Agricultural Water Efficiency Specalist

The Water Efficiency Specialist (WES) will provide on-farm, one-on-one assistance to farmers to help them improve water use efficiency and nutrient management. The WES will work with growers to improve irrigation practices, develop conservation plans, provide information on ways to maintain efficient irrigation systems and introduce growers to new technologies and best management practices relating to water efficiency. This work will in part be accomplished by performing a series of diagnostic tests to assess pump and irrigation efficiency (testing system pressure, uniformity, flow rate, etc), irrigation scheduling, and related water efficiency and nutrient management practices.  The Specialist will prepare reports to farmers summarizing their findings and recommendations as well as develop material and presentations to promote the water use efficiency program for the broader community. In addition, the WES will work with others to perform twice yearly groundwater monitoring, as part of required compliance under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA).  The WES will coordinate his/her work with a broad array of partner organizations and their staff.  Training will be provided if needed through the Irrigation Systems Evaluation Program at Cal Poly/SLO.  Desired qualifications include experience working in the Central Valley, experience operating a mobile irrigation lab, a modest degree of fluency in Spanish or other language spoken in the Central Valley, and possession of a Technical Services Provider certification or willingness to obtain one.  The candidate needs to be able to work in agricultural fields, sometimes in inclement weather and on uneven terrain, be able to lift 25-50 lbs on occasion, and be able to sit for long periods of time.