Rice Experiment Station
P. O. Box 306
iggs, California 95917-0306
Telephone: 530-868-5481
Fax: 530-868-1730
ricestation@crrf.org
https://www.crrf.org/

The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation, Inc. (CCRRF) is seeking candidates to interview for the position of Director of the Rice Experiment Station (RES).

The Director will oversee operations at the 500 acre facility located near Biggs, California whose primary mission is to develop improved rice varieties for California rice production. RES operates two major organizational units, the RES Rice Breeding Program and corresponding RES Foundation Seed Production. In addition, RES supports rice research at the facility for research scientists from the University of California. This individual will also represent the foundation, growers, and the California rice industry on industry, state, and national committees providing scientific perspective and expertise as well as to the government and public.

The facility is located 60 miles north of the State Capital Sacramento, neighboring cities include Chico (22 miles) and Oroville (13 miles).

CCRRF is a non-profit grower owned and funded foundation. The 11 member Board of Directors are rice growers elected by the membership, and serve without compensation. The CCRRF also includes two non-voting members, one from the California Rice Research Board (the funding board) and a liaison of the University of California. They meet approximately 5 times per year, approving an annual budget, capital expenditures, and any new variety releases. They annually review the RES Rice Breeding Program and set policies. There is also a separate Rice Research Trust at RES that supports the RES Rice Breeding Program activities.

The RES Director serves as Secretary to the CCRRF and the Rice Research Trust. RES has operated continuously since its founding in 1912 at the original location. An accelerated rice breeding effort was initiated in 1969 with the initiation of the grower research assessment (rice check-off) providing expanded and continuing stable support for rice varietal development and research for the California rice industry. This and other funding continues to enable improvement in facilities and technology in support of the breeding program.

The RES Rice Breeding Program has released 50 new cultivars including 10 different market types since 1969. RES varieties are estimated to account for >90% of California’s rice production. The high productivity and quality of RES rice varieties have earned California rice worldwide recognition and RES is considered a cornerstone of the California rice industry.

Position and Responsibilities

The RES Director serves as the chief executive officer for CCRRF and the Rice Experiment Station and is responsible for and providing support to staff, operations of the breeding and seed production units, budgeting and business activities, cooperative relationships, and reporting to the Board and membership.

• RES Staff Rice Breeding Program Director of Plant Breeding, 2 Plant Breeders, and a Research Scientist 5 Plant Breeding Assistants, DNA Lab Technician, Casual Seasonal Labor (15) Foundation Seed Program & Field and Facilities Field Supervisor, Mechanic and Operator, 2 Maintenance & Operators Administrative Support Executive Assistant
• Secretary for the CCRRF Board of Directors Schedule meetings, prepare agenda, and communicate policies and actions. Schedule and submit materials for audits, retirement plan administrator, financial and investment reporting Provide strategic vision and direction for RES to Board
• Secretary for Rice Research Trust Schedule meetings, prepare agenda, capital expenditure proposals, investment reporting, annual fundraising (brochure and mailing) and donor recognition
• Director of RES- Oversees operations Staff- Recruitment, hiring, promotion, discipline, salary, supervision Facilities- Repair and maintenance and infrastructure improvement Breeding Program- Support, oversight, review, reporting to Board, Annual Report Annual budget and salaries for Board review and approval Annual Rice Field Day
• Foundation Seed Program Variety production, variety retirement, field assignment and rotation, herbicide application, inspection and rogueing, seed cleaning, California Crop Improvement Association application/allocations, seed lab testing Licensing -Seed growers and acreage and production reporting
• Intellectual Property PVP application, Utility patent and licensing (through attorney), Material Transfer Agreements  
• Representation to Industry and Public California Rice Commission (CRC) Rice Certification Committee, CRC Research and Technology Committee; USA Rice Committees Environmental Regulatory Committee, Sustainability Taskforce, Marketability Committee California Rice Research Board- University of California Davis and UC Cooperative Extension Cooperators Other Group Interactions Pest Control Advisors and Ag Organizations, Butte County Ag Commissioner, California Department of Food and Agriculture, USDA- ARS, Richvale Irrigation District/Water groups, Rice Technical Working Group, Temperate Rice Consortium, Temperate Rice Research Consortium (international group), California Rice Marketing Organizations, Visitors

Qualification and Selection Criteria

• Doctoral Degree in Agriculture, Plant Breeding/ Genetics/ Plant Protection, or Seed Technology with a minimum of 8 years post- Ph.D. relevant work experience
• Experience with rice production and research Previous team management and motivation experience
• The proven ability to perform in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment
• A strategic thinker with excellent communication, organizational and analytic skills being able to communicate with a wide range of constituents including growers, scientists, business, government, and the public
• Leadership skills, such as the ability to engage and empower others; the ability to recognize team efforts and foster an enabling environment; a leader who demonstrates knowledge sharing and seeks continuous improvement

Application

Interested applicants should submit the following:
i) a letter of application expressing interest and qualifications,
ii) curriculum vitae,
iii) a one page summary of research, leadership, and administrative experience,
iv) a list of publications, and
v) names, addresses (including e-mail), and telephone numbers of four references to:

Dr. Kent S. McKenzie
Director, Rice Experiment Station
P.O. Box 306
Biggs, CA 95917-0306

TEL: 530-868-5481
FAX: 530-868-1730
ksmckenzie@crrf.org 

Consideration of applicants will begin August 1, 2019.