Salary: $42,696.00 – $57,324.00 Annually
Location: Yakima County – Yakima, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Job Number: 2023-01320
Closing: Continuous
Description
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work.
The Plant Protection Division is hiring a Pest Biologist in their Pest Program!
The Pest Program conducts surveys, diagnostics and control activities for pests and diseases of important agricultural commodities throughout Washington State. Pest Program employees conduct surveys for northern giant hornet, Japanese beetle, spongy moth, apple maggot, Phytophthora ramorum, Spartina and other invasive insect pests, diseases, and noxious weeds. Some employees work in the Plant Pest and Molecular Diagnostics Lab, or the Entomology labs in Olympia or Yakima to provide diagnostics of survey samples. Others assist with control and eradication efforts for northern, giant hornet, Japanese beetle, spongy moth, invasive snails, Spartina and knotweed. Regardless of the threat, Pest program employees use cutting edge technology, scientific processes, and teamwork to protect some of Washington’s most valuable agricultural crops.
The Pest Biologist conducts, coordinates, and organizes biological and technical aspects of the apple maggot survey program under the supervision of the Pest Biologist 3. This position assists and coordinates activities of three Agricultural Aides in extraction, microscopic examination, and dissections of suspect flies to confirm and photo-document the identity of apple maggot and other tree fruit pests. Furthermore, the Pest Biologist assists a team of seasonal Agricultural Technicians, Agricultural Aides and a Pest Biologist 2 in the field to manage, select, then map trap and host sites, and accurately record trap catches of apple maggot and other fruit tree pests.
Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time Pest Biologist position within the Pest Program in the Plant Protection Division. This position is located in Yakima, Washington, and is represented by Washington Federation of State Employees.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $42,696 Step A – $55,872 Step L annually.
In addition to the salary listed above, incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend. If a position is designated as requiring dual language skills, incumbents will also receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits.
- State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
Duties
Some of what you will do:
- Conducts field and laboratory operations involving survey and monitoring with the Apple Maggot Program
- Work with other pest biologists and seasonal project staff in fulfilling the goals of the apple maggot survey program.
- Conduct surveys of apple maggot and other invasive tree fruit pests locally within Yakima and adjacent counties.
- Schedule, coordinate, and survey of apple maggot and other invasive tree fruit pests statewide.
- Provide identification of apple maggot and other flies in the family Tephritidae.
- Capture photo documentation of these flies and other invasive tree fruit pests.
- Ensure survey work is conducted per agency standards and in compliance with any quarantines.
- Help determine equipment and supply needs for laboratory diagnosis and the field surveys.
- Utilizing/upgrading electronic technologies
- Assist in the planning of data collection and mapping.
- Participate in mapping processes and procedures.
- Facilitate in proper usage of hand-held electronic mapping and communications technologies.
- Assist with data quality.
- Participates in the hiring and training of seasonal employees
- Assist with employee interviews.
- Prepare and/or update survey protocols.
- Participate in safety training.
- Prepare procedural manuals for seasonal employees.
- Technical writing, communication and outreach
- Update work plans, summaries of accomplishments.
- Provide annual and periodic apple maggot reports.
- Draft written protocols for seasonal employees.
- Draft In-house communications with other WSDA personnel, and programs.
- Assist in the development of grants, budgets.
- Attend and speaks at professional meetings.
- Interact and communicates with stakeholders, residents and property owners to maintain and increase awareness of WSDA mission and invasive pest issues.
Qualifications
- Bachelors degree involving a major study of a biological or environmental science, or closely allied field.
-AND-
- Two years experience in detection survey or management of invasive pests.
- Graduate level education may be substituted for experience on a year for year basis.
- Obtain and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
Preferred / Desired Qualifications
- Taxonomic experience with insects or other biological organisms (including college course work).
- Experience with computer mapping software, electronic devices, database management.
- Prior experience in a related program position.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Behaviors
- Ability to work collaboratively with others.
- Willingness to work independently outdoors in rural or semi-rural settings even in inclement weather.
- Willingness to spend long hours looking through microscopes and photographing insects.
- Ability to relay and communicate tactfully and confidently technical or scientific information to the public and other stakeholders.
- Must have reliable attendance.
- Must possess gross and fine motor abilities sufficient to manipulate, maneuver, adjust and control small objects with coordination, such as entering data on iPhone and manipulate a computer keyboard.
- Possess sufficient judgement and reasoning skills to recognize and correct errors as they occur.
How to apply
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
· Current resume detailing experience and education
· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
To Apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3885420/pest-biologist-apple-maggot
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
Applications with comments “see attachments” will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state’s on-line recruitment system.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes and should be requested a minimum of (7) seven days prior to the first day of employment. Accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
Veteran’s Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
To Apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3885420/pest-biologist-apple-maggot
