Salary: $3,558.00 – $3,915.00 Monthly
Location: Multiple Locations – Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Non-Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Job Number: 2023-03229
Closing: 3/26/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

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. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Pest Program is hiring five (5) full-time non-permanent Pest Survey Field Supervisors in Western, WA!

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.

Spongy moth is one of the most destructive forest insect pests introduced into North America posing a tremendous threat to the health of Washington’s forests, parks, and even neighborhood trees. Since 1974, the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been monitoring for spongy moth and eradicating introductions of the pest when necessary. Thanks to the efforts of our seasonal survey crew and the cooperation and support of the public, there are currently no established populations of spongy moth in our state.

The Pest Survey Field Supervisor will be responsible for managing a team of 4 – 6 insect pest trappers: hiring, training, and managing day to day activities. Each trapper will be responsible for assembling, placing, monitoring, and removing up to 1,000 insect traps within a designated area; field supervisors will be monitoring the placement and corresponding data for each trap placed by their team of trappers. A state vehicle is provided for survey duties. Field supervisors will be responsible for the safe and legal operation of their vehicles, effective placement, and servicing of all traps in their area of responsibility and maintaining good public relations. Some positions may require occasional overnight travel with travel expenses (lodging and meals) being reimbursed.

Duration
The pest survey field supervisor positions are temporary positions that are expected to last six months and begin April 17. Field supervisors typically work full time Monday through Thursday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with a one-hour break for lunch.

There will be a mandatory two-day orientation for supervisors on the first two days of employment and an additional two-day orientation for trappers in late May-early June depending on geographical location. Field supervisors are required to be active participants in both sessions. Employees will be issued a state vehicle and receive training and supplies at orientation.

Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for five (5) full-time non-permanent Pest Survey Field Supervisor positions within the Plant Protection Division. These are field based positions located in Clark, King, Pierce, Skagit, Thurston and Whatcom County, WA. These are non-represented positions. 

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: $3,558 Step I – $3,821 Step L monthly. 

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.

Duties
Some of what you’ll do:  

  • Provide team field support.
  • Place insect detection traps at required densities and by program deadlines in assigned geographical location. 
  • Collection of data points with minimal margin of error. 
  • Monitor traps effectively in assigned geographical location.
  • Perform quality control per survey guidelines.
  • Report suspect moths immediately. 
  • Place additional response traps as directed. 
  • Train and supervise temporary personnel in assigned invasive moth survey projects. 
  • Make contact with property owners to inform them of project goals and objectives and to solicit permission to place traps.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:  

  • A Bachelor’s degree in entomology, plant pathology, natural or biological sciences, or closely allied field.
OR
  • Equivalent education/experience.
AND
  • A valid driver license.

Desired Qualifications:  

  • Previous experience with the Invasive Moth Program or other Pest Program survey.
  • Previous experience conducting scientific field work and data collection.
  • Previous supervisory or team lead experience.
  • Willingness and ability to work in outdoor settings and driving long distances each day.

Physical Requirements:

  • Ability to transport up to 25 pounds by hand.
  • Ability to drive on all kinds of roads up to 300 miles per day. The ability to get in and out of a vehicle up to 100 times per day.
  • Ability to quickly and efficiently navigate to and move to survey sites (50-­100 per day) within a designated route to set, monitor, and remove traps under various weather conditions and terrain.

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:

· A letter of interest describing why you would like this job and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3943088/pest-survey-field-supervisor-multiple-positions

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.

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. 

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.

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.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3943088/pest-survey-field-supervisor-multiple-positions

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