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 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.

Position and Salary Information

WSDA is recruiting for four (4) full-time non-permanent Pest Survey Field Supervisor positions within the Plant Protection Division. These are field based positions located in 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: $3,700 Step I – $3,974 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. 

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; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program. 

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

 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.

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

Required Qualifications:  

• A Bachelor’s degree in entomology, plant pathology, natural or biological sciences, or closely allied field.

• Equivalent education/experience.

• A valid driver license.

• 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.

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.
     

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.