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.  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.

Pest Project Management & Coordination

• Develop survey proposals, work plans, financial plans, accomplishment reports, technical reports, and other documents as required for all spongy moth projects and Asian defoliator surveys.

• Oversee state and federal program budgets. Create spending plan, approve purchases, review expenditures, review federal tracking, direct fund code allocations for timekeeping.
• Forecast invasive moth threats based on trapping results and designs detection response based on national program standards.
• Make recommendations to Eradication Coordinator, Managing Entomologist, and Pest Program Manager for control and eradication activities based on research and annual survey results.
• Evaluate techniques and technologies and serves as primary interpreter of scientific research for implementation in spongy moth projects.
• Run and analyze degree day phenology models to determine appropriate biological timing to conduct a successful eradication project.
• Assess feasibility of spongy moth eradication projects and assists with coordination of ground activities.
• Travel to infested sites to assess and evaluate pest populations and recommend control and survey options.

Seasonal Recruitment & Training

• Coordinate Seasonal work-force recruitment for entire Pest Program, including training of other Pest Program project managers on procedures, deadlines, and candidate evaluation.
• Hire and train new staff on agency and program processes and procedures. Including supervising permanent and non-permanent employees involved in conducting invasive moth field surveys and data reporting.
• Analyze results and make project recommendations.

Public & Stakeholder Communications

• Act as agency expert on invasive moth projects or issues. 
• Develop informational material and web content to support invasive moth project goals and activities. 
• Representative of WSDA Spongy Moth Program at the Spongy Moth Managers meetings, the Annual Lymantria Dispar Review, and other inter-agency meetings. Provide program activity updates to other state, provincial, and federal cooperators.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree involving a major study in a biological science or closely allied field.

• Four years experience in the design and implementation of survey protocols for the detection and management of pests and/or invasive species.
• One year of supervisory experience.
• Valid Driver license required.

• A Master’s degree in a biological science or closely allied field.
• Two years experience in detection, survey, control or eradication of pest or invasive species. 

• Equivalent education/experience.

• Working knowledge of GIS (Geographic information systems), Field Maps, Survey123, and National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS)/or similar federal data reporting systems.
• Ability to conduct work using Microsoft Office programs such as Outlook, Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. 
• Ability to interpret scientific protocols.
• Ability to work and make decisions independently in the field.
• Ability to act safely and decisively in the field.
• Ability to adapt to challenges to complete project objectives.
• Ability to encourage and maintain team cohesiveness.
• Ability to perform a variety of outdoor work in inclement weather.
• Ability to relay technical/scientific information to the public.

Other questions: If you have other questions regarding this position, duties, or qualifications, please reach out to Tiffany Pahs at T.Pahs@agr.wa.gov and reference job #2024-11229. 

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; 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. 

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.

· Three professional references 

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.

Equity at WSDA  

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

 
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.