Salary: $55,872.00 – $75,120.00 Annually
Location: Benton County – Prosser, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Job Number: 2022-17600
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. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Plant Services Program ensures environmental, consumer, and stakeholder protection by independently conducting accurate and reliable inspections, testing, and certification of raw plant products and serves on the front line of defense against the introduction and spread of exotic plant pests and diseases. Through regulatory enforcement, export certification and planting stock certification programs, Plant Services ensures a consistent source of value added agricultural products are available to our trading partners in domestic and foreign markets. The activity of this position contributes to the export of agricultural goods from Washington State in excess of $1 Billion annually.

The State Nematologist identifies plant and soil infesting nematodes in submitted samples of raw agricultural products. These findings determine the eligibility of agricultural products for export to foreign countries, the status of WSDA certified seed lots or the eligibility of planting stock for inclusion in the state fruit tree certification program. This position is part of the Plant Services Program, Fruit Tree Certification Project, housed at Prosser, Washington, which provides inspection and testing services to fruit tree nursery growers, to certify plant materials are virus tested and apparently free from graft transmissible pathogens.

Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time State Nematologist position within the Plant Services Program. This position is located in Prosser, 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: $55,872  Step A – $ 73,260 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; 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.

Duties
Include but not limited to:

• Analyze soil and plant samples submitted and accurately identify all nematodes present. Reporting all findings of quarantine nematode species to the Fruit Tree project leader and program manager, providing technical analysis of emerging pest threats.
• Run the nematology lab, using the PISCES database for sample tracking and results, reporting. Ensure results are accurately and timely reported to inspectors and grower clients. 
• Maintain lab equipment and facilities, developing SOPs for sanitation, safety and other processes. 
• Develop new techniques and testing protocols for use in the program. Communicate with researchers and regulators nationally, attending conferences to share nematology developments. 
• Travel to field locations to lead field staff in sample collection, and greenhouse or field indexing activities, and assessing possible viral symptoms. 
• Oversee and conduct ELISA testing, biological testing and molecular detection of plant disease viruses. 
• Maintain greenhouse facilities and equipment, ensuring environmental conditions that are most conducive to virus detection. 
• Direct staff in the propagation and grafting of indexing materials, to detect viral symptoms. 
• Run ELISA tests and molecular tests as needed to confirm negative results. 

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

• A master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Plant Pathology or a related field.

• Two years’ experience in plant pest detection.
• The ability to obtain a valid driver’s license.

Desired Qualifications:

• Four years’ experience in nematode taxonomy/detection and experience with fruit tree virus survey.

• Equivalent education or professional experience.

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.

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/3838766/state-nematologist