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 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.

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Nursery & Export Specialist position within the Plant Protection Division. This position is approved for a home duty station in Kitsap, Pierce, and South King County and is a Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) represented.

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: $55,224 Step A - $72,552 Step L annually.

Duties

As a Nursery & Export Specialist you will use your strong communication skills and attention to detail while conducting field and/or facility inspections at agriculture related establishments. Using your training and knowledge of State and Federal regulations you will conduct inspections and ensure quarantine compliance for stakeholders shipping to domestic and foreign customers. While maintaining a positive relationship with stakeholders, you will seek compliance through education and on-site enforcement, assisting businesses in identifying a course of action to resolve freedom from pest issues.

Include, but are not limited to:

• Independently identify violations, interpret and apply federal, state and foreign
  quarantine law, and perform onsite enforcement actions.
• Conduct periodic facility and growing site inspections to verify pest freedom.
• Represent the agency at hearings and meetings regarding environmental protection
  of natural and agricultural lands.
• Interpret and explain complex state and foreign regulations to stakeholders,
  gaining their compliance.
• Develop, plan and conduct environmental surveys for multiple pests of
  concern in nurseries, growing locations, export sites and natural lands.
• Conduct export inspections and issue phytosanitary certificates for domestic or foreign shipments of plant material.
• Evaluate data for technical compliance with regulatory requirements,
  determining pest occurrence or freedom statewide
• Manage state compliance agreements and audit-based certification programs.
• Represents agency at public meetings, hearings, and workshops promoting
  pest exclusion, agricultural stewardship, and environmental safeguarding.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree in entomology, plant pathology, botany, agronomy, horticulture,

• Two ( 2 ) years’ professional experience in environmental or agricultural regulation.

• Knowledge of principles of environmental protection for regulated sites, including techniques of field sampling, testing, data gathering, basic research and field investigations; applicable state and federal plant protection regulations and policies.
• Ability to use sound, independent judgement in making decisions on environmental protection through enforcing quarantines; understand and interpret plans, maps and equipment specifications; prepare clear and concise written reports and make oral presentations; analyze and prepare plans and reports; understand and communicate complex environmental quarantines and regulations; communicate effectively with agency staff, other agencies, industry and the general public.
• A valid driver's license

• Current designation as an ACO (Authorized Certifying Official) by USDA-APHIS under the Federal-State export certification program to issue phytosanitary certificates is highly desirable.

Supplemental Information

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.

• Current resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
• Three professional references

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.