Plant Protection Specialist

Kansas Department of Agriculture: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

About the Position:

• Who can apply: External and Internal
• Classified/Unclassified Service: Unclassified
• Full/Part-time: Full-Time
• Work Schedule: Days
• Eligible to Receive Benefits: Yes
• Veteran Preference Eligible: Yes
• Disability Preference Eligible: Yes

Compensation:

• Annual Salary: $49,500/Year
• Hourly Pay: $23.80/Hour

Employment Benefits:

• Comprehensive medical, mental, dental, vision, and additional coverage
• Sick & Vacation leave
• Work-Life Balance programs: parental leave, military leave, jury leave, funeral leave
• Paid State Holidays (designated by the Governor annually)
• Fitness Centers in select locations
• Employee discounts with the STAR Program
• Retirement and deferred compensation programs

Visit the Employee Benefits page for more information…

Position Summary & Responsibilities:

This position will remain posted until filled.

Location: Candidates must live in one of the following counties in Kansas or be willing to relocate to the assigned area: Barber, Butler, Comanche, Cowley, Edwards, Harper, Harvey, Kingman, Kiowa, Pratt, Reno, Sedgwick, Stafford or Sumner.

The Kansas Department of Agriculture is seeking a dedicated public servant to serve as the South Central Plant Protection Specialist in the Plant Protection and Weed Control program.

Responsibilities of the position include:

Inspect plants, plant products and agricultural seed for exporters of plants and plant products, live plant dealers and seed dealers to ensure compliance with statutes and other regulatory requirements. Communicate with clients, provide direction for mitigation of pests or other non-compliance concerns as needed, and issue necessary documentation.

Conduct surveys for plant pests and perform other pest detection activities in dealer facilities, production fields and other high risk locations. Collect, evaluate and report on distribution of pests.

Initiate appropriate enforcement actions for live plant dealers, seed dealers and other clients when violations of applicable statutes and/or other regulations are encountered. Provide program and/or enforcement support to associated government agencies.

Occasional overnight travel is required.

Maintain records of inspection and pest detection activities through program database. Utilize GPS tracking systems.

Work in variable weather and site conditions, traverse non-uniform terrain and operate an ATV/UTV for certain field inspections. Activities may occasionally require working from heights or in confined spaces.

Complete work with minimal daily supervision, utilize regular independent judgment and discretion to accomplish assigned duties, maintain a high level of technical expertise through continuing education, work independently in the field and develop creative solutions when the need arises.

Qualifications:

• Professionally minded individuals with four years experience of plant protection regulatory activities in agronomy, entomology, plant pathology, horticulture, weed science, or related field is preferred. Candidates may also qualify through a combination of relevant education, work experience, training or certification.
• Ability to obtain certification with USDA-APHIS-PPQ to complete export commodity certification inspections and issue federal export certification documents.
• This position must perform routine office tasks such as sitting, reading, examining documents, and viewing a computer for long periods of time.
• This position requires the physical dexterity that permits standing, kneeling, bending, and stretching, and climbing up and down steps, and lifting objects.
• Employee is required have a valid Class C (or higher) Kansas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state. Employee is responsible to maintain an acceptable driving record to safely drive state vehicle and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with this position.

Post-Offer/Pre-employment Requirements:

Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate: A valid Kansas Tax Clearance Certificate is a condition of employment for all employees of the State of Kansas. Applicants (including non-residents) who receive a formal job offer for a State job, are required to obtain a valid Tax Clearance within ten (10) days of the job offer. A Tax Clearance can be obtained through the Kansas Department of Revenue who reviews individual accounts for compliance with Kansas Tax Law.

If you have a missing tax return(s) or you owe taxes to the State of Kansas, please know that the Kansas Department of Revenue will work with you. The Kansas Department of Revenue can set you up on a payment plan to receive a Tax Clearance so you can get a job working for the State of Kansas. The Kansas Department of Revenue can be contacted at 785-296-3199. Kansas Department of Revenue - Tax Clearance Frequently Asked Questions

Recruiter Contact Information:

• Name: Alyssa Satterthwaite
• Email: Alyssa.Satterthwaite@ks.gov
• Phone: (785) 564-6713
• Fax: (785) 564-6777
• Mailing Address: 1320 Research Park Drive, Manhattan, KS 66502

Required Documents for this Application to be Complete:

• On the My Job Applications page, verify these documents are present and valid. Upload or delete and replace if needed.
  • DD214 (if you are claiming Veteran’s Preference)
• Inside your Job Application, upload the these documents:
  • Resume (or choose existing resume if you have one)
  • Cover Letter

Job Application Process

• Sign in to your existing account or Register for a new account.
• Review and complete your contact information on the My Contact Information page.
• Upload documents listed in the Required Documents section of this job posting to the appropriate location.
• Complete and submit your application.
• Check your email and My Job Notifications for written communications from the Recruiter.
  • Email - the email listed on the Careers>My Contact Information page.
  • Notifications - view the Careers>My Job Notifications page.

See the helpful links below to assist in completing your application:

Instructions:

• Job Search
• Registration & User Account
• Application
• Frequently Asked Questions

How to Claim Veterans Preference

Veterans' Preference Eligible (VPE): Former military personnel or their spouse that have been verified as a "veteran"; under K.S.A. 73-201 will receive an interview if they meet the minimum competency factors of the position. The veterans' preference laws do not guarantee the veteran a job. Positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determine by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Veteran’s Preference

How to Claim Disability Hiring Preference

Applicants that have physical, cognitive and/or mental disabilities may claim an employment preference when applying for positions. If they are qualified to meet the performance standards of the position, with or without a reasonable accommodation, they will receive an interview for the position. The preference does not guarantee an applicant the job, as positions are filled with the best qualified candidate as determined by the hiring manager.

Learn more about claiming Disability Hiring Preference

PLEASE NOTE: The documentation verifying a person's eligibility for use of this preference should not be sent along with other application materials to the hiring agency but should be sent directly to OPS. These documents should be sent either by fax to (785)296-7712, scanned and emailed to Gustavo.Victoriano@ks.gov, or can be mailed/delivered in person to:

ATTN: Disability Hiring Preference Coordinator
Office of Personnel Services
Landon State Office Building
900 SW Jackson, Rm 401
Topeka, KS 66612

Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of Kansas is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, political affiliation, disability or any other factor unrelated to the essential functions of the job.

If you wish to identify yourself as a qualified person with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act and would like to request an accommodation, please address the request to the agency recruiter.