Salary: $46,817.00 - $81,930.00 Annually

Location : Remote, NC

Job Type: Permanent Full-Time

Remote Employment: Remote Only

Job Number: 24-09183-60012541

Department: Dept of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Division: Agriculture Consumer Service

Opening Date: 08/23/2024

Closing Date: 9/9/2024 5:00 PM Eastern

Job Class Title: Agricultural Program Specialist I

Position Number: 60012541

Section: Plant Industry Division

Salary Grade: NC13

Recruitment Range: $46,817-$50,000

Description of Work

This is a readvertisement. ALL previous applicants must reapply.

"If there are no qualified candidates remaining in the applicant pool who meet the minimum education and experience or knowledge, skills and abilities required for the position then, an applicant who does not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for hire as a trainee. Salary for a trainee may be set lower than the classification salary range and recruitment range that is listed in the posting. The salary is adjusted as the trainee obtains the additional education and experience to fully meet the position qualifications as outlined in the classification specification."

The mission of the Plant Industry Division is to protect the state's agriculture and natural environment from introduced plant pests, including insects, diseases, and noxious weeds and to protect our state's endangered and threatened plants and to ensure seed and fertilizer and other soil additives offered for sale in North Carolina meet prescribed standards and are truthfully labeled.

The Plant Pest Specialist is responsible for implementing pest risk mitigation strategies including plant pest quarantines, point of origin inspections, pest-free areas, certification and permitting, and administration of compliance agreements within an assigned work area. The position conducts nursery inspections, nursery dealer inspections, aquatic dealer inspections, along with the implementation of all plant certification programs including the management of export certification requirements and issuance of Federal Phytosanitary Certificates. The position is responsible for the implementation of all insects, disease and weed programs, including trapping, monitoring and eradication/control responsibilities. This position, in compliance with outlined regulations, issues certificates or permits as necessary for the movement of regulated articles. This position serves as a technical consultant and liaison between producers, agribusiness, extension, and the general public in order to solve plant pest regulatory problems. Region 11 Plant Pest Specialist oversees all plant regulatory programs in the following counties: Rockingham, Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, and Randolph. Applicant may reside in an adjoining county.

Applicant must obtain their pesticide applicators license within one year of hire.

Applicant must become a USDA-APHIS-PPQ Authorized Certifying Official (ACO) within prescribed USDA allocated timeline.

Applicant must become a NCNLA Certified Plant Professional within 18 months of hire.

Selected candidate must reside in, or be willing to move at their own expense, to Rockingham, Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, Randolph.

Click Here to Learn more about State Employee Benefits

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provide services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

Click Here to Watch this video to Learn How to Apply.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience requirements, are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. We will not review resumes in lieu of Experience and Education listed on the application.

To qualify for this position, applicants must document on the application that they possess ALL of the following:

• Ability to learn and effectively interpret state and federal laws relating to plant pests.
• Knowledge of the principles of entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and horticulture.
• Ability to identify plant pests and to provide control measures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the nursery industry and the agricultural community, the general public and extension staff.
• Ability to work independently and to function as an effective team member.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

You may qualify by an equivalent combination of education and experience, either through years of education or years of directly related experience, or a combination of both.

Bachelor's degree in entomology, plant pathology or horticulture with an emphasis on pest management, crop science or closely related biological science from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of plant inspection/specialist experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Supplemental and Contact Information

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience.
Please follow instructions to apply on-line. It is important that your application includes all of your relevant education and experience. Text or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application.

Applicants seeking veteran's/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22.

All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety sensitive positions and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing. All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment. If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.

*Note: When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete.*

Questions regarding this posting? Contact 919-707-3201.

NOTE: For temporary, contract or other supplemental staffing appointments:
There are no paid leave, retirement or other benefits associated with these appointment types.

For permanent and time-limited appointments:
Eligible employees have benefits that include employee health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, NC Flex (a variety of high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis), and paid vacation, sick, and community service leave, to name a few. Paid parental leave is available for eligible employees. Some benefits require 30 + hours work/week for participation.

01

Do you currently reside or are you willing to relocate at your own expense to one of the following counties: Rockingham, Caswell, Forsyth, Guilford, Alamance, or Randolph?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you have knowledge of the principles of entomology, plant pathology, weed science, and horticulture? If you answer yes to this question, you MUST include your knowledge on your application under duties to qualify for this position.

• Yes
• No

03

Have you ever been convicted of an offense against the law other than a minor traffic violation? (A conviction does not mean you cannot be hired. The offense and how recently you were convicted will be evaluated in relation to the position for which you are applying.)

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered "yes" that you have been convicted of an offense against the law other than a minor traffic violation, please explain the nature of the conviction and the date. If you answered "no" enter NA.

05

To the best of your knowledge, have you or a company that you have worked for been given a warning letter, civil penalty, notice of violation or a settlement agreement by the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or one of its divisions while you were employed with that company?

• Yes
• No

06

If you answered "yes" to the previous question, please explain the nature of the warning letter, civil penalty, notice of violation or settlement agreement, the date, and how it was resolved if you have knowledge of that information. If you answered "no" enter NA.

Required Question