Available Title(s):

570L-YN_CS_NPS - Plant Technician 3

Business Title:

Plant Technician 3

Employee Type:

Classified

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Position Details:

About the Unit:

The USDA ARS Western Regional Plant Introduction Station (WRPIS) within the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) is a plant genebank tasked with conserving and maintaining collections of crops and crop wild relatives important to US agriculture and rangeland management. We provide high quality seeds and propagules to plant breeders, geneticists, and other scientists to help create improved crop varieties for US and international farmers. The genetic diversity held within the collections of the WRPIS represent the solution to current and future challenges to agriculture from diseases, insects, a changing climate, and changing nutritional needs, all while reducing the inputs of water, fertilizers, and pesticides needed to maintain high yields.

Washington State University hires a team of field and technical staff to work in coordination with the WRPIS to support the NPGS mission to sustain and enhance plant genetic resources. WSU staff are supported by contributions of the 13 western land grants and integrate and work closely with USDA scientists to grow, evaluate, and distribute germplasm accessions and associated information. As a member of the NPGS staff, this position supports the WRPIS in the growing, maintaining, and harvesting of diverse plant species and collecting data associated with them in order to promote germplasm maintenance, improvement, and distribution.

Summary of Duties:

This position serves as skilled technical support to the Horticulture and Beta Crops Curator in the Department of Crop and Soil Sciences Plant Introduction Unit. Under the direction of the Curator, the Plant Technician will perform professional-level work in support of the mission of the USDA Western Regional Plant Introduction Station, using advanced skills and knowledge to perform the following tasks: plan, prepare, and maintain field plots for germplasm; do yearly equipment maintenance and repair; work in greenhouses and in field plots to monitor and manage germplasm regenerations; monitor plants for insect and disease pressures and apply pesticides when required; oversee and manage hourly employees with annual plant germinations, field transplanting and harvest of quality seed; and other duties as assigned. The Plant Technician will also be responsible for maintaining data and records electronically using Microsoft Office programs. This position must also be able to work and communicate with a diverse group of people including but not limited to curators, researchers, technicians, fellow support staff, and students through email, verbal, and other forms of communication.

Job Duties:

Greenhouse and Lab Maintenance and Management | 40%

• Use and help design protocols for germinating regeneration material of cultivars and wild relatives by following and modifying established protocols involving seed stratification, scarification, use of growth chambers, and hormone treatment.

• Transplant and maintain plants to maturity in a greenhouse setting. This includes but is not limited to preparing growing media for planting, watering pots, leading hourly employees, and fellow staff members through planting protocols, mixing fertilizer solutions according to plant conditions and apply fertilizer at required intervals.

• Prevent cross-pollination and contamination of crops by managing plant isolation, bagging of plants and attention to harvest separation.

• Monitor maturity of plants and harvest high quality seed through timely harvests, hand pollination when necessary, and communication with other technician and program curator.

• Assist in maintaining an organized and clean greenhouse environment by removing weeds and plant debris, washing floors, and limiting soil accumulation when needed.

• Obtain pesticide applicators license and apply pesticides when required.

• Daily monitor greenhouse plants for insects and pathogens and inform the curator of pest pressure and recommend management solutions in a timely manner.

• Mix and manage inventory of chemicals and stock solutions in a lab setting.

• Operate and maintain lab equipment for use in virus testing.

• Sample plant tissue for use in virus management within the collection.

• Observation & Application of Safety procedures for the above.

• Communicate with Supervisor, USDA ARS researchers & curators, technicians, and students in the greenhouse in a professional manner at all times.

Field Plot and Plant Maintenance | 35%

• Assist in the planning of field nurseries.

• Transplant and maintain plants to maturity in a field setting. This includes but is not limited to hoeing plots, prepping growing media, watering plots, laying out and planting into field plots, harvesting seed, and leading hourly employees and fellow staff members through planting and harvesting protocols. Take the lead in transplanting of nurseries.

• Assist in keeping plants watered and plots weed free.

• Monitor plots for insects, pests, and pathogens. Work with farm staff at both the Pullman and Central Ferry Farms to plan spray applications and manage pest thresholds.

• Safely operate equipment such as harvesters, large vehicles, and small farm equipment.

• Supervise and oversee students working in the field.

• Communicate with Supervisor, USDA ARS researchers & curators, technicians, and students in the field in a professional manner at all times.

• Notify USDA ARS curator of plot conditions and help determine actions to be taken to ensure crop meets desired results.

Data Collection, Processing, and Records Management | 20%

• Assist in characterization, photographing and phenotyping of plots for accurate representation.

• Optimize photos for entry into the USDA-ARS GRIN database following established parameters.

• Consistently and accurately record regeneration data.

• Utilize Microsoft Office Suite for accurately tracking and managing plot and plant growing locations, growth, and harvest status.

• Maintain accurate records for pesticide applications.

Other Duties | 5%

Perform other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications:

• High school graduation or GED certificate; and four years of work experience in plant research, including one year in managing a major farming operation; OR equivalent education/experience.

• Must have, or be able to obtain, a WSDA Public Operator’s/Pesticide applicator’s License at time of hire.

• Must have, or able to obtain, a valid driver’s license by time of hire.

• Must have the ability to work in an outdoor environment for an entire work shift with exposure to hot and cold weather conditions.

• Experience as a Technician in production and/or a research setting.

• Proficient with a computer and related programs for work (Outlook, Word, Excel, & PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Associate Degree in related field.

• Experience working with and knowledge of plant disease and soil nutrition symptoms.

• Experience working with tools and equipment required for equipment fabrication and repair.

• Experience with insects/pollinators.

• Experience with operation and maintenance of farm machinery. Experience with Pesticide mixing and applications.

• Experience with field irrigation.

Additional Information:

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human and Natural Resource Sciences (CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Crop and Soil Sciences

City, State, Zip:

Pullman, WA 99164

Department Link:

https://css.wsu.edu/

Monthly Salary:

Range 42, $3,537.00 - $4,723.00 (Steps A - M) | Successful candidates typically begin at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes: paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation and optional supplemental retirement accounts.

For a more detailed summary of benefits offered by WSU for classified staff visit: https://hrs.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/2023-Benefit-Overview-for-Civil-Service.pdf .

Find total compensation here: https://hrs.wsu.edu/managers/recruitment-toolkit/total-compensation/.

Overtime Eligibility:

Overtime Eligible

FTE:

100%

This is a Permanent position

Posting Close Date:

Applicants must submit their completed application by October 31, 2023 at 11:59 p.m.

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Application Instructions:

Please upload all documents in the “Resume/CV” section of your application. Documents may be submitted in one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible . Applicants will be requested to provide contact information for professional references within the online application.

Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

Required Documents:

1) Resume

2) Cover Letter

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EDUCATOR AND EMPLOYER. Members of ethnic minorities, women, special disabled veterans, veterans of the Vietnam-era, recently separated veterans, and other protected veteran, persons of disability and/or persons age 40 and over are encouraged to apply.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.