Plant Protection Specialist

Job Description:

Plant Protection Specialist

Description

Job Location: Jefferson City, MO

Why you’ll love this position:

The Plant Pest Control Program helps facilitate trade for Missouri agricultural businesses and protects Missouri’s agricultural resources from exotic and invasive pests. Program staff oversee annual certification and inspection of nurseries and greenhouses, and surveys for early detection of pests that threaten Missouri’s agricultural and forest resources. The program also certifies Missouri plant commodities for export and certifies honeybees for interstate shipment. The Missouri Department of Agriculture, Plant Industries Division, Plant Pest Control Program has a full-time, benefited position located in Jefferson City, Missouri.

The salary indicated represents the current regular pay rate for this position. If the individual selected is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., Years of Service), it will be added to total compensation on their paycheck. A pay differential does not raise base pay.

• Facilitate export certification work, including communicating with other field staff and exporters, determining export requirements, issuing certificates, and daily oversite of a senior office support assistant assigned to this area.
• Issue compliance agreements for Japanese beetle, European corn borer and others.
• Assist with tracking and data management during state and federal traceforward events.
• Assist with federal post-entry quarantine permit and inspection tracking.
• Assist with emerald ash borer bio-control releases and noxious weed communications.
• Conduct nursery, export and other inspections as time allows.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university with emphasis in Plant Pathology, Horticulture, Forestry or Entomology, AND 2-4 years of relevant experience.
• Valid MO Driver's License
• Required: Exceptional written and oral communication skills, ability to use laptop computer and software, willing to travel for in-state and out of state meetings and some field work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Attention to detail
• Able to meet deadlines
• Ability to work well independently and in a team environment

Benefits :

• 3 weeks paid vacation; 3 weeks paid sick leave; 13 paid holidays
• Health (medical, dental, vision) and free life insurance
• Retirement
• Up to $75/month match on savings plan
• 6 weeks paid leave for birth or adoption

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

hr@mda.mo.gov

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Salary:

$47,933.28 per Year