Assistant Insect Jobs in West Virginia (NOW HIRING)

West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Job Title: Slow the Spread (STS) Program Coordinator / Regional Supervisor (INTERNAL CANDIDATES ONLY)

Division: Plant Industries

Headquarters: Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV

Supervisor Responsibility: Yes

FSLA Status: Non-Exempt

The STS Program Coordinator / Regional Supervisor is responsible for all Slow the Spread related activities and for the supervision of all subordinate full-time and part-time staff in their respective region. This position supports staff by planning, organizing, implementing and evaluating all facets of the Slow the Spread Program including the STS Regulatory Program.

Examples of Work

• Coordinate all activities related to the Spongy Moth STS program.
• Plan, organize, manage, and execute large-scale spongy moth control projects.
• Assign, review and approve work of subordinates.
• Evaluate performance, recommend advancement or disciplinary action, and respond to employee issues.
• Assist with regulatory actions including Lumber and Log inspections.
• Prepare Environmental Assessments, Biological Evaluations, Work Plans, Project Safety Plans, Aviation Safety Plans, Grant Narratives and Program Scoping Assessments.
• Maintain Administrative Records for all spongy moth projects.
• Provide administrative and management direction and support to program staff on a continuous basis, including the scheduling of spongy moth inspections.
• Prepare suppression contracts and conduct contract negotiations.
• Serve as the WVDA spongy moth project liaison with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Analyze survey, treatment, and control data.
• Assist with the review of program strategies, impacts, and alternatives.
• Recommend and review policies and procedures related to the spongy moth program.
• Supervise and participate in spongy moth and forest insect and disease surveys and control projects throughout the state to detect the presence of spongy moth and other invasive pests and disease.
• Provide insect and disease identification, control information, advice, and technical assistance on the safe and proper use of pesticides used in urban and rural forest environments to landowners, extension agents and other agency personnel.
• Train project personnel on spongy moth survey protocol, detection methods, treatment monitoring database entry, GIS data entry, insect survey, and control methods.
• Review report and technical literature and interpret research results.
• Prepare and present written news releases to radio and television programs.
• Conduct oral presentations to civic groups, schools and garden clubs.
• Prepare informational brochures.
• Prepare reports for publication in scientific journals.
• Review subordinate staff’s time, grant reports, weekly activity reports, expense accounts, data collection reports, and other staff paperwork as required.
• Prepare written weekly, quarterly and annual reports and maintain records.
• Represent the Department at meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions

Standing, sitting, driving, walking, operating a computer, outside work, exposure to inclement weather and lifting up to 50 pounds.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations pertaining to large-scale forest pest management projects and other plant pest regulations of product movements.
• Knowledge of the objectives of the Department, its procedures, policies, rules, and relationship of the Division to the rest of the agency.
• Knowledge of gypsy moth biology and the application of gypsy moth survey and control technology.
• Knowledge of forest insects and diseases, dendrology, and forest insect and disease control methodology and its application.
• Proficient in the use of handheld GPS devices.
• Familiar with the use of Microsoft Access, Excel, Word, Power Point, Outlook, and DGPS guidance system software (AgNav, Satloc).
• Skilled in the use of USGS topographic maps, Aircraft Sectional Maps, Aerial Photos.
• Demonstrates seasoned skills in oral and written communications.
• Ability to organize, manage, and execute large-scale forest pest management projects.
• Ability to make decisions, organize work, meet with the general public, and clearly explain the gypsy moth program and forest insect and disease projects to the general public and local, state and federal officials.
• Ability to analyze and incorporate the results of research into operational use and interpret these results for the general public.
• Ability to supervise the work of subordinate personnel.
• Ability to work independently in the field for an extended period.

Qualifications Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in biology, forestry, or a related field.

Experience

Three years of full-time paid employment in a field closely related to the areas of assignment.

Additional Requirements

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the State of West Virginia.

This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner and designees.

West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.