Christmas Tree Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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We're recruiting for a Natural Resource Specialist 2, if you have a horticultural background, great customer service skills and the ability to build relationships with internal and external customers, apply today.

Learn more about the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA):

At ODA, through inspection and certification, the Nursery and Christmas tree program sees that all licensed nursery and Christmas tree growers statewide adhere to federal and state laws, meet quarantine requirements of receiving states and countries and that imported stock is following quarantine compliance. Although this position is aimed primarily at Oregon's nursery and Christmas tree growers, it affects all segments of Oregon's agricultural and horticultural communities as well as natural resources in urban and rural environments. This program serves both regulatory and service functions within the agency. Learn more about what we do here!

What you'll be doing:

As a Natural Resource Specialist 2 you will serve the nursery industry along with a team of 12 inspectors across the state working to inspect, educate, provide certification services, inspect incoming products, check for invasive species, and ensure compliance with regulations. This position will involve field work up to 85% of the time working mainly in the Willamette Valley and will report to the Salem ODA office.In this position you will:

• Serve licensed nurseries and Christmas tree growers.

• Conduct inspections and surveys.

• Provide recommendations and directions for the exclusion, control, and eradication of injurious pests and weeds of economic interest to the nursery and Christmas tree industries.

• Assist Natural Resource Specialist 3 & 4 (NRS3/NRS4) staff and program leadership by supporting inspection documentation review, treatment verification, and compliance record evaluation.

• Enforce compliance of Oregon horticultural law, interstate, federal, and international plant quarantine import/export rules.

• Assist in preparation of inspection summaries, technical reports, or regulatory documentation used in administrative or legal proceedings. May assist NRS3 and NRS4 staff by compiling technical data and inspection findings used to support regulatory determinations or dispute resolution.

Click here to view a full description of this position.

What we're looking for:

Two years of experience in related natural resource program, and a Bachelor of Science degree in plant pathology, horticulture, botany, plant sciences or a closely related natural resource program.

OR

Three additional years of related (pertinent) experience

OR

One year of experience in plant pathology, horticulture, botany, plant sciences and/or a closely related natural resource program, and a master's degree in plant pathology, horticulture, botany, plant sciences or a closely related natural resource program.

Note: Driver's License Check - This position requires the operation of a state vehicle for the purpose of conducting official State business. If your license is from outside Oregon, you must submit at least a three-year court/DMV printout. If you have an Oregon driver's license, a record checkwill be conducted on the top candidate to ensure a valid license and acceptable driving record.

The ideal candidate will possess the following attributes:

• Excellent attention to detail and the ability to accurately identify, document, and evaluate inspection findings, regulatory requirements, and compliance records.

• Demonstrated ability to objectively assess situations, gather relevant information, and analyze issues from multiple perspectives before making recommendations or conclusions.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to effectively communicate technical and regulatory information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

• Proven ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships through professional, customer-focused engagement with industry members, stakeholders, and regulatory partners.

• Commitment to professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment when representing the Oregon Department of Agriculture in regulatory and customer service settings.

• Experience conducting inspections, audits, compliance reviews, or field evaluations in a regulatory, agricultural, natural resource, or related environment is preferred.

• Possession of a USDA Authorized Certification Official (ACO) accreditation is preferred, or the ability to successfully obtain accreditation within one year of hire.

• Bilingual proficiency in Spanish is desirable.

• Ability to work independently while effectively coordinating with supervisors and team members to meet program priorities and deadlines.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects, inspections, and deadlines in a dynamic work environment.

Projected Recruitment Timeline

• Recruitment Closes: July 5, 2026

• 1st Round the week of July 13, 2026

• 2nd Round if needed: TBA

*These dates are approximate and may change. *

• Approximate start date

** We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the requested skills. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, please contact our human resources department to discuss your application.

How to apply:

Required: A cover letter & resume is required and is an important part of the application process. All application materials are reviewed by Human Resources, the Hiring Manager, and panel members throughout the recruitment process. Your cover letter & resume are key opportunities to speak directly to each decision-maker and highlight your skills and experience. In your cover letter, please describe you meet some of the desired attributes above.Your cover letter must be no more than two pages. Failure to attach a cover letter and resume may result in the disqualification of your application.

• After you submit your application, please respond to the public records request authorization and gender identity questionnaire. This screen will come after you submit and will complete the process. If you are a current State of Oregon employee, the tasks will come to your Workday inbox.

• If you are a veteran or Oregon National Guard servicemember, you may receive preference. The task to upload your documents will be available after you submit your application. For privacy reasons, please do not attach your military service document(s) to your application or combine it with any other required document attachments.

• Current state employees - please apply through your employee Workday account.

What's in it for you?

The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in the Department of Agriculture core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the desired attributes. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, please contact our human resources department to discuss your application.

Additional Information:

• This position is represented by SEIU.

• Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account.

• Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, an equal pay analysis will be conducted to determine the compensation of the successful candidate. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials.

• United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Department of Agriculture does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification.

Questions/Need Help?

If you have questions about the recruitment or need an accommodation for the recruitment process, please email to: oda.recruitment@oda.oregon.gov or call 503-986-4584.