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Volunteer Plant Pathology Jobs (NOW HIRING)

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

OH · On-site

$40K/yr

... plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

USDA APHIS | APHIS Careers

OH · On-site

$40K/yr

... plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics ... Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience ...

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Volunteer Plant Pathology information

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$39.5K

$82.6K

$116K

How much do volunteer plant pathology jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for volunteer plant pathology in the United States is $82,578.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,500.00 and $83,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a volunteer plant pathology position?

Volunteer plant pathology positions involve assisting researchers and professionals in studying plant diseases and their effects on crops and ecosystems. Volunteers may help with tasks such as collecting samples, recording data, monitoring plant health, and supporting laboratory experiments. These roles are often found in universities, research institutions, botanical gardens, and agricultural organizations. Volunteering in plant pathology can provide valuable hands-on experience and contribute to important scientific discoveries that help protect food supplies and natural environments.

What types of projects and collaborations can a volunteer plant pathologist expect to be involved in?

As a Volunteer Plant Pathologist, you can expect to participate in a variety of projects, such as assisting with disease surveys, supporting laboratory diagnostics, and helping with outreach or educational initiatives. Collaboration is a key aspect of the role, as you may work closely with researchers, extension agents, farmers, and community groups to monitor plant health and develop management strategies. This role offers the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in both lab and field settings, and often includes mentorship from experienced scientists, which can be valuable for career development in plant sciences.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a volunteer in plant pathology, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Volunteer in Plant Pathology, you need a basic understanding of plant biology, disease identification, and laboratory or fieldwork techniques, often supported by coursework or related experience. Familiarity with microscopes, data collection tools, and laboratory safety protocols is typically required. Strong observation skills, attention to detail, and effective communication help volunteers contribute meaningfully to research teams. These skills are essential for accurate data collection and supporting plant disease research efforts that inform agricultural and environmental practices.

What is the difference between Volunteer Plant Pathology vs Plant Disease Technician?

AspectVolunteer Plant PathologyPlant Disease Technician
Required CredentialsOften none or basic knowledge, volunteer basisTypically requires a degree or certification in plant science or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, fieldwork, educational settings, often unpaidField and lab environments, paid position within agricultural or research organizations
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, universities, research projectsGovernment agencies, agricultural companies, research institutions

Volunteer Plant Pathology involves unpaid work focused on research, education, or outreach, often with minimal credentials. Plant Disease Technicians are paid professionals with relevant certifications, working in field and lab settings to diagnose and manage plant diseases. The roles differ mainly in compensation, credentials, and job responsibilities, but both contribute to plant health and disease management.

More about Volunteer Plant Pathology jobs

What cities are hiring for Volunteer Plant Pathology jobs?

Cities with the most Volunteer Plant Pathology job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Plant Pathology jobs?

The most popular types of Plant Pathology jobs are:

What states have the most Volunteer Plant Pathology jobs?

States with the most job openings for Volunteer Plant Pathology jobs include:

Volunteer Plant Pathology jobs near you
Infographic showing various Volunteer Plant Pathology job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 3% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,578 per year, or $39.7 per hour.

Plant Protection Technician

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Linden, NJ • On-site

$40K/yr

Full-time

Posted 9 days ago

USDA Forest Service rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

161st of 295 rated public sector bodies

Job description

Plant Protection Technicians implement domestic programs within assigned geographic areas to prevent the establishment and artificial spread of plant pests and diseases into new areas. If selected, you provide support to Plant Protection and Quarantine Officers with surveys; control measures; biocontrol and biotechnology activities; and export of regulated agricultural commodities within Plant Protection and Quarantine Field Operations.Qualifications:Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
  • Identifying economically significant target pests.
  • Collecting insect and disease samples suspected to be plant pests for identification by subject experts.
  • Using and maintaining survey equipment, including electronic field data equipment such as Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), Global Positioning System, computer tablets, cellular phones, and digital cameras.
  • Assisting in inspecting routine agricultural products for import/export.
  • Reading x-ray images and/or operating x-ray equipment to identify and confiscate prohibited materials.
OR
Successful completion of 4 years of study that included at least 16 semester hours in courses such as biology, plant pathology, entomology, zoology, botany, forestry, chemistry, agriculture, or physics.
TRANSCRIPTS are required if:
  • You are qualifying for the position based on education.
  • You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
  • This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.
COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education:This position does not have an education qualification requirement.
Employment Type: OTHER

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