PLANT & PESTICIDE SPECIALIST I (Dekalb) 1

Position Overview

The Bureau of Environmental Programs is seeking an employee to fulfill the role of Plant and Pesticide Specialist based at our Dekalb, Illinois office. This position performs specialized work in the inspection of nursery/greenhouse stock. Work would include screening plant shipments and supportive documents for compliance, writing and approving phytosanitary certificates, inspecting nursery and greenhouse stock for insect pests and plant diseases and monitor quarantine programs. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, able to communicate daily with the public and be self-sufficient by being able to manage their own workload. We welcome interested applicants to apply for this position to work inside this unique environment.

Job Responsibilities

1. Performs specialized work in the inspection of nursery/greenhouse stock.

2. Conducts and directs inspections of nursery and greenhouse stock for the presence of insect pests and plant diseases.

3. Monitors quarantine programs in coordination with United States Department of Agriculture- Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service- Plant Protection Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) and United States Department of Agriculture -Forest Service (USDA-FS), detection surveys and eradication programs and other cooperative programs and USDA Phytosanitary Export Database. 

4. Communicates and coordinates with State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO) and USDA Export Certification Specialist (ECS) to ensure procedures and practices are implemented with policy.

5. Conducts reporting of pesticide-related issues and violations.

6. Obtains and successfully maintains accreditation as an Authorized Certification Official (ACO) within twenty-four (24) months of hire and completes required agency assigned trainings.

7. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with coursework in entomology, horticulture, botany, agronomy, animal nutrition or related fields.
2. Requires six (6) months’ professional experience in a related field or the successful completion of an agency approved training program.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers working knowledge of the effects of pesticides on plants, people and environment.
2. Prefers elementary knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing the use, potential misuse, storage, and registration of pesticides.
3. Prefers elementary knowledge of industry practices and methods related to the nursery, greenhouse and green industry with emphasis in the control and movement of plants and plant parts. 
4. Prefers elementary knowledge of basic principles and practices of insect pests, plant diseases, and related investigative methods and controls.
5. Prefers elementary knowledge of agricultural crops, products and commodities, and associated practices and procedures. 

Conditions of Employment

1. Must be able to successfully pass a background check.
2. Require the ability to travel in the performance of duties.
3. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
4. This position is considered light work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(b)). Light work involves lifting no more than 20 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 10 pounds. This job may require a good deal of walking or standing or involves sitting most of the time with some pushing and pulling of arm or leg controls.
5. Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
6. Requires the ability to work outside on occasion.
7. Requires the ability to obtain accreditation as an Authorized Certification Official (ACO) within twenty-four (24) months of hire.
8. Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
9. Requires the ability to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.
The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job
duties as listed in the job description.