Assistant Horticultural Inspector 1 - 73033

About the role

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking candidates to fill one Assistant Horticultural Inspector 1 position in Suffolk County. The Assistant Horticultural Inspector 1 assists in performing visual surveys of plants for the presence of pests to identify plant diseases and insects; collects samples of leaves, soil, seeds or other agricultural commodities; deploys traps and lures in support of various surveys under established protocols and direction; labels and packs samples for submission to the laboratory for analysis; accurately records survey data and information; assists in data entry of survey information, crop history, dates of survey, field size, treatments and lab results; properly maps properties and where they are located to detect, eradicate or control plant pests in an assigned geographic area; reports quantity and disposition of samples to their supervisor and/or program manager; and cleans and maintains survey equipment.

Responsibilities

• Assists in performing visual surveys of plants for the presence of pests to identify plant diseases and insects.
• Captures samples of leaves, soil, seeds or other agricultural commodities.
• Deploys traps and lures in support of various surveys under established protocols and direction.
• Limits and packs samples for submission to the laboratory for analysis.
• Accurately records survey data and information.
• Assists in data entry of survey information, crop history, dates of survey, field size, treatments and lab results.
• Properly maps properties and where they are located to detect, eradicate or control plant pests in an assigned geographic area.
• Reports quantity and disposition of samples to their supervisor and/or program manager.
• Cleans and maintains survey equipment.

Requirements

• You must have thirty college credits, in any subject.
• Thirty college credits in horticulture, forestry, plant pathology, botany, entomology, environmental studies/plant science, or a biological science primarily related to the scientific study of plants is preferred.

Qualifications

The Assistant Horticultural Inspector 1 earns $20.83/hour and provides full-time hours working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. These positions are temporary and seasonal, with regular renewals from season to season based on program needs. The two seasons run from April 1 through November 30 and December 1 through March 31. The duties of the position require walking and standing outside on potato farm fields in all weather conditions. Overnight travel may be required.

Benefits

• Cost-effective health insurance options.
• Fully covered dental and vision care.
• Participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan.
• Adequate paid time off.
• Deferred Compensation Plan.
• Flex Spending Account.
• NY's 529 College Savings Program.

Pay

$20.83/hour

Schedule

Full-time; Temporary, Seasonal; 40 Hours