NMDA Agriculture Specialist Intermediate

Position Details

Position Title: NMDA Agriculture Specialist Intermediate
College/Division: New Mexico Dept of Agriculture
Department: 180100-NMDA ENTOMOL AND NURSERY IND BUREAU
Location: Las Cruces
Offsite Location (if applicable): Dona Ana County
Target Hourly/Salary Rate: $59,965.78
Appointment: Full-time
Equivalency: 1.0
FLSA Status: Exempt
Bargaining Unit Announcement: This is NOT a bargaining unit position with American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees (AFSCME).

Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Solely responsible for or collaborate with peers in the management and implementation of department regulatory and plant pest survey, eradication, management, and certification programs.
• Programs are generally directed at protecting New Mexico’s managed and natural ecosystems from the introduction and spread of invasive arthropod plant pests.
• Specific position duties and responsibilities include:
• Inspection of raw agricultural products destined for export;
• Preparation and issuance of federal and/or state plant-pest phytosanitary certification documents;
• Development of webpage content and updates related to areas of responsibility;
• Participation in field activities including pecan cleaning plant and cold storage inspections;
• Implementation of invasive plant pest surveys;
• Coordination of invasive pest eradication efforts.

Special Requirements of the Position

• Field work may require physical activities including walking over uneven terrain, periodic lifting of objects of no more than 40 pounds, working outdoors during summer and winter seasons, occasionally working in pollinated crops.
• Field work may also require opening honey bee hives for inspection and sampling purposes.
• A valid driver’s license is required and as well as ability to drive extended periods (e.g., 5-6 hours).

Qualifications

• Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.
• Preference given to candidates that are able to comprehend relevant statutes and rules; possess pecan and other commodity pest management experience; possess sufficient vocabulary and expertise in areas of responsibility to effectively communicate with stakeholders and peers; are able to comprehend technical material published in areas of responsibility including peer review publications; have experience with technical writing and record keeping; have applied experience in one or more of the following: agronomy, pest detection and management, phytosanitary certification, pecan production, qualitative and quantitative data collection, applied biology or other related experiences.

Special Certification/Licensure

• REQUIRED CERTIFICATION/LICENSE: Possess or within two years obtain federal Accredited Certifying Official certifications required for the issuance of federal phytosanitary documents.