The Plant Pest Control program helps facilitate trade for Missouri agricultural businesses, and protects Missouri's agricultural and forest resources from harmful exotic and invasive pests.  

ANNUAL SALARY:  $55,000

WORK SCHEDULE:  Monday - Friday (8 hour days)

LOCATION:  Jefferson City, Missouri

• Manage the plant disease diagnostic laboratory including supervision of plant diagnostician, as well as performance and oversight of disease diagnostics.


• Manage the fruit tree and grapevine virus-free certification program, performance and supervision of related field work, and serve on regional or national committees as the opportunities arise.


• Provide expert guidance to program staff and supervisor on plant regulatory actions including quarantines, export certification, post-entry quarantine, federal permit reviews, and pest management strategies.


• Network and collaborate with plant diagnosticians, diagnostic laboratories, and researchers nationwide to improve our diagnostic capabilities and stay at the forefront of new pest threats.  


• Travel to conferences and participation in work groups.


• Budgeting and finance tracking for laboratory operations, with possibility of some federal grant management.

Qualifications:

Four(4) years of professional experience as a plant pathologist/plant disease diagnostician or closely related experience AND graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in plant pathology, biology, or closely related areas.

Graduate work in the education areas listed above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for a maximum of two years of stated experience.  Additional qualifying experience in the above areas may substitute on a year-for-year basis for stated education.

Extensive experience in classical, serological, or molecular diagnostics of horticultural, forestry and/or field crops common to the Midwestern United States is preferred.  

Supervisory experience is preferred.

Contact:  (e-mail removed) with any questions

The Missouri Department of Agriculture is an Equal Opportunity Employer

M-F-V-DD-EOE