NMDA Agriculture Specialist Intermediate

New Mexico State University•Las Cruces, NM

10d•Onsite

About The Position

The New Mexico Department of Agriculture (NMDA) is seeking an Agriculture Specialist Intermediate to join their team. NMDA is dedicated to supporting the viability of agriculture and affiliated industries in New Mexico by promoting food protection, a fair marketplace, and global marketing and economic development. This role is part of the NMDA Entomology and Nursery Industry Bureau and will be located in Las Cruces. The position is responsible for managing and implementing regulatory and plant pest survey, eradication, management, and certification programs, primarily focused on protecting New Mexico's ecosystems from invasive arthropod plant pests.

Requirements

Associate's Degree + 4 years of relevant experience or a Bachelor's degree + 2 years of relevant experience.
Any equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience as approved by Human Resource Services.
A valid driver’s license is required.
Ability to drive extended periods (e.g., 5-6 hours).
Possess or within two years obtain federal Accredited Certifying Official certifications required for the issuance of federal phytosanitary documents.

Nice To Haves

Ability 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.
Ability to comprehend technical material published in areas of responsibility including peer review publications.
Experience with technical writing and record keeping.
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.

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.
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.
Serve as a resource for department staff regarding current plant pest issues on a regional and state level.
Remain actively engaged with commodity organizations.
Collaboration with stakeholders.
May perform other essential job related duties as assigned.