Nursery and Export Specialist - Environmental Specialist 3

State of Washington • Whatcom County – Bellingham, WA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking a full-time permanent Environmental Specialist 3 for the Plant Protection Division. This position, located in Bellingham, Washington, plays a crucial role in supporting the agriculture industry and protecting the environment and consumers. The Plant Services Program, which this role supports, focuses on preventing the introduction and spread of exotic plant pests and diseases through inspections, testing, and certification. This specific position contributes significantly to the export of Washington State's agricultural goods, valued at over $1 Billion annually, by performing phytosanitary inspections for various plant products and enforcing state and federal quarantines within Whatcom, Island, and San Juan counties.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning, or other allied field AND two (2) years of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control or environmental planning.
• OR A Master's degree in one of the above fields will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
• OR A Ph.D. in one of the above fields.
• OR One (1) year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 2.
• Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
• Driver's License
• Current designation as an ACO (Authorized Certifying Official) by USDA-APHIS under the Federal-State export certification program to issue federal phytosanitary certificates.
• Must become a designated ACO (Authorized Certifying Official) under the USDA-APHIS Federal-State export certification program in order to issue phytosanitary certificates within one year. Training provided upon employment.
• Ability to safely navigate various environments in all types of weather.

Nice To Haves

• Technical skills to get the job done.
• Work ethic to do quality work with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Perform phytosanitary inspections to facilitate the trade of nursery stock, cut greens, Christmas trees, logs, lumber, seed, and other plant products from Washington State.
• Enforce state and federal quarantines to protect against the introduction and spread of harmful plant pests.
• Travel to licensed nurseries, greenhouses, markets, and florist shops to conduct inspections and enforce quarantines on nursery stock, sod, or cut plant material.
• Act as an Authorized Certifying Official (ACO) licensed by the USDA to inspect and certify a wide variety of plants or plant products for export to foreign countries.
• Determine the eligibility of phytosanitary certification requests based on independent interpretation of complex foreign regulations, import policies, requirements, a strong technical scientific background, an understanding of environmental and plant pest risks, and federal regulations and international trade agreements.
• Act as a liaison between federal agencies (USDA, Fish & Wildlife, Customs & Border Protection) and industry for international trade issue resolution.
• Audit the PExD federal export database for accuracy, troubleshoot, and recommend clarifications, corrections, or improvements.
• Train stakeholders in the use of the PExD database.
• Review stakeholder applications for technical accuracy and compliance with federal and state regulatory policy.
• Identify foreign import requirements using databases, import permits, or other supporting documents to determine certification, re-certification, and/or processed product eligibility for export certification.
• Investigate crop history and/or production practices for pest-free area qualification to determine any mitigation requirements.
• Monitor and verify chemical fumigations or other treatments of product for compliance with importing country requirements.
• Conduct sampling based on scientific protocols/procedures at appropriate times and levels.
• Prepare samples utilizing prescribed methods to maintain integrity.
• Produce sample records for laboratory assay to determine freedom from pests of concern to the importing country.
• Conduct inspections and other investigations that may require reconditioning or audits every 30 days.
• Verify contents of shipment and product safeguarding from infection.
• Maintain inspection records and/or test results and issue certification documents electronically or manually.
• Conduct certification services to seed potato growers, including preparing an action plan and conducting pre and post-harvest inspections.
• Drive to facilities in a state-issued vehicle to conduct inspections, sampling requests, and other surveillance inspections.
• Manage state compliance agreements, audit-based certification programs, and planting stock virus certification standards.
• Coordinate or assist with eight specific certification programs (fruit tree, grapevine, seed potato, hops, seed garkic, mint, caneberry, and strawberry).
• Conduct investigation of growing site locations and onsite inspections to ascertain compliance of primary conditions.
• Conduct multiple growing season field inspections and post-harvest inspection/evaluation of planting stock entered for certification.
• Produce inspection records and maintain an active file on current plant material entered for certification.
• Issue final reports, certificates, tags/labels, and/or other means of certification identification.
• Review applications for state audit and inspection-based programs, such as Washington Weed Free Hay and Mulch (WWHAM) and additional domestic market-based compliance agreements.
• Review technical site plans, audit records, conduct inspections, and/or sampling.
• Observe processes and procedures to verify compliance with requirements.
• Interpret and enforce state and federal plant quarantines to safeguard Washington’s diverse agriculture markets, consumers, and the state’s environmental and natural resources from the introduction of harmful exotic pests.
• Conduct field and/or facility inspections at agriculture-related establishments, as well as conduct investigation and inspection of out-of-state domestic and foreign plant shipments.
• Impose onsite enforcement action as necessary, including placing plant material on hold from sale, requiring treatment, requiring return to source, or destruction of plant material found in violation.
• Conduct follow-up inspections to ensure corrective action is implemented.
• Analyze pest risk, identify critical control points, and recommend best management practices or other courses of action.
• Conduct inspection, sampling, and/or trapping surveys and issue quarantine compliance certification for domestic commerce.
• Conduct pest surveillance to protect the environment from exotic pest introduction using a science-based technical matrix.
• Bait, maintain, and surveil traps over the entire flight period based on degree day models.
• Make recommendations to senior staff regarding new or modified sampling and analytical testing methods, best management practices, and technical operating procedures.
• Work in conjunction with Washington State University agents and researchers assisting with research evaluations and the dissemination of information on best management practices and the identification and exclusion of pests of concern.
• Communicate with industry members and stakeholders within the designated field office.
• Perform clerical duties in support of program operations.
• Respond to inquiries from industry, stakeholders, and the public; provide referrals as required.
• Order and maintain inventory of office supplies.
• Submit invoices and telephone records for office expenses.
• Issue statements of services rendered.
• Receive and mail correspondence.
• Check state vehicle for safety and maintenance scheduling.
• Report mileage monthly.
• Produce detailed reports summarizing monthly activities.
• Assist with development, testing, and troubleshooting the PISCES program database and instruct stakeholders in its use.
• Maintain due diligence with cyber security of State and Federal electronic systems with yearly accreditation required.
• Direct and/or assist with training new employees and cross-training staff in individual territory responsibilities.
• Represent the agency at public meetings, hearings, and workshops promoting pest exclusion, agricultural stewardship, and safeguarding consumers, domestic and international commerce, habitats, and ecosystems.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules
• Teleworking
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Recognition Leave
• 12 paid Holidays
• Vacation and Leave Accruals
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level