Pesticide Assistance Specialist

State of Washington•Thurston County – Olympia, WA

11d•$51,600 - $67,704•Onsite

About The Position

The Agricultural Environmental Services Division within the Department of Agriculture protects the public interest, health, and welfare of the people of the state of Washington by providing cost efficient and effective services for the regulation of pesticides and fertilizers, supporting scientific analysis that addresses concerns to public health and the environment from agricultural activities, and protecting public health through scientific and regulatory support of the cannabis and dairy industries. The AESD consists of seven programs: 1) Compliance enforces federal and state regulations relating to the storage, distribution, disposal, and use of pesticides; 2) Registration Services, following federal and state regulations, registers pesticide and fertilizer products for distribution and use in Washington State. Fertilizer compliance is a branch within Registration and enforces state regulations relating to the registration, distribution, and guarantee of analysis of fertilizers; 3) Licensing and Recertification is responsible for providing initial certification and continuing recertification for pesticide applicators, dealer managers, consultants, and structural pest inspectors in accordance with state and federal regulations; 4) Technical Services and Education conducts training, mostly in Spanish, for pesticide handlers and Worker Protection Standard trainers and pre-license sessions; 5) Nutrient Management Technical Services is a water quality program administered by WSDA under Chapter RCW 90.64 (Dairy Nutrient Management Act). Elements of the program are managed in conformance with a Memorandum of Understanding with the Washington State Department of Ecology; 6) Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, which includes science and policy support in the areas of soil health, groundwater, surface water, agricultural land use, pesticide use, and cooperative work in these areas with local, state, and federal partners; and 7) Cannabis Programs include the regulation and accreditation of cannabis analytical laboratories, the setting of laboratory standards for the cannabis industry, and food safety and technical assistance to support production of a safe cannabis crop for consumers. The Pesticide Assistance Specialist facilitates the review, analysis, and processing of all fertilizer and pesticide applications and renewals while ensuring applicants meet all legal requirements. This position independently provides professional level expertise to registrants, staff, and regulatory agencies on complex fertilizer and pesticide registration issues while adhering to state and federal statutes, rules, and division policies. This position also identifies and recommends changes to policies and procedures to improve customer access and agency service. Additionally, this position consults with their supervisor on multi-dimensional process problems. As a member of the support staff, this position stays apprised, and resolves issues with processing fiscal paperwork related to processing and record keeping.

Requirements

Five (5) years providing both technical support and customer service support in an office setting.
One (1) year experience as an Environmental Specialist 1, or in the in-training position, will also meet the experience requirements above.
Associate's degree or other formal training involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and three (3) years of professional experience
Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and one (1) year of professional experience.

Nice To Haves

Five (5) years of experience working with laws and rules of pesticide and fertilizer regulations.

Responsibilities

Technical review and support of fertilizer and pesticide registrations
Review all pesticide and fertilizer applications and renewals, Section 18 applications, Special Local Needs (SLN) registrations, and experimental use permits.
Work directly with applicants to complete complex applications and ensures all documents meet applicable laws, rules, and agency policies.
Update and maintain all registration databases (including database testing), spreadsheets, SharePoint, and any other data management files or systems related to the registration programs.
Determine pre-registration application status and regulatory notices as necessary, which include notices regarding legal denial of a renewal or new application that is incomplete.
Monitor and update the status of fertilizer and pesticide applications and renewals in the old data systems and the new WALT&R and WAPRS data systems.
Review chemistry reports for accuracy related to fertilizer registration regulatory requirements, and issues related to administrative actions as needed.
Review Department of Ecology requirements for waste derived and micronutrient fertilizer applications prior to forwarding complete applications to fertilizer registration staff.
Pesticide and fertilizer registration customer service
Assist, plan, coordinate, and execute annual Pesticide Registration renewal notification, preparation and mail out.
Manage records related to: Notice of Incomplete Application’s, Pesticide and Fertilizer Failure to Renew notices, and any additional administrative actions related to Registration applications independently.
Serve as the first point of contact for pesticide and fertilizer application questions, laws, and rules on pesticides and fertilizers.
Generate annual fertilizer analysis reports for WSDA website under RCW 15.54.430.
Customer Service Program Support
Mentor and train lower level or new staff in aspects of client/customer relations and pesticide and fertilizer knowledge.
Independently review and approve fiscal documents associated with Pesticide and Fertilizer Registration.
Create, update, and maintain all forms and electronic files in accordance with program policies and procedures.
Schedule team meetings and/or attend meetings as a program representative.
Perform other duties as required
Other duties as assigned.

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.