Plant Science Specialist

State of Montana • Billings, MT

7d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Montana Department of Agriculture is seeking a Plant Science Specialist in Billings, Montana. This field specialist role is responsible for implementing and supervising an agri-chemical compliance and regulatory program within a multi-county district. The position involves investigating the use and misuse of agri-chemicals, responding to incidents, providing technical and remedial assistance, conducting inspections, developing regulatory quality control procedures, training and educating agri-chemical users and the public, testing applicants for pesticide licenses, maintaining a district office and equipment, performing data entry, generating reports, and reviewing scientific and technical literature to maintain current knowledge. The role also focuses on maintaining effective relationships between the agency and the regulated community, interest groups, other agencies, and the public to address problems, recognize priorities, and communicate agency programs. The specialist will design and propose new regulatory and office procedures according to a formal district plan.

As a Plant Science Specialist, you will evaluate and assess enforcement, training, and investigation needs in a diverse multi-county district to develop and write a comprehensive plan for regulating all aspects of pesticide use, including human health, groundwater, the environment, the public, agriculture, wildlife, and industry. You will research, organize, and develop training materials, guides, handouts, and visual materials. You will present information using various instructional techniques and formats such as role-playing, simulations, team exercises, group discussions, videos, and lectures. Additionally, you will stay updated on developments in your area of expertise by reading current journals, books, and magazine articles, and serve as a primary case review officer.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in animal science, plant science, agricultural science, environmental science, or closely related field.
• Two years of job-related work experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of the principles of plant, animal, biological and environmental sciences, Montana agriculture, sampling methods and procedures, regulatory procedures, and concepts.
• Knowledge of relevant federal and state agricultural laws and regulations, and administrative practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of the regulation, manufacturing, labeling, trends, and marketing of pesticides, pesticide devices, microbials and repellants; sampling methods and inspection protocol.
• Knowledge of investigative procedures, confidentiality, enforcement tactics and techniques.
• Ability to act as the department’s agent or as a team member in enforcement cases and thus must have a thorough understanding of regulatory work and enforcement case development in order to build solid, reliable, and defensible cases.
• Strong computer skills including MS Office programs and database software.
• Skill in translating complex technical and scientific information to broad audiences and coordinating programs involving people with diverse backgrounds, private businesses, members of the public, and others.
• Ability to interpret and apply knowledge of rules, regulations, standard operating procedures and other knowledge to routine and non-routine situations and incidences encountered in the field and make sound judgment calls.
• Working knowledge of practices and techniques of scientific research, design, and implementation.
• Ability to communicate effectively and diplomatically both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and effective working relationships with internal and external customers.
• Advanced ability to work in a self-directed and proactive manner.
• Ability to mediate confrontational situations during meetings, field/site activities, etc.
• Ability to maintain and handle confidential information and data.
• Solution driven and ability to problem solve.
• Ability to handle competing priorities with sensitive time frames while completing high-quality work.

Nice To Haves

• Applicants rarely are experienced in all of the position duties. With a background in Biology, Environmental Science or Agriculture, the chosen candidate will be trained for the position duties.

Responsibilities

• Implement and supervise an agri-chemical compliance and regulatory program within a multi-county district.
• Investigate use and misuse of agri-chemicals.
• Respond to incidents.
• Provide technical and remedial assistance.
• Conduct inspections.
• Develop regulatory quality control procedures.
• Train and educate agri-chemical users and the public.
• Test applicants for pesticide licenses.
• Maintain a district office and equipment.
• Perform data entry and generate reports.
• Review scientific and technical literature to maintain current knowledge.
• Maintain effective relationships between the agency and the regulated community, interest groups, other agencies, and the public.
• Design and propose new regulatory and office procedures according to a formal district plan.
• Evaluate and assess enforcement, training, and investigation needs in a diverse multi-county district to develop and write a comprehensive plan for regulating all aspects of pesticide use.
• Research, organize, and develop training materials, guides, handouts, and visual materials.
• Present information using a variety of instructional techniques and formats.
• Keep up with developments in the area of expertise by reading current journals, books, and magazine articles.
• Serve as a primary case review officer.

Benefits

• Hybrid schedules or partial telework may be available within the state of Montana.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance coverage, flexible spending accounts, and EAP.
• Free telehealth and access to free employee medical clinics through our medical plan.
• 15 working days of annual leave, 12 days of sick leave and 10 paid holidays per year.
• Longevity raises with continuous service, as well as any negotiated market increases and state statutory raises.
• Choice between two retirement plans with an employer contribution between 8.73%25 - 9.77%25 of your annual salary.
• A third optional 457(b) deferred compensation plan is also available.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness.

What This Job Offers

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