Senior Entomology Technician

Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry•Old Town, ME

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maine Forest Service Forest Health and Monitoring (FHM) Division is seeking a Senior Entomology Technician in the Old Town, Maine area. The FHM division collaborates with state, local, and federal partners to fulfill the Maine Forest Service's mission of protecting and enhancing Maine's forest resources for current and future generations. This is a technical services role focused on the detection, evaluation, and impact assessment of forest health issues, including insects, diseases, and abiotic factors, in both field and laboratory settings. The position involves conducting various forest resources surveys and may include supervising or leading technical and seasonal personnel to achieve project objectives. Work is performed under limited supervision, with the possibility of exercising supervision over subordinate staff.

Requirements

Knowledge of integrated pest management, forest and tree ecology, including forest health topics.
Familiarity with the use of taxonomic keys to identify host plants, insects, and diseases.
Ability to become adept at the use of MS Office and ArcGIS Software Suites.
Licensed as a commercial pesticide applicator in multiple categories related to position duties.
Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication, and presentation skills.
Ability to reach logical conclusions and make sound technical recommendations based on data gathered.
Ability to work well as a leader and team player as well as independently.
Experience organizing, prioritizing, and managing multiple work projects and types of activities while meeting and managing deadlines.
Possess or be able to obtain a valid Maine Driver’s License.
A four (4) year combination of training, education, and/or experience in basic technical field or laboratory entomology, pathology, forestry, or related work, including at least two (2) years of actual on-the-job experience in forest inventory analysis and insect identification.
Pesticides Applicator License as issued by the Maine Pesticide Control Board.

Responsibilities

Perform forest health evaluations and field studies to determine causes, extents, and severity of damages, including establishing temporary and permanent forested and non-forested survey plots and conducting various surveys to mark the area.
Collect data for monitoring and assessment and identify damage and environmental impacts.
Provide diagnostic services and technical advice regarding insect and disease problems to landowners, the public, and other agencies to assess problems, recommend controls, and protect resources.
Perform inspections and surveys related to state and federally regulated pests to prevent the introduction or spread of foreign or quarantined pests.
Collect, process, document, appropriately store, analyze, and report on field samples to determine damage agents using specialized entomology and pathology techniques.
Collaborate with universities and state and federal agencies on insect and disease projects to provide information and services to landowners.
Maintain records, assigned equipment, and supplies.
Supervise or act as lead for technical and seasonal personnel assigned to assist in meeting project objectives.

Benefits

13 paid holidays
12 days of sick leave
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually (accrual increases with years of service)
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees
Health Insurance Coverage (State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums, with dependent coverage options)
Health Insurance Premium Credit (decreases employee-only premiums by 5% with participation)
Dental Insurance (State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums)
Retirement Plan (State of Maine contributes at least 14.11% of pay to Maine Public Employees Retirement System - MainePERS)
Gym Membership Reimbursement (up to $40 per month)
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness (State of Maine is a qualified employer)
Living Resources Program (employee assistance program)
Paid Parental leave (42 consecutive calendar days for all welcoming parents, including fathers and adoptive parents)
Additional unpaid leave may be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act
Voluntary Deferred Compensation (MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions)
Additional wellness benefits from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness