State CAP Survey Coordinator

the South Dakota State Government•Rapid City, SD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The State CAP Survey Coordinator oversees statewide agricultural programs by providing technical assistance to interested parties and department administrative staff, and recommends general program direction to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. The position plans, coordinates, and implements the CAPS (Cooperative Agricultural Pest Surveys) plant pest survey program. Annual surveys help detect exotic pests that could affect agriculture and exports and are important to maintaining South Dakota's export status. The coordinator works with other agencies to identify survey needs, develop proposals and workplans, conduct and coordinate pest surveys independently and collaboratively, oversee daily survey work with assistance from interns, and prepare required survey reports. The position also oversees the European Corn Borer Compliance Program, including facility inspections and, as needed, export field inspections for growing-seed exporters. The role includes public outreach and education about exotic plant pests through presentations and informational booths, and responding to public and business inquiries. It also assists with quarantine duties, including regulatory compliance, exports, arranging inspections, and issuing phytosanitary certificates. The position is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week role with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, based in Rapid City, Mitchell, or Huron.

Requirements

A valid South Dakota driver's license, or the ability to obtain one upon accepting employment.
Knowledge of plant diseases and pests; agricultural inspection planning and techniques of administrative investigation; plant crop cultivation and production; production agriculture terminology; effective human relations and public interaction; applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations; departmental policies and procedures; basic data-processing principles and terminology; and fiscal procedures.
Ability to make appropriate decisions by applying standards and available information to specific situations.
Ability to identify and prioritize problems or potential problems, analyze cause-and-effect relationships, and develop resolutions.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely and develop ideas in a logical sequence.
Ability to present and promote departmental priorities, services, and actions internally and externally.
Ability to develop policies, define standards, develop procedures, and determine logical work flow.
Ability to monitor and evaluate program effectiveness and efficiency, and adapt programs to changing trends, needs, and values.

Nice To Haves

A degree in agronomy, precision agriculture, or another agriculture-related field.
Past experience in production agriculture.

Responsibilities

Provide technical assistance to interested parties and department administrative staff on statewide agricultural programs.
Recommend general program direction to support compliance with applicable regulations.
Plan, coordinate, and implement the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Surveys (CAPS) plant pest survey program.
Coordinate with other agencies to identify pest survey needs and develop proposals and workplans.
Conduct and coordinate pest surveys independently and in cooperation with other agencies.
Oversee day-to-day survey work with assistance from interns.
Prepare pest survey reports as required.
Oversee the European Corn Borer Compliance Program.
Conduct and coordinate facility inspections and, as needed, export field inspections for those exporting growing seeds.
Educate the public about exotic plant pests through presentations and informational booths, and respond to calls and emails from the public and businesses.
Assist with quarantine duties, including regulatory compliance, export activities, arranging inspections, and issuing phytosanitary certificates.