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<dd><p style="margin:0in;text-align:center"><strong><span style="color:black">AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy</span></strong></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><br></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="color:black">The
Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state
for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we
keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting
consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with
farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food
safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of
people locally, nationally, and abroad.</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="color:black">The
agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000
employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view
additional openings, please visit our <a href="https://agr.wa.gov/about-wsda/employment" target="_blank"><span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)">Employment Page</span></a></span><span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)">.</span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;text-align:center"><em><strong>Are you interested in supporting the agricultural industry?</strong></em></p><br><p style="margin:0in;text-align:center"><strong>We are hiring a Pollinator Taxonomist within our Pollinator Program! </strong></p><br><p style="margin:0in 0in 8pt"><span style="color:inherit"><span style="color:inherit;font-style:normal;text-indent:0px">The WSDA </span></span><a href="https://agr.wa.gov/departments/insects-pests-and-weeds/insects/apiary-pollinators/pollinator-health" target="_blank"><span style="color:inherit"><span style="color:inherit;font-style:normal;text-indent:0px">Pollinator Program</span></span></a><span style="color:inherit"><span style="color:inherit;font-style:normal;text-indent:0px"> has
a mission to promote and protect pollinator habitat and the health and
sustainability of pollinator species. A main program run by the
Pollinator Program will be the Washington Bee Atlas, which will help
discover what species of pollinators are present in the state, as well
as their relative populations, and better understand their ecological
needs. </span></span></p><strong>The Pollinator Taxonomist (Natural Resource Scientist 2) </strong>supports
a variety of scientific tasks in consultation with the Pollinator
Health Coordinator, including designing and implementing taxonomic or
other entomological research, acting as an agency specialist for one or
more insect groups (especially bees), identifying insects, and authoring
peer-reviewed and outreach publications. The taxonomist compiles,
updates and analyzes scientific information in support of WSDA's
mission, may conduct experiments to expand knowledge on pollinator
populations and health, and plans, educates, and assists volunteers in
conducting insect surveys.<br><br>In addition, the taxonomist is the
lead curator of the WSDA Pollinator Collection. and develops pollinator
identification technologies and procedures. This position collaborates
with coworkers (including Laboratory Technician), and professionals from
other institutions to ensure WSDA is best positioned to accomplish its
mission statement.<br><span style="color:inherit"> <br> <strong>Why join WSDA?</strong><strong><br> </strong>The Department of Agriculture offers:</span><ul style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-top:0in" type="disc"><li style="margin:0in;color:inherit">12 Paid <span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)"><a href="https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/compensation-job-classes/compensation-administration/vacation-leave-and-holidays" target="_blank">Holidays, Leave & Vacation</a></span></li><li style="margin:0in;color:inherit">A great total compensation and <span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)"><a href="https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/compensation-job-classes/benefits" target="_blank">benefits package</a></span></li><li style="margin:0in;color:inherit">Provide meaningful work for the State of Washington</li><li style="margin:0in;color:inherit">Supported growth and development opportunities</li><li style="margin:0in;color:inherit"><span style="color:black">A healthy work/life balance, which <em>may</em> include flexible work schedules, teleworking, and an Infants in the Workplace Program</span></li></ul><p style="margin:0in"><strong><span style="color:inherit"> </span></strong><span style="color:black"><br>For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at</span><span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)"> </span><span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)"><a href="http://www.agr.wa.gov/"><span style="text-decoration:none">www.agr.wa.gov</span></a>.</span></p><p></p></dd><dt>Duties</dt><dd><p><strong><br>Includes, but not limited to:</strong><br><br></p><ul><li>Performs independently a wide variety of complex specimen preparation,<br>diagnostic and curatorial work using morphological, biometric, and molecular<br>evidence.</li><li>Determines the resources necessary to accurately identify insect specimens to<br>species.</li><li>Screens and identifies specimens, consults with subject experts when required.</li><li>Records
results of screening, and highlights any suspect pests, new pollinator
species, or other biologically significant findings (e.g. range
extensions).</li><li>Receives and logs specimens sent for identification.</li><li> Selects field sites based on experimental criteria (e.g. ecosystem, ownership, previous sampling history).</li><li>Trains volunteers in collection and identification of pollinators. </li><li>Travels safely to and from those field sites. </li><li>Places traps or conducts other activities such as collecting or observing insects.</li><li>Publishes
findings of biogeographical and biological information in peer-reviewed
articles and other formats (web, outreach publications).</li><li>Works with Plant Protection personnel on molecular identifications.</li><li>Represents WSDA at national meetings appropriate to WSDA's mission.</li><li>Collaborates
with regional and national primary research entomologists to develop or
resolve taxonomic solutions, and enable accurate detection and
identification of pollinators.</li><li>Reviews and interprets scientific knowledge for WSDA personnel and other<br>collaborators.</li><li>Creates agency reports and diagnostic resources to support WSDA programs.</li><li>Maintains a database of known pollinators occurring within Washington State. </li><li>Manages a reference collection of preserved insect specimens and associated<br>digital imagery, incorporating new specimens to further entomology diagnostic laboratory capabilities.</li><li>Creates and provide physical or digital images of specimens to other state agencies and collaborating museums and universities.</li><li>Ensures WSDA collection reflects modem arthropod systematics.</li></ul><p></p></dd><dt>Qualifications</dt><dd><p><br><strong>Who should apply?</strong><br>Professionals with:<br><br></p><ul><li>A
Bachelor's degree involving major study in a biological science or
closely allied field, with at least twelve semester hours of
Entomology-focused coursework (must include at least 3 semester hours or
equivalent quarter hours of insect taxonomy and/or systematics).</li><li>Three (3) years of professional research work experience in insect identification/taxonomy/systematics.</li><li><span style="color:inherit;font-style:normal;text-align:left;text-indent:0px">Valid driver's license</span> </li></ul><strong>Note</strong>:
A Master's degree will substitute for two years and a Ph.D. degree will
substitute for all of the required experience, provided the field of
major study was in insect taxonomy and/or systematics.<br><br><strong>Preferred/Desired:</strong><br><br><ul><li>Experience in bee taxonomy and/or systematics.</li><li>Three (3) years of experience planning and conducting surveys and experiments involving pollinators.</li><li>Experience curating a stored insect collection.</li><li>Successful
track record of publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles, research
reports, and stakeholder education literature relevant to pollinator
taxonomy, pollinator health and/or pollinator ecology.</li></ul><p></p></dd><dt>Supplemental Information</dt><dd><p><br></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 7.5pt"><strong><span style="color:inherit">How to Apply:</span></strong><span style="color:inherit"><br> <br>You
must complete your <a href="http://careers.wa.gov">careers.wa.gov</a> profile and answer the supplemental
questions. In addition to completing the online application, and
supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to
their profile to be considered for this position:<br> </span></p><ul style="margin-bottom:0in" type="disc"><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;color:inherit">A cover letter describing why you are the best candidate and how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.</li><li style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;color:inherit">Three Professional References.</li></ul><br><p style="margin:0in"><span style="color:inherit">By
submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is
true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or
misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or
dismissal if employed.<br> <br> <strong>Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.</strong><br> <br>If
you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or
completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-
5627 or email </span><span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)"><a href="mailto:support@neogov.com">support@neogov.com</a>.</span><span style="color:inherit"><br> <br>Should
you have any questions regarding this position or the online
application, contact the Human Resource Office at (360) 902- 2020 or</span><span style="color:rgb(38,122,144)"> <a href="mailto:Recruitment@agr.wa.gov">Recruitment@agr.wa.gov</a>.</span><span style="color:inherit"><br> <br>Prior
to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background
check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information
from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but
will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and
competence to perform in the position.<br> <br>The initial screening
will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your
application and the materials submitted. All information may be
verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via
e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's
on-line recruitment system.<br> </span></p><p style="margin:0in"><span style="color:inherit">The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.</span></p></dd><dt><br></dt><dt>To learn more: <a href="https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3717995/pollinator-taxonomist">https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3717995/pollinator-taxonomist</a></dt></div>