Ag Inspector Specialist – Plant Pest / Entomology – Western Nebraska

The work we do matters!

Hiring Agency:

Agriculture - Agency 18

Location:

Telecommuting Employee (no definite city)

Hiring Rate:

$20.024

Job Posting:

JR2024-00010127 Ag Inspector Specialist – Plant Pest / Entomology – Western Nebraska (Open)

Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed):

Job Description:

The position covers counties in the western part of the state. Conduct inspections of plants and plant products to confirm compliance with state law, state and federal quarantines, and export requirements, and to determine presence or absence of plant pests.

This position will be understaffed at a Level I, with the potential of becoming a Level II. Must complete required additional training and certifications within first year of employment. Should these requirements not be met work status and requirements will be assessed at that time. Starting pay for Level I is $17.327 per hour. Level II starting pay is $20.024 per hour.



Look at what we have to offer!

• 13 paid holidays
• Vacation and sick leave that begin accruing immediately
• Military leave
• 156% (that's not a typo!) state-matched retirement
• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee assistance program
• 79% employer paid health insurance plans
• Dental and vision insurance plans
• Employer-paid $20,000 life insurance policy
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF) through the Federal government
• Wide variety and availability of career advancement as the largest and most diverse employer in the State
• Opportunity to be part of meaningful work and make a difference through public service
• Training and Development based on your career aspirations
• Fun, inviting teammates
• A safe and secure environment

At the State, we stand by our core values of treating others with dignity and respect, acting ethically in all situations, and creating an environment where our customer is our top priority. Apply to join our team today!

 

Position Location: This position covers counties in the western part of the state. Preferred residence west of Kearney NE, North of I-80 in Nebraska 

Job duties

• Conducting phytosanitary inspections of plants and plant products as required for export certification.

• Witnessing and verify treatments for plants and plant products for export purposes.

• Conducting growing season field inspections for plant pests of export concern.

• Inspecting firms that have entered into a Compliance Agreement with NDA to confirm requirements of the Compliance Agreement are being met, for export purposes.

• Inspecting grain handling facilities to confirm compliance with interstate European corn borer requirements, so those products may be shipped out of the state.

• Educating exporters on specific certification requirements, enhancing outreach.

• Inspecting nursery stock for evidence of injurious plant pests and to confirm the plant material complies  with the Nebraska Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act.

• Confirming persons distributing nursery stock are correctly licensed with the Department and identifying unlicensed firms and assisting them to obtain compliance with the Act.

• Responding to plant and plant product rejection notices.

• Setting, monitoring, and retrieving various insect traps, conducting visual inspections, and collecting samples, including soil samples, for various plant pests.

• Conducting post-entry quarantine inspections on imported plant material (foreign origin).

• Inspecting firms that have entered into a Compliance Agreement with NDA to confirm requirements of the Compliance Agreement are being met, for export purposes.

• Conducting phytosanitary inspections of plants and plant products as required for export certification.

• Inspecting grain handling facilities to confirm compliance with interstate European Corn Borer requirements, so those products may be shipped out of the state.

• Inspecting nursery stock for evidence of injurious plant pests and to confirm the plant material complies with the Nebraska Plant Protection and Plant Pest Act.

• Inspecting plants and plant products that may be regulated under a state or federal quarantine to confirm compliance with the applicable quarantines.

• Other duties as assigned.

 

Requirements / Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Agriculture Inspection Specialist I: Two years’ experience working in a relevant discipline. 

Agriculture Inspection Specialist II: Post high school coursework/training in agriculture, plant/animal or natural sciences, or other program related field OR a vocation certificate in electrical, mechanical, engineering or other program related field. AND Two years’ experience working in a relevant discipline. 

 

Preferred Qualifications: One to two years of experience working in agriculture, in agronomy, entomology, or horticulture, or a closely related field, or regulatory work conducting inspection of plants or plant products. Strong science background, with college level classes in agronomy, biology, entomology, environmental sciences, horticulture, plant pathology, or a related field of study. Regular and reliable attendance required.

 

Other: This position requires travel. As such, the incumbent must be able to present a valid driver’s license or another form of reliable transportation. Regular and reliable attendance is required.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

One to two years of experience working in agriculture, in agronomy, entomology, or horticulture, or a closely related field, or regulatory work conducting inspection of plants or plant products. Strong science background, with college level classes in agronomy, biology, entomology, environmental sciences, horticulture, plant pathology, or a related field of study. Regular and reliable attendance required.

 

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.

Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.

Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.