State Survey Coordinator (CAPS)

Job Summary

The State Survey Coordinator (CAPS) will be responsible for the Indiana activities of the USDA Cooperative Pest Survey, a longitudinal study of invasive pest species in American agriculture. This position will maintain laboratory and research vehicles as well as collaborate with other faculty within the Department of Entomology and support research relevant to the CAPS mission. Additional duties will include but are not limited to:

• Works with a survey steering committee to plan and execute statewide surveys for national and/or Indiana priority pests (including invertebrates, vertebrates, plants, and pathogens); the survey involves collecting, organizing, screening trap and visual record samples (1000's/yr) and uploading survey records to the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS)
• Collation of submissions to NAPIS from Indiana, and handling database requests from qualified stakeholders
• Hire and supervise student workers/interns and maintain budget functions for the role, including preparing funding proposals to the USDA
• Collaboration with other faculty within the Department of Entomology and support of research relevant to the CAPS mission
• Stakeholder engagement including with state and national groups working with invasive species, Indiana DNR, Purdue Plant Pest Diagnostic Laboratory, and the Central Plant Board is also vital to the role
• Participation in departmental outreach/extension activities (e.g. Forest Pest Outreach, IPM programs, and College of Ag activities such as Indiana State Fair, Master Gardener/Naturalist programs, etc.
• Assistance to the Department of Entomology in committee service, contributing to departmental functions, and in Extension field and lab projects as expertise and opportunity allow

Required:

• Master's degree in a relevant area within Entomology or Agronomy
• 3 years of experience in pest/invasive plant monitoring, IPM or biocontrol
• Experience in insect/plant taxonomy including collection, preparation, identification and maintaining specimen records/databases
• Strong organizational and communication skills
• Supervision of student interns (including recruitment, training and mentoring)
• Travel

Preferred:

• PhD
• Experience in field-lab management, including equipment, vehicles and lab maintenance
• Experience in financial management, including budgeting, creating work plans and submitting proposals to external stakeholders
• Background knowledge in botany, weed science, and/or plant pathology

Additional Information:

• All new hires will be expected to follow Protect Purdue guidelines. To learn more, visit https://bit.ly/3DH3z6f
• Purdue will not sponsor an employment related visa for this position.
• A background check will be required for employment.
• FLSA: Exempt (Not Eligible for Overtime)
• Retirement Eligibility: Defined Contribution Waiting Period.
• Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.