Pesticide Program Specialist, Agriculture

Description:

JOB TITLE: Pesticide Program Specialist, Agriculture

 

LOCATION: Preferably located in California or the Pacific Northwest, but for the right candidate we are open to other locations in the United States. The position will be expected to work full time from the employee's home-based office.

 

COMPENSATION: $57,033/year

 

JOB START DATE: Approximate start date August 1, 2023.

 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: May 29, 2023

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

We are committed to creating a more diverse workforce that is welcoming to all employees and the communities we serve. As part of the application process, please be prepared to answer a brief essay question (1,000 characters or less) in which you describe some ways you might help Xerces collaborate with diverse audiences or historically excluded communities in this role.

Xerces is happy to provide accommodations for the job application process if needed. If you need an accommodation to complete the job application process, please email reasonable.accomodation@xerces.org.

 

JOIN US!

Come join a growing team of conservation professionals at the Xerces Society who are dedicated to protecting some of the world's most important animals. We are seeking a collaborative, science-minded agricultural professional with experience in ecologically sound pest management to support our work to reduce pesticide risks to pollinators and their habitat in a variety of agricultural landscapes.

 

At Xerces, we harness the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of the public to implement conservation programs. We take action by helping farms and public agencies develop conservation plans for pollinators and beneficial insects, producing ground-breaking publications on insect conservation, training thousands of farmers and land managers to protect and manage habitat for beneficial insects, protecting endangered species and their habitat, and engaging the public to raise awareness about invertebrates found on farms, forests, prairies, deserts, streams, wetlands, towns and cities. Our methods focus on habitat conservation planning, education, scientific analysis, advocacy, and applied research to conserve invertebrates, such as bees, butterflies, mollusks, and fireflies.

 

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING:

As part of a multi-person Pesticide Program team and in coordination with our pollinator, endangered species, and outreach teams, the Agricultural Pesticide Program Specialist will work to reduce pesticide risks to pollinators and their habitat in agricultural landscapes.

 

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide technical support and clear information to Xerces staff, partner organizations, and growers on best practices for reducing pesticide risks to pollinators and their habitat in agricultural landscapes, including a variety of specific crops and regions.
• Develop resources on ecologically sound pest management for a variety of crops and regions, including crop and region-specific pesticide reduction and mitigation practices to support the development of healthy pollinator habitat in those landscapes, while also supporting successful crop production.
• Monitor and review current and emerging research on agricultural pest management, pesticide toxicology, pesticide movement, and environmental contamination to help translate science into accessible and actionable information in support of invertebrate conservation.
• Evaluate pest management plans to determine potential risk to invertebrates from management of insect pests, diseases, and weeds. Provide recommendations to reduce reliance on pesticides and minimize pesticide related risks to pollinators and their habitat.
• Develop outreach materials on pesticide reduction and habitat protection for a variety of audiences. Materials could include: community guides, fact sheets, summaries of scientific findings, technical guidance, and decision making tools.
• Design, coordinate, and present workshops and other trainings.
• Work with the Xerces team to develop program priorities and plans, including long and short-term goals, strategies, and tactics.
• Maintain regular communication with supervisor, other staff on the pesticide and pollinator teams, and partner organizations.

STATUS & SCHEDULE: Full-Time position, scheduled to work ~ 40 hours/week. Schedule may be flexible and the opportunity for partial or full-time remote work location can be made, depending on job-specific requirements.

 

BENEFITS: This position includes a generous benefits package including; twelve paid holidays, paid time off accrued at a rate of 1.73 hours for every 30 hours of pay (15 days per year for a 40 hour/week schedule), medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage, the option to participate in a pre-tax flexible spending account for medical and dependent care expenses, short-term disability insurance where not provided under state law, long-term disability insurance, participation in a 401k retirement program with employer contribution match upon meeting eligibility requirements, and a flexible work environment.

 

TERMS: The Xerces Society is an at-will employer. Nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.

 

MORE INFORMATION: For more information on the Xerces Society and our programs, please see our website: www.xerces.org

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

All applications must be submitted via our application website at: http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs

 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Xerces Society is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer including disability and veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

 

PRIORITY REFERRAL OF PROTECTED VETERANS

We request priority referral of protected veterans for all openings with our organization. In order to be considered for employment, all applicants for employment with Xerces Society, apply through our Job Board. When referring or being referred as a candidate, including protected veterans, please refer them to this applicant site; http://bit.ly/xerces-jobs.

Requirements:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND EXPERIENCE:

REQUIRED

• Experience with crop production, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), and/or other agroecological farming techniques
• Basic understanding of pesticides, toxicology, and agricultural pest management.
• Ability to understand, interpret, and effectively communicate complex scientific information to a range of audiences to influence conservation practice.
• Demonstrated interest in and commitment to insect/wildlife conservation.
• Excellent written communication and public speaking skills.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to develop work plans, work independently on assigned tasks, and adjust plans to respond to opportunities and issues as they arise.
• Ability to manage time and diverse activities under tight deadlines, while delivering high quality results.
• Ability and willingness to work with diverse teams and constituents in a respectful, equitable, and inclusive fashion.
• Proficiency with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and competence with using current technology to communicate to diverse audiences in a variety of formats.

PREFERRED

• Experience in crop production in the western United States, especially California.
• Knowledge of common insect pests, alternative pest management practices, and conservation biological control.
• Knowledge of pollinators, butterflies, bumble bees, land management, and biodiversity conservation.
• Experience with graphic design or other visual media skills.

QUALIFICATIONS:

REQUIRED

• Bachelor's in entomology, agricultural sciences, agronomy, toxicology, plant pathology, conservation biology, or related field degree with 3-5 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Must have some agricultural experience and ability to relate to different farm contexts.
• Must have current authorization to work in the United States with any employer. Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

PREFERRED

• Master's degree or Ph.D. in entomology, agricultural sciences, agronomy, toxicology, plant pathology, conservation biology, or related field degree.

 

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Be able to perform the following with reasonable breaks and/or reasonable accommodations:

• Operate a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a telephone, copy machine, and computer printer for periods of 1-8 hours.
• Occasionally work outdoors in the field for 1-8 hours per day under potentially adverse weather conditions;
• Occasionally traverse across unpaved roads, walkways, fields and unimproved trails for periods of 1-8 hours.

Xerces Society Inc

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PI213602296