- Agency
- Utah State University Extension, Biology Department
- Location
- Logan, UT
- Job Category
- Full Time Positions
- Salary
- $38,250 - $45,000
- Last Date to Apply
- June 15, 2020
- Website
- https://college.agrilife.org/entojobs/wp-content/uploads/sites/79/2020/06/USU-Arthropod-Diagnostician-Announcement.pdf
- Description
- The Arthropod Diagnostician (AD) will work within the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab (UPPDL), under the supervision of the Extension Plant Pathologist. The AD processes and diagnoses plant pest and general arthropod samples from agriculture, green industry, homeowners, and more, and responds to email and phone inquiries. The incumbent will work closely with the Plant Pathologist and other UPPDL staff to diagnose arthropod pest issues and provide pest management recommendations for clients. The AD will oversee and maintain databases for arthropod and plant disease samples processed by the UPPDL. In addition to diagnosing arthropods, the AD will also develop Extension programming for arthropod pests of urban and structural settings (such as home-invading, biting and stinging, etc.). This includes promoting integrated pest management in schools in collaboration with the Coalition for IPM in Schools and Utah health departments via organizing workshops, delivering newsletters, attending committee meetings, conducting school IPM assessments, evaluating impacts, and more. The AD will also work collaboratively with members of the Extension pest management group at Utah State University, known collectively as Utah Pests, to develop and implement other Extension programming and outreach. Outreach includes overseeing the UPPDL website, developing Extension fact sheets, writing articles and publications, organizing workshops, and giving presentations focused on pest management topics to audiences such as Master Gardeners, landscape and building pest managers, and other types of pesticide applicators. Some day trips and overnight travel will be required. Responsibilities: • Identify plant-pest and other arthropod specimens submitted to the UPPDL and prepare timely responses to clientele. Respond to email and phone inquiries about arthropod identification. • Interact frequently with members of the general public, state and federal agencies, members of the Utah Pests team, pesticide applicators, and various plant production industries in Utah (landscape, nursery, agriculture). • Oversee Utah’s urban and school IPM programming through written and oral outreach (workshops, publications, webinars, conferences, etc.). Evaluate results. • Maintain arthropod and plant disease records for the UPPDL. • Maintain the UPPDL website. • Maintain the UPPDL lab safety requirements and safety standard operating procedures. • Participate in grant-writing and budget management, where appropriate.
- Qualifications
- Requirements: • B.S. degree in a biological science and at least 2 years arthropod diagnostic experience. • Strong oral communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate with broad audiences and general public about pests and pest management information. • Ability to work well independently as well as in a team atmosphere; self-motivated and organized. • Technical editing and writing skills. • Knowledge of website editing, image editing, and computer software such as MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, FileMaker, or ability to learn. • Valid U.S. driver’s license and ability to travel overnight. Preferred Qualifications: • M.S. degree in Entomology or related (with an entomology emphasis). • Experience with arthropod and plant-pest diagnostics in a client-based, clinical setting. Required Application Documents: Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Transcripts; in addition, three professional references with contact information will be collected, as well as a writing sample
- Job Number
- 175
- Contact Person
- Contact Marion Murray
- Contact eMail
- marion.murray@usu.edu