Pesticide Outreach Specialist

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking a Pesticide Outreach Specialist. Our mission is to serve, advocate, protect, and promote agriculture to benefit everyone. We support agriculture by embracing diversity, innovation, research, and trade. We offer a competitive employee benefits package, including a fully paid family health insurance plan, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement plan, and a flexible work schedule.

Salary: $4,700 - $5,000 per month; plus, benefits.

Summary of Work

As a Pesticide Outreach Specialist within the Pesticide and Fertilizer Division, you will play a key role in providing non-regulatory support to agricultural dealers and producers throughout the state. You will focus on offering compliance assistance related to state and federal pesticide and fertilizer laws, educating stakeholders, and ensuring they adhere to necessary guidelines. Your efforts will be centered around education, outreach, and providing valuable resources to help maintain industry standards and best practices.

• Deliver presentations to industry professionals on the proper use and safety of pesticides.
• Manage and oversee the state's pesticide disposal program, Project Safe Send.
• Track and monitor the success of the program, utilizing spreadsheets to manage outreach statistics.
• Conduct non-regulatory inspections to provide compliance assistance.
• Stay informed on new federal pesticide laws, rules, and policy changes, providing feedback to the EPA on their impact in North Dakota.
• Inform North Dakota pesticide users about new pesticide laws, rules, and policy changes.
• Collaborate with NDSU Extension to develop and present educational materials related to pesticide use.
• Promote safe pesticide usage through focused outreach initiatives.
• Represent the Commissioner at agricultural events related to pesticide use and safety.
• Provide occasional assistance with fieldwork in the Pesticide and Fertilizer Division.
• Travel in-state and out-of-state as required, with some overnight and weekend travel as needed.

This position will support the Commissioner in coordination with the Pesticide and Fertilizer Division. Given the need for considerable onsite involvement, the role is an in-office position based in Bismarck.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture, agricultural education, natural or biological sciences, or a related field, with two (2) years of pesticide related work experience, or
• Associate degree in agriculture, agricultural education, natural or biological sciences, or a related field, with four (4) years of pesticide related work experience.
• Additional relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the educational requirements on a year-for-year basis.
• Strong communication skills (verbal, written, public speaking, and interpersonal).
• An ability to lift and/or move up to 50 pounds and work in extreme weather conditions to occasionally assist the Pesticide and Fertilizer Division with fieldwork.
• A valid Class D driver's license is required for in-state travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with pest management principles and pesticide use.
• Knowledge of or experience with North Dakota agriculture.
• Familiarity with state pesticide laws and regulations.
• Proven ability in public speaking and delivering technical presentations.
• Experience in outreach and educational activities.
• Commercial or private pesticide certification.

Application Procedures:

Applicants must complete the online application at www.nd.gov/careers before the closing date by 11:59 PM, including a resume, cover letter and college transcript(s) (official or unofficial). The cover letter must include a detailed summary of how your education, work experience, and skills qualify you for this position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Department of Agriculture does not provide sponsorship.

Applicants who experience technical difficulties during the application process should contact recruiter@nd.gov or 701-328-3290. For more information or if you need accommodation or assistance in the application or selection process, please contact Shelley Theisen, Human Resource Offer at (701) 328-4757 or 1-800-242-7535.

About Team ND

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Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.