Seasonal Plant Industries Technician

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture provides valuable hands-on experience in agriculture, plant health, and pest regulation. This position offers the opportunity to work closely with experienced Plant Industries staff, supporting a range of initiatives within the Plant Industries Division.

Our mission is to serve, advocate, protect and promote agriculture to benefit everyone. We support agriculture by embracing diversity, innovation, research and trade.

Hiring Range: $18.00 - $21.00 hourly

Hours: 40 hours per week; beginning of June 2025 through September 2025. We have the flexibility to accommodate an academic calendar year-round.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct external apiary inspections.
• Perform pest surveys, including soil sampling, insect trapping, and grain sample collection.
• Conduct agricultural and phytosanitary-related inspections, including mills, fields, and grain/seed samples.
• Collect hemp samples for laboratory testing.
• Assist with biocontrol collection and distribution.
• Participate in biocontrol field days for leafy spurge insect collection.
• Respond to apiary-related complaints.
• Support outreach and education presentations.
• Assist with clerical and mailing tasks related to pest surveys.
• Provide support as needed for all programs within the Plant Industries Division.
• In-state travel is required, primarily involving day trips with some overnight stays. The role involves working outdoors in various weather conditions to complete inspections, insect trapping, and sample collections.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High School diploma or General Education Degree (GED).
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written, to work effectively with team members, clients, and the public.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, including Word and Excel.
• Critical thinking and analytical abilities.
• Ability to travel overnight.
• A valid Class D driver's license for in-state travel.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Completed coursework or pursuing a bachelor's degree in biological sciences (entomology, plant pathology, biology, horticulture, plant science, etc.), or an agriculture-related field.
• Experience with processing and maintaining information in a database.
• Experience providing customer support regarding registration, licensing, or applications.
• Experience in outreach and/or educational activities.
• Previous experience conducting pest surveys.
• Experience presenting to various audiences.
• Experience performing inspections.
• Knowledge of GPS technology.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Outlook.

Application Procedure:

Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applicants will be considered immediately upon submitting application materials. These positions may be filled prior to the listed closing date after the successful completion of the application and interview process.

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

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorships will not be considered.

For more information about the position or if you need accommodation or assistance in the application or interview process, contact Shelley Theisen at (701) 328-4757 or 1-800-242-7535.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

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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.