Extension Associate Specialist and Plant Identification Diagnostician

Extension Associate Specialist and Plant Identification Diagnostician Please see Special Instructions for more details.

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

Announcement Number: FAC - VA - 26034

Working Title:

Extension Associate Specialist and Plant Identification Diagnostician

Salary: $55,000 – $65,000 annually, salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Location:

MSU Bozeman campus

Contract Type: LOA

FTE: 1.0

Division:
College of Agriculture/MAES

Department:
Land Resources & Environmental Sciences

Recruitment Type:
Open

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with various individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University. This is a full-time, non-tenure track faculty position. The associate specialist will provide weed and invasive plant identification and management recommendations for agricultural, rangeland, and horticultural/residential systems through the Schutter Diagnostic Lab (SDL).

The associate specialist will also provide information on environmental and cultural conditions that cause problems including presence of weeds and herbicide damage. SDL clientele includes but is not limited to Extension field faculty, county weed district coordinators, landowners, agricultural producers, industry consultants, homeowners, green industry professionals, and state and federal entities. The successful candidate will provide management recommendations to clients;

perform public outreach including presentations, publications, and media appearances; write fact sheets, manuscripts and grants as appropriate; update websites; and assist the Montana State Extension integrated pest management (IPM) team to perform public outreach. For additional information, please visit Schutter Diagnostic Lab web page
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• Receive plant identification samples and herbicide injury samples; identify plant specimens; diagnose herbicide injury symptoms; prepare timely responses to clientele. Maintain records and databases. Respond to emails and phone inquiries about plant identification, herbicide symptomology, and weed management.
• Interact frequently with members of the general public, MSU Extension field faculty, county weed district coordinators, state and federal agencies, faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture, pesticide applicators, and various plant production industries in Montana.
• Work collaboratively with members of the SDL team to determine pathway of diagnosis, coordinate SDL day-to-day business, and coordinate responsibilities to the Great Plains Diagnostic Network and National Plant Diagnostic Network. Collaborate with the MSU Extension IPM team and other plant taxonomists as needed and participate in periodic group meetings.
• Perform public outreach including conducting presentations, webinars, and media appearances and develop and maintain publications, websites, videos, and other training materials.
• Write fact sheets, MSU Extension Ag and Urban Alerts in a timely manner, manuscripts, and grants as appropriate, contribute to SDL annual reporting and help maintain relevant program websites.
• Report and/or respond to regulated, noxious, or invasive plant species and concerns as they arise and follow confidentiality guidelines as needed.
• Maintain the SDL plant identification lab safety requirements and safety standard operating procedures required for lab accreditation.
• Contribute to Extension field faculty training and other outreach activities hosted by the SDL, MSU Extension, and other agencies.
• Conduct evaluations of extension and outreach activities.

• M.S. in weed science, plant sciences, botany, plant taxonomy, environmental sciences, or related fields.
• Experience identifying plants with dichotomous and multi-entry keys.
• Ability to translate technical information into easily understandable materials using a wide variety of communication methods.
• Must be proficient in MS…