Entomologist and WSDAC Curator - Internal

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities - from ensuring food safety to environmental protection - touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity:

The Pest Program conducts surveys, diagnostics and control activities for pests and diseases of important agricultural commodities throughout Washington State. Pest Program employees conduct surveys for Japanese beetle, spongy moth, apple maggot, northern giant hornet, Phytophthora ramorum, Spartina and other invasive insect pests, diseases, and noxious weeds. Some employees work in the Plant Pest and Molecular Diagnostics Lab, or the Entomology labs in Olympia or Yakima to provide diagnostics of survey samples.

Others assist with control and eradication efforts for northern giant hornet, Japanese beetle, spongy moth, invasive snails, Spartina and knotweed. Regardless of the threat, Pest program employees use cutting edge technology, scientific processes, and teamwork to protect some of Washington's most valuable agricultural crops

The Entomology Collection Curator is a critical part of the technical activities and services of the WSDA entomology laboratory. This position maintains databases integrating taxonomy, systematics, field data, and specimen holdings information, allowing accurate and timely reporting on exotic pest surveys and other regional insect knowledge. This position responds to agency and public requests for identification.

This position uses scientific literature and WSDA data to define areas of research and prepare reports for stakeholders, funding agencies, and other scientists, and to author scientific publications for peer-reviewed journals. This position has primary responsibility for maintaining the WSDA arthropod collection (WSDAC) and associated databases, a physical insect specimen collection necessary for the agency's pest-identification mission and collaboration with other agencies and institutions.

Important Notes:

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time internal permanent Natural Resource Scientist 2 position within the Plant Protection Division. This position will need to report to Tumwater, Washington. The Natural Resource Scientist 2 position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is:
Range 58, Step A $66,372 - Step L $87,048 annually. What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

Analyze data and prepare scientific reports

* Prepare manuscripts on arthropod taxonomy, biogeography, and WSDA field research for submittal to peer-reviewed journals.

* Assess collected data in combination with a thorough literature review to provide results and conclusions for use in manuscripts, reports, and presentations.

* Analyze primary data and metadata using appropriate statistical techniques.

* Interpret scientific research and data analysis to determine potential areas of future research projects.

* Navigate and utilize public biodiversity databases to generate reliable data on phenology and biogeography of target species.

* Develop research projects, outlining the scope and determining the approach and research methods.

* Develop and compose outreach publications and identification resources.

Oversee WSDAC database

* Use database software to independently create and populate the WSDAC database with specimen and survey data.

* Collaborate with WSDA survey staff and others, as necessary, to obtain all necessary data to ensure that records within the WSDAC database are as complete as possible.

* Ensure data quality and resolve contradictions between primary data sources and relational tables, such as locality data provided by WSDA survey staff.

* Use survey and collection data to conduct research on specific questions about insect distribution and phenology, trap and lure effectiveness, and other areas of inquiry as appropriate.

* Maintain the WSDAC database in a searchable, easily accessible format for use by other WSDA staff.

* Use survey and collection data to conduct analyses for federal and state reporting.

* Regularly review scientific literature for changes in insect taxonomy and systematics.

* Ensure the WSDA collection reflects current entomological theory and practice.

* Integrate new specimens into the collection.

* Oversee collection…