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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 Pesticide Management Division is recruiting for an Internal - Lead Fertilizer Registration Specialist!
The Washington State Department of Agriculture's (WSDA) Pesticide Management Division is responsible for regulating the labeling and distribution of commercial fertilizers and pesticides. The Registration Program accomplishes this by registering fertilizers and pesticides for distribution within Washington State. This program maintains license records for bulk fertilizer manufacturing and sales facilities, sampling fertilizer products, and monitors compliance with its secondary containment rules.
The Lead Fertilizer Registration Specialist serves as a reviewer and technical content resource on pesticide and Fertilizer Registrations. This position assists higher level staff in developing policies, procedures and guidance related to Fertilizer Registration and also serves as the state representative in the national Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO), collaborates with neighboring states for consistent application of laws and rules and coordinates heavy metal and waste derivation issues with the Department of Ecology and other state agencies. This is a lead position that may train other staff in the appropriate review and registration of fertilizer products and must be knowledgeable about applicable federal and state laws, rules, and policies governing staff activities. This position must be intimately familiar with the registration review processes and databases in the section and be able to provide the necessary training, guidance and support required by staff to carry out their duties.
Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for an internal full-time permanent Lead Fertilizer Registration Specialist position within the Pesticide Management Division. This position is located in Olympia, Washington and is non-represented.
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: $59,616 Step A - $78,120 Step L annually.
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
Duties
Include, but are not limited to:
- Serve as the Lead Fertilizer Registration Specialist, providing training and guidance to other Registration staff on Fertilizer Registration issues, working closely with higher level staff in the development of policy and procedures and coordinating the activities of staff.
- Assist with the development of guidance material and application requirements.
- Develop and makes public presentations on registration issues and applicable laws and rules.
- Provide technical assistance to registrants, dealers, other governmental agencies and the public on complex and/or emerging issues.
- Represent WSDA at meetings with industry, commodity groups, and other agencies.
- Investigate new technologies in crop production and their appropriate regulation required for distribution, to include products marketed as biostimulants.
- Perform technical reviews and approve or deny applications for fertilizer products based on State Fertilizer Laws and Rules following the policies and procedures of the program.
- Review and approve or deny applications for section 3, adjuvant, and 25(b) pesticides.
- Refer possible violations to the Pesticide Compliance Program.
- Communicate with registrants, EPA, WSU and other agencies and stakeholders regarding registration issues.
- Provide expertise related to registration requirements, data needs and similar information to registrants, EPA, WSU, other agencies and stakeholders regarding registration issues.
- Review and take appropriate action on applications for Section 24c Special Local Need registrations and State Experimental Use Permits, and Section 18 Emergency Exemptions.
- Evaluate all scientific data (including efficacy, environmental, health and residue data) and documentation submitted in support of these requests; consulting with WSU, growers, commodity groups, registrants, and other agencies; working with registrants to develop specific label directions and restrictions to mitigate potential hazards to human health and the environment from proposed use.
- Work closely with and assist both internal and external staff and stakeholders in requirements, content, operation, and layout of new database/application.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public administration, law, public health, health administration, or a related field
AND
Four (4) years of professional-level experience in a natural resource, environmental or health regulatory agency, or in the feed, fertilizer or pest management industry which includes two years equal to a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1.
OR
Master’s degree in one of the above fields and two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1.
OR
Ph.D. in the above field will substitute for one-year professional experience as required above and one year as a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist.
OR
Two years of experience as a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1.
Incumbents must be eligible for and able to obtain upon hire:
- 40-hour Hazardous Materials Training (HAZ MAT) certification with annual 8-hour Refresher courses.
- Medical evaluation, training, and fit testing for respirator use.
In addition to those required qualifications, our ideal applicant will also have some or all of the following:
- Professional experience in natural resources, agricultural/fertilizer or related industries, pest management, landscape pesticide market, or health regulatory field is desired.
- Experience in working with pesticides or fertilizers, including their purchase, use, distribution, storage, disposal, recordkeeping, and / or licensing. Demonstrated experience in reading and interpreting pesticide labels.
- Must be comfortable with typing, database input, and public speaking.
- Experience providing good customer service.
Supplemental Information
How to apply:
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
Current resume detailing experience and education- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
- Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
