Plant Pest Specialist

Agency

Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services

Division

Agriculture Consumer Service

Job Classification Title

Agricultural Program Specialist I (NS)

Position Number

60012543

Grade

NC13

About Us

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

Description of Work

Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.

This is an anticipated vacancy on November 2nd, 2026.

The mission of the Plant Industry Division is to protect the state’s agriculture and natural environment from introduced plant pests, including insects, diseases, and noxious weeds and to protect our state’s endangered and threatened plants and to ensure seed and fertilizer and other soil additives offered for sale in North Carolina meet prescribed standards and are truthfully labeled.

The Plant Pest Specialist is responsible for implementing pest risk mitigation strategies including plant pest quarantines, point of origin inspections, pest-free areas, certification and permitting, and administration of compliance agreements within an assigned work area. The position conducts nursery inspections, nursery dealer inspections, aquatic dealer inspections, along with the implementation of all plant certification programs including the management of export certification requirements and issuance of Federal Phytosanitary Certificates. The position is responsible for the implementation of all insect, disease and weed programs, including trapping, monitoring and eradication/control responsibilities. This position, in compliance with outlined regulations, issues certificates or permits as necessary for the movement of regulated articles. This position serves as a technical consultant and liaison between producers, agribusiness, extension, and the general public in order to solve plant pest regulatory problems. Region 3 Plant Pest Specialist oversees all plant regulatory programs in the following counties: Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, Vance, Warren.

Applicant must obtain their pesticide applicators license within one year of hire.

Applicant must become a United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) Authorized Certifying Official (ACO) within prescribed USDA allocated timeline.

Applicant must become a NCNLA Certified Plant Professional within 18 months of hire.

Position is a home based/field work position.

Selected candidate must reside in, or be willing to move to Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, Vance, or Warren or any adjoining county.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $50,088 - $56,000

• Ability to learn and effectively interpret state and federal laws relating to plant pests.
• Knowledge of the principles of entomology, plant pathology, weed science, or horticulture.
• Ability to identify plant pests and to provide control measures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the nursery industry and the agricultural community, the general public and extension staff.
• Ability to work independently and to function as an effective team member.

Click Here to Learn more about State Employee Benefits.

Any employment offer may be less than the maximum of the range due to salary equity with similarly situated employees or the selected candidate's related education and experience.

Please follow the instructions to apply online. It is important that your application includes all your relevant education and experience. Text or attached resumes ARE NOT accepted as a substitution for a completed application. Applicants seeking veteran's/National Guard preference should submit a copy of their Form DD-214, NGB 23A (RPAS), DD256 or NGB 22.

All Law Enforcement positions, aviation safety-sensitive positions, and positions requiring a Pilot's License or a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) shall be subject to pre-employment drug testing. All positions requiring a Commercial Driver's License shall also be subject to pre-employment DMV physicals. Selected applicants must obtain a U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) medical certificate prior to employment. If a CDL is listed as a preference and the selected applicant has a CDL at the time of hire, then the CDL will become a requirement for the position.

• Note: When required, you must answer the question(s) for this position, or your application will be considered incomplete. *

Questions regarding this posting? Contact 919-707-3201.

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Plant Pest Regulatory Programs Bachelor's degree in entomology, plant pathology or horticulture with an emphasis on pest management, crop science or closely related biological science from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of plant inspection/specialist experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Lori Lynnette Reed

Recruiter Email: agr.workday@ncagr.gov