Msu Extension
Associate Specialist and Plant Identification Diagnostician
Msu Extension, Bozeman, Montana, us, 59772
Associate Specialist and Plant Identification Diagnostician
Montana State University (MSU) seeks an accomplished and collaborative plant identification diagnostician to join the Schutter Diagnostic Lab (SDL), the Montana State University Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, and the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences on the MSU Bozeman campus. This is a non-tenure track, faculty appointment as Associate Extension Specialist with an opportunity for promotion.
Salary:
$55,000 - $65,000 annually, salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
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 Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and demonstrate the ability to learn new programs.
Strong organizational skills and evidence of excellent technical writing and editing skills, as well as strong oral communication skills
Ability to work with various stakeholders and audiences within and outside the department and MSU Extension.
The Successful Candidate Will
Energetic and enthusiastic team member.
Strong knowledge in plant identification, taxonomy, and weed science.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with co-workers, on-campus and off-campus constituents, and multiple stakeholder groups.
Exceptional organizational skills.
Critical thinker capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
High degree of accuracy in project management.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
recblid frnmzob1qeuswoz6w16baw4o16upe1
PDN-a0ca3ac8-bfbc-4024-b28d-4ec5cfd96791
Montana State University (MSU) seeks an accomplished and collaborative plant identification diagnostician to join the Schutter Diagnostic Lab (SDL), the Montana State University Extension Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Program, and the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences on the MSU Bozeman campus. This is a non-tenure track, faculty appointment as Associate Extension Specialist with an opportunity for promotion.
Salary:
$55,000 - $65,000 annually, salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Duties and Responsibilities:
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
Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
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 Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and demonstrate the ability to learn new programs.
Strong organizational skills and evidence of excellent technical writing and editing skills, as well as strong oral communication skills
Ability to work with various stakeholders and audiences within and outside the department and MSU Extension.
The Successful Candidate Will
Energetic and enthusiastic team member.
Strong knowledge in plant identification, taxonomy, and weed science.
Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively with co-workers, on-campus and off-campus constituents, and multiple stakeholder groups.
Exceptional organizational skills.
Critical thinker capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.
High degree of accuracy in project management.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
recblid frnmzob1qeuswoz6w16baw4o16upe1
PDN-a0ca3ac8-bfbc-4024-b28d-4ec5cfd96791