Job Description
Session: Summer (May - August) Position Title: Plant Pest Survey Specialist Intern
Hiring Manager: Brenda Sievers
Agency:Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Location: Statewide
Minimum Salary: $18.60/hr
*APPLICANT MUST BE A CURRENT PART-TIME OR FULL-TIME STUDENT (MINIMUM OF 6 CREDIT HOURS) IN UPCOMING SEMESTER OR IN THE IMMEDIATELY PRECEDING SEMESTER. The successful applicants will assist Plant Protection with plant pest survey activities and/or the Bio-control Program. Plant pest survey activities involve attempting to locate exotic and invasive pests and weeds that threaten the agricultural industry in South Dakota. This position may be physically demanding, requiring frequent walking over variable terrain, sweep-netting, sample collection, or equipment setup as part of field activities. This position involves frequent contact with farmers, ranchers, business owners, or the public.
This position will include the following duties:
- Place and bait insect traps in accordance with directions.
- Periodically inspect these traps, and conduct an initial screen for the target pests.
- Conduct sweep net or visual observation for plant diseases, insects, or invasive plants.
- Walk through crop fields, forest, or other terrain to conduct survey activities.
- Collect and submit suspect samples.
- Use GPS to track the survey activities.
- Assist with other field activities such as the Bio-Control or other Plant Industry programs.
Qualifications:
Applicant must be enrolled as a part-time/full-time student at a college, university, or technical institute at the time they apply. By the start of the internship, the student should have completed one year (nine months) of their chosen program.
All students are encouraged to apply, but preference may be given to applicants with a standing of junior/senior, South Dakota residents, and students of South Dakota institutions.
Applicants must be pursuing a degree in an agricultural related field such as, but not limited to: General Agriculture, Agricultural Education, Agronomy, Entomology, Plant Pathology, Plant Biology, Conservation, Forestry, or Range Management. Other specific degrees may be considered upon approval by the SD Bureau of Human Resources and Administration.
Applicant must:
- be able to accurately follow oral and written directives;
- be able to work independently;
- possess good oral and written communication skills;
- be willing to travel overnight three to four nights per week;
- have a valid driver's license; and
- be able to operate all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and pass an ATV Safety Course.
Technical familiarity with entomology, plant pathology, and/or botany is essential. However, the most vital attribute in a pest survey intern is a desire to learn and explore the agriculture industry in South Dakota, while stretching their personal horizons. Applicants with an interest in biological conservation or invasive species will likely find the survey projects interesting and rewarding.
*Positions can be filled prior to the closing date.* Apply at: https://gen-stateofsouthdako-trn.inforcloudsuite.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=VP
South Dakota Bureau of Human Resources
Telephone: 605.773.3148
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
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