Agency

Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services

Division

Agriculture Consumer Service

Job Classification Title

Agricultural Research Specialist (S)

Position Number

60012507

Grade

NC12

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 October 14, 2026.

The primary purpose of this position is to develop, implement, and coordinate a comprehensive Spongy Moth (formerly gypsy moth) Program in North Carolina in cooperation with multiple federal, state, and private partner organizations. This position cooperates with the United States Department of Agriculture - Animal and Plant Health Inspection - Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ), United States Department of Agriculture - Forest Service (USDA-FS), NC Forest Service (NCFS), the Slow the Spread Foundation, Inc. (STS), and NC Cooperative Extension (NCCE) to prevent the premature establishment of the spongy (gypsy) moth into uninfested areas of North Carolina. The comprehensive spongy moth program includes statewide work activities related to survey/monitoring, control/eradication and regulatory functions. At the present time, spongy moth activities in North Carolina consist of three separate programs: the state-wide spongy moth program (includes collaborative work with the USDA-APHIS-PPQ, USDA-FS and the NCFS), the Slow the Spread project (includes collaborative work with the Slow the Spread Foundation, Inc.), and the spongy moth regulatory effort (includes collaborative work with the USDA-APHIS-PPQ and the STS Foundation).

The primary responsibilities for this position center on spongy moth program operations, including program planning and coordination, survey/monitoring components, control/eradication treatments, compilation and management of program data, oversight and management of related funding and assigned reports, management of regulatory and compliance issues, representing the program at annual meetings, education/public awareness, and outreach. Additional responsibilities of this position may include overseeing and/or contributing to other regulatory forest pest health programs as they arise.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $47,703 - $56,647

• Ability to develop financial plans and budgets with effective written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with field personnel, the general public, and extension staff.
• Ability to train and supervise personnel in field inspections and surveys.
• Ability to work independently and to function as an effective team member.
• Knowledge of pesticide treatment techniques.

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.

Bachelor’s degree preferably related to the assigned program area; 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: [email protected]