Plant Pest Specialist

State of North Carolina

. Implement pest risk mitigation strategies, including plant pest quarantines, point-of-origin inspections, pest-free areas, certification and permitting, and compliance agreements .

Posted 9/17/2026full-timeRemote • North Carolina • United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $50,088 - $56,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in pest risk mitigation strategies, including plant pest quarantines and compliance agreements, while effectively managing plant certification programs and regulatory inspections. Possesses strong knowledge of entomology, plant pathology, and horticulture, with the ability to establish relationships within the agricultural community.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Pest Risk MitigationPlant Inspection ExperienceUSDA-APHIS-PPQ CertificationPesticide Applicators LicenseEntomology Knowledge

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Plant Pest QuarantinesPoint-of-Origin InspectionsExport Certification ManagementFederal Phytosanitary CertificatesInsect Control ProgramsDisease ManagementWeed Control ProgramsPlant Certification ProgramsRegulatory CompliancePest Identification

Soft Skills

Effective CommunicationTeam CollaborationProblem SolvingRelationship BuildingIndependent Work

Certifications & Qualifications

Pesticide Applicators LicenseUSDA-APHIS-PPQ Authorized Certifying OfficialNCNLA Certified Plant Professional

Industry Keywords

EntomologyPlant PathologyHorticultureCrop ScienceAgribusinessNursery IndustryRegulated ArticlesPlant Pest RegulationsAquatic Dealer InspectionsNursery Dealer Inspections

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Implement pest risk mitigation strategies, including plant pest quarantines, point-of-origin inspections, pest-free areas, certification and permitting, and compliance agreements
Conduct nursery, nursery dealer, and aquatic dealer inspections
Implement plant certification programs
Manage export certification requirements and issue Federal Phytosanitary Certificates
Implement insect, disease, and weed programs, including trapping, monitoring, and eradication/control
Issue certificates or permits for movement of regulated articles in compliance with regulations
Serve as a technical consultant and liaison between producers, agribusiness, extension, and the general public
Solve plant pest regulatory problems
Oversee plant regulatory programs in Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, Vance, and Warren counties

Requirements

What you’ll need

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
Applicant must obtain their pesticide applicators license within one year of hire
Applicant must become a USDA-APHIS-PPQ Authorized Certifying Official within the prescribed USDA allocated timeline
Applicant must become a NCNLA Certified Plant Professional within 18 months of hire
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 provide control measures
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the nursery industry, agricultural community, general public, and extension staff
Ability to work independently and function as an effective team member
Selected candidate must reside in, or be willing to move to, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, Vance, Warren, or an adjoining county
Relevant education and experience must be included in the completed online application; resumes are not accepted as a substitute
Applicants requiring a CDL-related role must meet applicable USDOT medical certificate and pre-employment requirements

Benefits

Comp & perks

State employee benefits
Reasonable accommodation for employees and applicants with disabilities
Reasonable accommodation for known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions
Reasonable accommodation for religious beliefs, observances, and practices
Veteran's/National Guard preference may be available