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State of Washington

Bilingual Pesticide Communications Specialist

State of Washington, Olympia, Washington, us, 98504


AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities - from ensuring food safety to environmental protection - touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

Are you an individual with great communication and a passion for training?

The Technical Services and Education Program is hiring a full-time permanent Bilingual Pesticide Communications Specialist in Washington State!

The Technical Services and Education Program (TSEP) provides a wide array of pesticide safety training education to the agricultural sector throughout Washington State. We work together with partners to deliver these bilingual (Spanish & English) trainings which include Pesticide Handler Training, Private Applicator Pre-license Training, Worker Protection Standard Train the Trainer, Respirator Train the Trainer, Sprayer Application Equipment Best Management Practices, On-farm Sprayer Calibration Technical,

Assistance, Pesticide Waste Disposal

as well as speaking on pesticide safety related topics at many recertification events. The TSEP program also collects pesticides that are no longer useful and assists with their disposal. Through these activities, the TSEP team supports Washington's Agricultural Industry in maintaining a safe work environment for themselves and the community.

The Bilingual (Spanish & English) Pesticide Communications Specialist position works to complete the program mission by performing complex and highly technical regulatory, training and outreach activities that include technical assistance, education and more. This position participates in community events, coordinates training workshops, develops program brochures and flyers, and leads translates and reviews training materials training activities, curriculum updates, and delivery for pesticide safety training programs. In this position the incumbent liaisons with internal and external stakeholders to facilitate and promote collaborations, manage training records, develop pesticide safety training videos and technical material for websites pages and outreach activities. This position does require regular travel to attend meetings and facilitate trainings.

This position is approved for a home duty station but must reside in Central, Washington. This is a Washington Public Employees Association represented position.

Incumbents will also receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

Include, but not limited to:

* Function as a lead coordinator for all Spanish/English translations of documents such as, but not limited to: letters, fliers, brochures, videos, public announcements and other pertinent documents for the TSEP program and other PMD documents as needed and time allows.* Assign Spanish/English translation and peer reviewing tasks to TSEP staff. Additionally, this position checks final translations before they get published.* Coordinate the translation of TSEP webpages.* Participate in the development and maintenance of a translation guidance document for English/Spanish translations for TSEP and PMD.* Collaborate with WSDA's Pesticide Licensing program and WSU to ensure Spanish pesticide exams as well as Spanish study manuals use adequate and proper terminology.* Collaborate with other TSEP staff to ensure all training curriculums and materials are properly and accurately translated.* Function as a liaison between TSEP, PMD and WSDA's communications office to ensure Spanish language materials are appropriate and adequate for the target audience.* Identify internal and external supportive resources to aid with highly technical or complex translations.* Establish new partnerships with agricultural commodity groups statewide to increment accessibility to TSEP training programs.* Explore collaborations with educational institutions including universities and community colleges to create additional educational opportunities to the agricultural work force.* Build relationships with agricultural producers that could lead to better understand the needs of the agricultural industry to improve the quality and quantity of training opportunities.* Support Annual TSEP Stakeholder meetings to assess pesticide training needs and establish priorities* Develop and deliver bilingual (Spanish and English) public presentations on pesticide related issues and pesticide laws and rules.* Develop training fliers and brochures in both English and Spanish languages.* Participate as instructors in pesticide safety training programs as needed.

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

A total of Eight (8) years of experience and/or education as described below:

* Experience in: the fertilizer, pesticide, or pest management field industry which includes experience equivalent to a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1.* Education: involving a major study in a natural or physical science.

All experience and education combinations that meet the requirements for this position:

Possible Combinations

College credits or degree - as listed above

Years of experience equivalent to Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1

Years of required experience - as listed above

Combination 1

No college credits or degree

2 years of experience

8 years of experience

Combination 2

30-59 semester or 45-89 quarter college credits

2 years of experience

7 years of experience

Combination 3

60-89 semester or 90-134 quarter college credits (AA degree)

2 years of experience

6 years of experience

Combination 4

90-119 semester or 135-179 quarter college credits

2 years of experience

5 years of experience

Combination 5

A Bachelor's Degree

2 years of experience

4 years of experience

Combination 6

A Master's Degree

1 year of experience

2 years of experience

Combination 7A Ph.D. 1 year of experience1 year of experience

AND

* Must have a valid Washington State Driver's license to travel on official agency business, or be able to obtain a license within 60 days of employment.* Be highly proficient in both English and Spanish languages both written and verbal.* Must be eligible for and able to obtain the following upon hire:* WSDA Public Operator / Consultant Pesticide License* Air-assist Private Applicator's License* 40-Hour Hazardous Materials Training (HAZMAT) certification with annual 8-hour refresher courses* Medical evaluation, training and fit testing for respirator use

In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities would make your application more competitive:

* Extensive knowledge of federal, state and local laws and rules governing pesticide use and farmworker protection.* Professional experience as Spanish/English translator and/or interpreter.* Professional experience in public speaking in both English and Spanish languages.* Experience working with social media and website editing.

Employee Benefits

* A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.* WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.* 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.* All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.* Commute Trip Reduction Program.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

* Current resume detailing experience and education* A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.* Three professional references

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with?criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.