Noxious WEED Specialist III and IV; SR-- HAWAII ; OHHI

Recruitment Number: OHHI-26008

Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity – Kona, Hawaii.

Noxious Weed Specialist III or IV

• III Level: $5,107 – $6,221 per month (SR‑20, Step D to I)
• IV Level: $5,527 – $6,728 per month (SR‑22, Step D to I)

Responsible for technical research, development, regulatory work, and advisory services in the prevention, control, and eradication of noxious weeds and other plant pests. The Specialist plans and conducts special investigations for Level IV. Duties include training lower-level specialists, supervising cooperative control projects, and performing other duties as required.

The position may involve occasional night work, weekend work, inter‑island travel by air or sea, and stays of 1–2 nights. Employees must wear appropriate safety gear, including respirators, particle masks, safety glasses, splash goggles, full-length aprons, coveralls, nitrile gloves, etc.

• Legal Authorization to Work: Citizen, national, or permanent resident of the U.S.; eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment.
• Basic
  
  Education:
  
  
  • Graduation with a baccalaureate degree majoring in any of:
    Agriculture, Botany, Landscape, Integrated Pest Management, Entomology, Horticulture, Nematology, Plant and Environmental Protection Science, Plant Pathology, Tropical Agriculture and the Environment, Tropical Plant and Soil Science.
  • Or a Biological or Agricultural Science degree with coursework in at least one entomology, nematology, pest management, plant protection science, plant pathology, tropical agriculture/environments, virology, agroecology, agronomy, botany, horticulture, plant physiology, weed science, or related courses.
• Specialized
  
  Experience:
  
  
  • 1.5 years at the III level or 2.5 years at the IV level performing or supervising research, development, and regulatory work in noxious weed or plant pest control.
• Substitutions Allowed: Relevant substitutions are considered per minimum qualification requirements.
• Lifting and Carrying: Ability to lift and carry up to 45 pounds unassisted and up to 75 pounds assisted or with equipment.
• Driver’s License: Valid driver’s license required at time of appointment.

• Obtain DAB Commercial Applicator Cat 9 and 10 certification by the fourth month of employment.
• Complete a Pulmonary Function Test to assess respirator fitness for positions with environmental exposure.
• Proof of eligibility to perform duties will be evaluated beyond experience count.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program available to qualifying employees.

The State of Hawai‘i complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If you require accommodations in completing an application, any pre‑employment testing, or any other part of the selection process, please call 808‑587‑1111.