Apiary Inspector - Western

Position Information

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking one Apiary Inspector 1 to work in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, or Wyoming County. Apiary Inspectors travel throughout assigned regions to monitor honeybee colony health, ensuring the vitality of managed pollinators across New York State.
These positions are temporary and seasonal, working 40 hours per week, Monday‑Friday, beginning around April 1st through November 30th and dependent on operational needs. Authenticated travel within the assigned area is required. The regional assignments for these positions will be based on the location and counties within which the selected candidates live, as these positions are field‑based, with regional assignments tailored to the candidate’s location.
Apiary Inspectors ensure that colony management procedures follow State laws and regulations, recommend appropriate measures for the prevention, treatment, and control of honeybee diseases, and ensure that migratory honeybee colony transports comply with regulations of other states.

• Identifying the visible symptoms of various brood diseases and disease symptoms in adult bees.
• Sending samples to the Beltsville Bee Lab for confirmation of pest and disease issues.
• Communicating the goals of the inspection program and methods of management to beekeepers to prevent or eliminate bee diseases.
• Issuing quarantine orders to prevent movement of exotic pests or diseased colonies.
• Investigating beekeeper complaints as directed by the Albany office.
• Traveling extensively as needed for training, complaints, and other duties.
• Recording, preparing, and submitting various pay and travel expense forms, daily reports, and apiary inspection records.
• Utilizing GPS programs or maps to locate apiaries.
• Using technology equipment provided, including cellphone, tablet (iPad), laptop, and printer.
• Working independently to plan and organize work based on priority, risk, and location.
• Working within policies and procedures set by the Division of Plant Industry and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
• Enforcing New York laws relating to bee diseases, bee sales and interstate transportation of bees.

The duties of these positions require walking and standing outside in all weather conditions. Overnight travel may be required.

These are PEF‑represented positions that offer excellent benefits. Benefits include inexpensive health insurance options, free dental and vision coverage, and the opportunity for NYS pension plan membership.

Apiary Inspector Trainee​ 1 ($23.00/Hour): Two years of experience in the management of honeybee colonies or 60 college credits with at least 9 college credits in entomology, ecology, biology, agriculture, environmental studies, natural resources, or zoology.

Apiary Inspector Trainee​ 2 ($24.36/Hour): Three years of experience
* in the management of honeybee colonies, or successful completion of one season (minimum of 60 working days) as an Apiary Inspector Trainee 1.

Apiary Inspector 1 ($25.74/Hour): Four years of experience
* in the management of honeybee colonies, or successful completion of one season as an Apiary Inspector Trainee 1 and one season as an Apiary Inspector Trainee
2. Must have worked a minimum of 60 working days/season.

• Substitution: Possession of 60 college credits with at least 9 college credits in entomology, ecology, biology, agriculture, environmental studies, natural resources, or zoology may substitute for 2 years of experience.

• Knowledge of bee behavior; familiarity with bees, colony, and apiary management practices.
• Knowledge of and working experience with beekeeping equipment.
• Ability to open colonies of bees and to remove combs for visual examination, including proper removal and replacement of combs, queen excluders and other bee equipment without killing the queen and some bees.
• Basic knowledge of both larval and adult bee diseases, their life history, and symptoms.
• Willingness to accept instruction, direction, and training from supervisors and/or experienced inspectors.
• Basic knowledge and…