CDA-Laboratory Biocontrol Specialist​/Social Science Researcher Scientist III

Who We Are

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission
The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.

Core Values
Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect

• Goal 1:
  Advancing Local Food Access
• Goal 2:
  Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture
• Goal 3:
  Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
• Goal 4:
  Advancing Animal Health and Welfare

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including a PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans ((Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).)
• Medical and dental health plans (  )
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• Benefit Hub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit:
https:///total compensation

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: .

This work unit collects, raises, and distributes biological control agents for use against weeds and insect pests. The unit also monitors the results of biocontrol releases and uses the information to formulate pest control recommendations. The unit educates resource managers and the public on the uses and benefits of biocontrol. These actions result in more effective pest control and decreased use of pesticides in the State of Colorado - serving both the agricultural industry and citizens of the state.

The purpose of this position is to implement biological control of insect pests and invasive plants. Implementation includes production or collection of biocontrol agents, monitoring them after release and educating end users about biocontrol. Each of these activities can also include a research component with the purpose of providing up-to-date science-based information to end users, about available agents and target impacts.

The purpose of biocontrol is to provide a safe, economical and effective means of weed and pest control to agricultural producers, land managers and the public of Colorado.

• This position will produce/collect biological control agents for use against insect and weed pests in Colorado.
• Agents are typically insects but may also include mites or fungi. This includes work in the greenhouses and work with production equipment, which may involve moving potting soil, and equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• This duty also includes devising appropriate rearing techniques that employ host plants or insects produced at the Insectary and documenting methods used and numbers produced.
• This may also include collection of biocontrol agents from the field using a number of techniques including sweep netting and hand picking of agents. Collection sites and documenting all collections with respect to time, place and…