Outreach Specialist

Community Outreach And Environmental Education Specialist 2

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.

The Opportunity

The Plant Protection Division supports the agriculture industry and protects the environment and consumers by protecting agriculture and the environment from insect, weed, and pathogen pests, supporting pollinator and soil health, and testing for proper weights and measures and pesticide use.

The Pest Program conducts surveys, diagnostics and control activities for pests and diseases of important agricultural commodities throughout Washington State. Pest Program employees conduct surveys for Japanese beetle, spongy moth, apple maggot, northern giant hornet, Phytophthora ramorum, Spartina and other invasive insect pests, diseases, and noxious weeds. Some employees work in the Plant Pest and Molecular Diagnostics Lab, or the Entomology labs in Olympia or Yakima to provide diagnostics of survey samples.

Others assist with control and eradication efforts for Japanese beetle, spongy moth, invasive snails, northern giant hornet, Spartina and knotweed. Regardless of the threat, Pest program employees use cutting edge technology, scientific processes, and teamwork to protect some of Washington's most valuable agriculture crops. The Outreach Specialist prioritizes needs of the Pest Program projects to coordinate, plan, and deliver outreach plans, activities, and materials to targeted audiences, communities, and the general public to help reach project success.

They research and engage through partners, events, newsletters, mailings, and various communication strategies. Activities and materials will be researched and evaluated for effectiveness. This position will assist with responding to invasive pest reports. They will support administration of outreach grants. Collaborating with the Communications Office to develop and distribute clear and concise outreach materials, online content; articles; reports; graphic representations of data;

and other materials

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time non-permanent Community Outreach and Environmental Education Specialist 2 position within the Plant Protection Division. The Outreach Specialist position is approved for a home duty station in Pierce, King, Thurston, Yakima, Grant, Douglas, Kittitas County, WA. This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Union. Will be required to manage time to travel and work evenings and weekends.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is Range 46, Step A $50,412 - Step L $66,072 annually.

What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:
Deliver project information to engage targeted audiences, communities, the public, and staff

• Research, conduct, recommend, attend, and evaluate outreach opportunities.
• Coordinate and execute logistics for events.
• Implement outreach program by workshop, exhibition, recordings, and presentation.
• Fulfill logistics delivery and tracking during outreach material distribution.
• Explain information in plain talk verbally and in writing.
• Create stakeholder and partner relations.
• Gather content for subscriber updates.
• Gather and utilize feedback to enhance engagement experience.
• Work independently to resolve issues within area of responsibility.
• Represent WSDA's Pest Program.
• Drive to deliver materials and…