Plant Pathologist
The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works hard to protect and promote Wisconsin’s agricultural industries and consumers. As an agency, we strive to serve the people of Wisconsin assuring: safe, wholesome food; consumer protection and fair business practices; animal and plant health; a clean environment; and strong agriculture and commerce. To successfully attain these goals, we recognize our success hinges on the diverse, high quality, dedicated staff we employ.
DATCP currently has an opening for a Plant Pathologist (Plant Pest Disease Specialist – Senior) position. This position is located at the Plant Industry Bureau Laboratory located in Madison, WI. We are only minutes away from the Beltline Highway, Interstate 90 and Highway 51 for quick access to local restaurants, retail and service locations.
This position offers the State of Wisconsin’s excellent benefits package, which includes 19.5 days of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan!
Position Summary
The Plant Pathologist position is responsible for performing laboratory tests to identify plan diseases of agricultural, forest, and ornamental crops. The position identifies plant diseases and other plant problems, performs complex plan pathogen investigations and participates in pest survey and regulatory programs.
Salary Information
The classification of this position is Plant Pest Disease Specialist – Senior, which is in schedule-range 15-03 with a starting pay of $56,160-$60,320 annually, based on qualifications. This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. A 12-month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan.
Job Details
All state employees are required to report their COVID vaccination status, whether they are vaccinated or not, and must provide supporting documentation if vaccinated. Newly hired employees will be required to submit this information within their first two weeks of employment.
A criminal background check will be performed on the selected applicant prior to an offer of employment.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States (i.e., a citizen or national of the U.S., a lawful permanent resident, an alien authorized to work in the U.S. without DATCP sponsorship) at the time of application.
Possession of a valid driver's license including personal automobile insurance, or the ability to provide one’s own transportation for work purposes, is required.
Travel is required for up to 10% of this position’s duties.
Qualifications
Minimally qualified candidates will have each of the following:
- Experience and/or education in one of the following: Microbiology, Bacteriology, or Plant Pathology, or similar, such as the principles of classification and identification of microorganisms, the practice of isolation and identification of microorganisms.
- Experience using aseptic laboratory techniques relating to one of these areas: personal hygiene, reagents and media, and/or handling of equipment.
In addition, highly qualified candidates will have one or more of the following:
- Experience using or creating standard operating procedures in a laboratory.
- Experience using diagnostic methodologies (microscopy, isolation, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), nucleic acid extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and/or real-time PCR) in the detection of plant pathogens.
- Experience managing or creating an electronic database.