CHIEF BUREAU OF BIOLOGICAL PEST CONTROL LABORATORY

Definition

Under the direction of the Director, Division of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture, plans and manages the laboratories and field operations for the mass production of biological agents and supervises field evaluations, recommending control measures for forests, crop pests and other pests of agricultural commodities; provides technical laboratory services for Bureaus within the division; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Plan, organize and directs the work program of the Biological Pest Control Laboratory in providing services to determine efficiency of biological pesticides used for plant pest control.
• Supervises the propagation and dissemination of biological agents such as insect parasites, predators, entomogenous fungi, viruses and protozoa used in the biological control of plant pests.
• Plans for development of new rearing techniques utilizing biological agents in order to increase production and provide more effective control of plant pests.
• Plans and supervises field surveys to ascertain the extent of infestations by insect pests and plant diseases and recommends appropriate control measures. Evaluates the effectiveness of agents of natural control including the parasites of pests in orchards, farms and forests.
• Plans and directs the laboratory testing, investigation and evaluation of various biological and chemical substances such as juvenile hormones, sex pheromones and growth inhibitors to determine the feasibility of incorporating them into the integrated pest management system.
• Supervises laboratory tests to determine the degree of efficiency of biological control agents on various insect pests.
• Approves the distribution of biological agents maintained in the laboratory to other agencies in order to get wide dissemination and use of parasites.
• Supervises the examination and reports on plant pests submitted to laboratory for identification.
• Directs the development of operating methods and procedures concerning the regulatory actions of the bureau.
• Gives appropriate assignments and instructions to laboratory, clerical and field employees and supervises the performance of the work.
• Provides professional advice and assistance to county, municipal, State, Federal and private agencies on plant pest problems in order to coordinate the proper control measures.
• Conducts large scales field test of new biological technologies for practical field application and public implementation.
• Participates in cooperative pest management programs involving federal, State, and private agencies so that there is a unified approach to common problems.
• Develops the Bureau plan of work and annual budget requests; establishes Bureau operating standards and procedures, give appropriate assignments and instruction to bureau personnel and evaluates work performances; makes recommendations for program and organizational improvement to the Director.
• Manages the Bureau operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promotion and/or disciplining of employees.
• Organizes and conducts training programs for professional and technical staff.
• Prepares technical correspondence, bulletins, circulars, statistical data and reports in order to more effectively evaluate the results of the biological control program.
• Prepares and presents programs explaining the functions of the Plant Laboratory to interested groups and individuals.
• Supervises the establishment and maintenance of Plant Laboratory records and files in order to have findings and recommendations available when needed.
• May be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in Plant Science or Biological Science.

Experience

Five (5) years of professional experience in laboratory and/or field work rearing and distributing beneficial insects, and other biological agents used in an integrated (chemical and biological) agricultural pest control programs two (2) years of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.

License

Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Thorough knowledge of plant pest parasite taxonomy (classification) as it relates to mass rearing techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of the methods and techniques of insect parasite rearing and the distribution of beneficial parasites and pathogens, including the determination of the results of such distributions.
• Thorough knowledge of the problems, methods, procedures and materials used in determining damage done by plant pests.
• Thorough knowledge of plant pests of economic significance to the United States agricultural interests.
• Considerable knowledge of entomology and horticulture.
• Considerable knowledge of pheromones, juvenile hormones, growth inhibitors, pesticides and other chemical substances which can be utilized in the integrated (chemical and biological) pest control strategy.
• Considerable knowledge of management principles, policies, procedures and theories.
• Ability to plan, organize and direct the staff of a biological control laboratory of agricultural pests.
• Ability to acquire wide knowledge of State Laws rules and regulations and departmental policies and procedures concerning plant parasites and pests found to be destructive in New Jersey.
• Ability to assign, instructs, and manages the work performance of Plant Laboratory employees.
• Ability to collect, analyze and interpret data relating to control of plant pests.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze and interpret basic laws, rules and regulations.
• Ability to perform microscopic examinations of suspected bee diseases to determine the need for enforcement of control measure in bee colonies within the State.
• Ability to work closely with other Bureaus within the Division of Plant Industry in developing a coordinated program by furnishing needed technical services.
• Ability to keep abreast of current trends in literature relating to biological control.
• Ability to work cooperatively with agricultural official of other states and the United States Department of Agriculture.
• Ability to work effectively with farm groups, nurseryman, and other in carrying out phases of entomological activities.
• Ability to speak before professional, civil, business, and other groups concerning regulatory or control programs of the Bureau.
• Ability to prepare or supervise the preparation of technical correspondence and clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative reports on the regulatory and control programs of Bureau concern including findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Ability to prepare and implement program plans, budgets and management reports.
• Ability to supervise the maintenance of essential records, reports, and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording information systems used by the agency, office or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.

A Master's degree in either biological or plant science may be substituted for one year of the indicated non-supervisory experience.