Horticultural Inspector 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS)
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, New York, NY, United States
Position Information
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Horticultural Inspector 1 or Trainee to work in Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego County. As a Horticultural Inspector 1 or Trainee, you will be responsible for inspecting plants, nurseries, and greenhouses for injurious insects and diseases, recommend control methods, ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, engage with the public, attend industry meetings, support division staff with survey data collection using GIS, provide analytical reports, and assist in managing mobile data collection devices.
Responsibility Overview
Inspect plants, nurseries, and greenhouses for pests and diseases.
Recommend control and eradication methods.
Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations on sale and transport of plants.
Engage with public and tradespeople to raise awareness of division activities and regulations.
Attend industry meetings and serve on industry committees when requested.
Support survey data collection using GIS applications and provide analytical reports.
Assist in technical support of communication applications and systems.
Assist in management of mobile data collection devices.
Salary
The starting salary for a Horticultural Inspector Trainee 1 is $53,764 per year (SG‑14). After the first year of the two‑year traineeship, promotion to Trainee 2 (SG‑16) offers a starting salary of $59,994 per year. Upon completion of the second year, permanent advancement to Horticultural Inspector 1 (SG‑18) provides a starting salary of $66,951 per year. Employees may be eligible for direct appointment to higher levels per qualification.
Benefits
Benefits include Health Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, paid parental leave, paid time off, and potential eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Within the first year, you are eligible for 5 days of personal time, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester credit hours in horticulture, forestry, plant pathology, botany, ecology, entomology, environmental studies/plant science, or related biological science. Satisfying qualifications exclude human health, medical entomology, and unrelated chemistry. Satisfactory horticulture experience may substitute up to 60 college credits at a rate of one year = 30 semester credit hours.
Advanced Placement
Eligible applicants with an additional year of experience in horticulture production, plant pest management, landscape installation and maintenance, extension education, or inspection may be appointed to Trainee 2 and reduce traineeship by one year. Applicants with an additional two years of experience may be appointed to full performance title, Horticultural Inspector 1 (SG‑18).
Travel Requirements
The position may require extensive travel within the designated region and operating a motor vehicle is possible. A valid New York State driver’s license is required. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule.
Other Information
This is a PEF‑represented position. Status: Full‑time, Permanent, Competitive. Working hours: 40 per week. Location: Chenango, Delaware, Otsego County. Vacancies: One. Negotiating unit: PEF. Division: Plant Industry.
NY HELPS Program
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS), allowing non‑competitive appointment with eventual conversion to competitive status within one year of permanent appointment.
EEO Statement
The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodation. If you need an accommodation, please visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.
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The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Horticultural Inspector 1 or Trainee to work in Chenango, Delaware, and Otsego County. As a Horticultural Inspector 1 or Trainee, you will be responsible for inspecting plants, nurseries, and greenhouses for injurious insects and diseases, recommend control methods, ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, engage with the public, attend industry meetings, support division staff with survey data collection using GIS, provide analytical reports, and assist in managing mobile data collection devices.
Responsibility Overview
Inspect plants, nurseries, and greenhouses for pests and diseases.
Recommend control and eradication methods.
Ensure compliance with state and federal regulations on sale and transport of plants.
Engage with public and tradespeople to raise awareness of division activities and regulations.
Attend industry meetings and serve on industry committees when requested.
Support survey data collection using GIS applications and provide analytical reports.
Assist in technical support of communication applications and systems.
Assist in management of mobile data collection devices.
Salary
The starting salary for a Horticultural Inspector Trainee 1 is $53,764 per year (SG‑14). After the first year of the two‑year traineeship, promotion to Trainee 2 (SG‑16) offers a starting salary of $59,994 per year. Upon completion of the second year, permanent advancement to Horticultural Inspector 1 (SG‑18) provides a starting salary of $66,951 per year. Employees may be eligible for direct appointment to higher levels per qualification.
Benefits
Benefits include Health Insurance, Dental and Vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, paid parental leave, paid time off, and potential eligibility for the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Within the first year, you are eligible for 5 days of personal time, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree with at least 24 semester credit hours in horticulture, forestry, plant pathology, botany, ecology, entomology, environmental studies/plant science, or related biological science. Satisfying qualifications exclude human health, medical entomology, and unrelated chemistry. Satisfactory horticulture experience may substitute up to 60 college credits at a rate of one year = 30 semester credit hours.
Advanced Placement
Eligible applicants with an additional year of experience in horticulture production, plant pest management, landscape installation and maintenance, extension education, or inspection may be appointed to Trainee 2 and reduce traineeship by one year. Applicants with an additional two years of experience may be appointed to full performance title, Horticultural Inspector 1 (SG‑18).
Travel Requirements
The position may require extensive travel within the designated region and operating a motor vehicle is possible. A valid New York State driver’s license is required. Field work and travel expenses are reimbursed on a fixed schedule.
Other Information
This is a PEF‑represented position. Status: Full‑time, Permanent, Competitive. Working hours: 40 per week. Location: Chenango, Delaware, Otsego County. Vacancies: One. Negotiating unit: PEF. Division: Plant Industry.
NY HELPS Program
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS), allowing non‑competitive appointment with eventual conversion to competitive status within one year of permanent appointment.
EEO Statement
The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodation. If you need an accommodation, please visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.
#J-18808-Ljbffr