Insect Quarantine Officer

Job Description

Virginia Tech's Department of Entomology seeks to attract a highly qualified person to manage the Beneficial Insects Quarantine Laboratory at Virginia Tech. This quarantine laboratory is under the control of the Department of Entomology of Virginia Tech and is located five miles west of Blacksburg at the Virginia Tech Prices Fork Research Center. Major objectives of this facility are to screen arthropods as potential biological control agents of noxious weeds and arthropod pests. This includes host specificity testing of exotic beneficial insects and determination of their basic biology before their introduction into the United States. This facility also allows for the study of insects that are regionally quarantined yet pose a threat to Virginia agriculture, natural, and other managed ecosystems. The person in this position has operational responsibilities that requires them to handle all the formal permitting processes for the facility itself, as well as maintain a current standard operating procedures and enforce compliance by all users. The individual will also serve in a supportive role with all faculty that manage projects that pass through the quarantine facility. The incumbent will coordinate activities with the principal scientist as well as their staff and students to facilitate activities in the quarantine facility. The incumbent will coordinate all record keeping and provide oversight of day-to-day operations.

Required Qualifications

Masters degree in entomology; Significant experience running an insect laboratory and supervising lab operations; Significant research and operational experience in classical biological control activities that include host-range testing of potential biological control agents, release, and evaluation of approved biological control agents, insect rearing, and experience with plant growth.

Preferred Qualifications

Strong written and oral communication skills; Ability to analyze experimental data, and write reports and contribute to or coauthor research papers.

Appointment Type

Regular

Salary Information

Commensurate with Experience

Review Date

08/20/2021

Additional Information

The successful Candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges , a school of medicine , a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School , and Honors College . The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including the Innovation Campus in Northern Virginia; the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke; sites in Newport News and Richmond; and numerous Extension offices and research centers . A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $500 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Dr. Scott Salom at salom@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: July 28, 2021
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