JOB TITLE: PLANT PATHOLOGY SUPERVISOR

JOB CODE: 56301

SERIES NATURE OF WORK: The Plant Pathology job series describes work in diagnosing and controlling the spread of plant pathogens.

DEFINITION: This is professional and supervisory work in the diagnostic testing, detection, management, and prevention of plant diseases, and the administration of surveys and certification programs to protect Pennsylvania agriculture and natural resources from plant pathogens.

An employee in this job oversees the diagnosis of regulatory plant diseases, develops diagnostic tools and methods for detecting pathogens, and provides training and consultation for statewide pathogen programs. Work involves developing and coordinating national and state surveys on emerging plant diseases; analyzing and presenting survey results to agency officials and stakeholders; assessing the risk associated with plant pathogens on nursery stock; and recommending regulatory strategies to prevent, control, and delimit plant pathogens. Work includes supervising professional, technical, and seasonal staff; collaborating with national organizations and university and industry colleagues on plant diseases of national concern; and submitting articles on plant pathology concerns to professional journals. Work is performed under the general supervision of a professional administrator and is reviewed through reports and conferences for attainment of goals and objectives, and overall program effectiveness.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is distinguished from the lower-level job based on the responsibility for supervising Plant Pathologists and other program staff.

     • Work at this level includes developing surveys and diagnostic techniques and methods.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Supervises professional, technical, or non-technical staff engaged in plant pathology program activities.

• Plans, supervises, and conducts macroscopic, microscopic, serological, molecular, and biological tests and examinations of diseased plants to detect fungi, bacteria, nematodes, and viruses.

• Designs, conducts, and implements national and statewide surveys related to high-consequence plant pathogens, evaluates survey results, and presents findings to department staff and other stakeholders.

• Develops and improves laboratory techniques for accurate and rapid diagnosis of plant pathogens.

• Recommends and develops regulatory strategies to prevent the introduction and spread of high-consequence plant pathogens.

• Organizes and maintains databases of diagnostic procedures and sampling results for the plant pathology program.

• Shares technical information and professional expertise with other agricultural, research, and teaching organizations through lectures, seminars, scientific papers, and popular articles.

• Administers cooperative agreements and grants to support plant inspection and certification programs.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of principles and practices of plant pathology

• Knowledge of the disciplines of plant pathology including mycology, bacteriology, nematology, virology, and epidemiology.

• Knowledge of plant disease characteristics and symptoms.

• Knowledge of plant morphology, anatomy, and physiology.

• Knowledge of procedures and techniques used in the detection, control, and eradication of plant pathogens.

• Knowledge of plant production systems and common agricultural production practices.

• Knowledge of scientific methods used in research.

• Skill in the use of laboratory equipment and instruments.

• Ability to identify a wide variety of plant diseases.

• Ability to conduct studies involving plant pathology in a laboratory and in the field.

• Ability to analyze plant disease control problems and determine appropriate courses of action.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• Two years as a Plant Pathologist (commonwealth title);

or

• Three years of professional laboratory experience in the analysis, detection, or control of plant diseases and a bachelor’s degree in agricultural studies, botany, horticulture, environmental science, microbiology, or a related field that includes 15 college credits in plant sciences;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes fifteen college credits in plant sciences.