09/09/1994 56420

PLANT INDUSTRY LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

DEFINITION: This is technical work in botany, entomology, plant pathology, and seed science.

An employee in this class performs a variety of procedures in any one or more of the following areas: seed testing; isolating and identifying plant pests (fungi, bacteria, nematodes, viruses, insects, mites, and weeds); diagnosis of biotic and abiotic diseases; field and greenhouse studies and surveys for plant pests and beneficial organisms; isolation and identification of bee disease organisms; literature searches for studies on plant pests; and maintenance of the arthropod, plant and plant pathogen collections. Conducts plant science experiments, including biological, chemical and cultural control of plant pests. Work may involve conducting field surveys to collect and observe plant pests, including cultural and pesticide studies. Work is assigned by a professional supervisor who provides assistance with problems encountered and reviews work for quality and accuracy.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Uses accepted scientific procedures to prepare, culture and identify plants, plant pathogens, plant diseases, abiotic symptoms, insects and mites, diseases of honey bees, and seeds.

Conducts plant science experiments and cultural, field plot and pesticide studies.

Conducts basic laboratory, greenhouse and field studies on plant pests, plants and seeds.

Collects and records data from surveys for economically important plants, insects and mites, plant diseases, and honey bee diseases, both domestic and exotic.

Assists with maintaining/curating the arthropod and plant pathogen collections and the herbarium; mounts and labels specimens of insects, mites and plants for incorporation into the appropriate collections.

Performs procedures to determine seed purity and germination; assists with tests to determine seed viability.

Searches literature for reference material to be added to the library holdings and for data on plant pests.

Performs related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of plant and seed identification and the principles of plant sciences.

Knowledge of scientific methods used in research including literature reviews and collecting and recording data.

Knowledge of laboratory and field equipment and techniques or procedures.

Knowledge of basic computer use, such as word processing programs, spreadsheets, data bases etc.

Ability to identify common plants, seeds, insects or plant pathogens.

Ability to prepare accurate summaries of work projects.

Ability to isolate disease-causing organisms from infested bee broods and to prepare samples for identification.

Ability to handle pesticides safely.

Ability to survey for plant pests and noxious weeds and to make basic biological observations under field, greenhouse or laboratory conditions.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: An Associate Degree in Agronomy, Horticulture, Plant Science, or a related field plus one year of laboratory experience in the field of plant industry.

                                                                                                                                                                                          or

Three years of laboratory experience in the field of plant industry and training which includes 15 college credits in biological sciences related to plant industry.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 15 college credits in biological sciences related to plant industry.