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Position Details

Position Information

Announcement Number FAC - VA - 26034

For questions regarding this position, please contact:

Jane Mangold

[email protected] (%[email protected])

406-994-5513

Classification Title

Working Title Extension Associate Specialist and Plant Identification Diagnostician

Brief Position Overview

Montana State University ( MSU ) seeks an accomplished and collaborative plant identification diagnostician to join the Schutter Diagnostic Lab ( SDL ), the Montana State University Extension Integrated Pest Management ( IPM ) Program, and the Department of Land Resources and Environmental Sciences on the MSU Bozeman campus. This is a non-tenure track, faculty appointment as Associate Extension Specialist with an opportunity for promotion.

Faculty Tenure Track No

Faculty Rank NTT

Position Number 4B1245

Department Land Resources & Environ Sci

Division College of Agriculture/MAES

Appointment Type Faculty

Contract Term Fiscal Year

Semester

If other, specify From date

If other, specify End date

Union Affiliation

FTE 1.0

Benefits Eligible Eligible

Salary $55,000 – $65,000 annually, salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.

Contract Type LOA

If other, please specify

Recruitment Type Open

Position Details

General Statement

We seek individuals who work professionally and effectively with various individuals, possess effective interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills and have the ability to contribute positively to the academic success of the students and the mission of Montana State University.

This is a full-time, non-tenure track faculty position. The associate specialist will provide weed and invasive plant identification and management recommendations for agricultural, rangeland, and horticultural/residential systems through the Schutter Diagnostic Lab ( SDL ). The associate specialist will also provide information on environmental and cultural conditions that cause problems including presence of weeds and herbicide damage. SDL clientele includes but is not limited to Extension field faculty, county weed district coordinators, landowners, agricultural producers, industry consultants, homeowners, green industry professionals, and state and federal entities. The successful candidate will provide management recommendations to clients; perform public outreach including presentations, publications, and media appearances; write fact sheets, manuscripts and grants as appropriate; update websites; and assist the Montana State Extension integrated pest management ( IPM ) team to perform public outreach. For additional information, please visit the Schutter Diagnostic Lab web page (http://diagnostics.montana.edu/) .

Duties and Responsibilities

+ Receive plant identification samples and herbicide injury samples; identify plant specimens; diagnose herbicide injury symptoms; prepare timely responses to clientele. Maintain records and databases. Respond to emails and phone inquiries about plant identification, herbicide symptomology, and weed management.

+ Interact frequently with members of the general public, MSU Extension field faculty, county weed district coordinators, state and federal agencies, faculty and staff in the College of Agriculture, pesticide applicators, and various plant production industries in Montana.

+ Work collaboratively with members of the SDL team to determine pathway of diagnosis, coordinate SDL day-to-day business, and coordinate responsibilities to the Great Plains Diagnostic Network and National Plant Diagnostic Network. Collaborate with the MSU Extension IPM team and other plant taxonomists as needed and participate in periodic group meetings.

+ Perform public outreach including conducting presentations, webinars, and media appearances and develop and maintain publications, websites, videos, and other training materials.

+ Write fact sheets, MSU Extension Ag and Urban Alerts in a timely manner, manuscripts, and grants as appropriate, contribute to SDL annual reporting and help maintain relevant program websites.

+ Report and/or respond to regulated, noxious, or invasive plant species and concerns as they arise and follow confidentiality guidelines as needed.

+ Maintain the SDL plant identification lab safety requirements and safety standard operating procedures required for lab accreditation.

+ Contribute to Extension field faculty training and other outreach activities hosted by the SDL , MSU Extension, and other agencies.

+ Conduct evaluations of extension and outreach activities.

Required Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ M.S. in weed science, plant sciences, botany, plant taxonomy, environmental sciences, or related fields.

+ Experience identifying plants with dichotomous and multi-entry keys.

+ Ability to translate technical information into easily understandable materials using a wide variety of communication methods.

+ Must be proficient in MS Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint and demonstrate the ability to learn new programs.

+ Strong organizational skills and evidence of excellent technical writing and editing skills, as well as strong oral communication skills

+ Ability to work with various stakeholders and audiences within and outside the department and MSU Extension.

Preferred Qualifications – Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

+ Ph.D. degree or significant relevant work experience in plant identification and taxonomy, weed science, or related field.

+ Experience in researching and formulating weed management recommendations.

+ Familiarity with integrated pest management.

+ Experience coordinating workshops or similar group activities.

+ Experience writing fact sheets or other outreach publications.

+ Strong desire to be a part of MSU Extension.

The Successful Candidate Will

+ Energetic and enthusiastic team member.

+ Strong knowledge in plant identification, taxonomy, and weed science.

+ Excellent written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills.

+ Ability to work independently and collaboratively with co-workers, on-campus and off-campus constituents, and multiple stakeholder groups.

+ Exceptional organizational skills.

+ Critical thinker capable of managing multiple projects simultaneously.

+ High degree of accuracy in project management.

Ultimately, the successful candidate will be relational, responsive, and reliable.

Position Special Requirements/Additional Information

+ This position requires seasonal travel to on- and off-campus sites, which may require evenings and weekends.

+ Must possess a valid Montana pesticide applicator license or obtain one within 3 months of hire.

Must possess a valid driver’s license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver’s license, must obtain a valid Montana driver’s license within 60 days of hire.)

This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

The Program

The Department

The College

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1

Desired Start Date

Position End Date (if temporary)

Open Date

Close Date

Applications will be:

Screening of applications will begin on January 31, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.

Special Instructions

This position is not eligible for sponsorship.

EEO Statement

Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.

In compliance with the Montana Veteran’s Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran’s preference, please complete the veteran’s preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.