Plant Pathologist and Director of the WSU Pullman Plant Diagnostic Clinic
Pullman, WA - USA
Job Summary
Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:
July 5 2026If a date is not listed above review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.
Available Title(s):
1162-NNADMINPRO - Manager 1162-YNADMINPRO - ManagerBusiness Title:
Plant Pathologist and Director of the WSU Pullman Plant Diagnostic ClinicEmployee Type:
Admin. ProfessionalPosition Details:
The Opportunity:
As the Plant Pathologist and Director of the Washington State University (WSU) Pullman Plant Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) you will focus on the assessment preparation and diagnosis of plant samples submitted to the clinic as well as providing appropriate management recommendations to clients. You will be based at the WSU Pullman campus within the PPDC and will serve clientele in central and eastern Washington complementing diagnostic services provided by the WSU Puyallup Plant Diagnostic Lab for western Washington.
In this role you will serve a wide range of stakeholders across Washington State and the broader Pacific Northwest including producers and industry professionals working with grain legume oilseed small fruit tree fruit vegetable seed and other crops as well as forestry forage pasture rangeland and ornamental horticulture sectors. You will collaborate with Extension faculty advisory boards and commodity associations to deliver educational programming and address plant diagnosis and management needs for farmers growers gardeners Master Gardeners consultants crop advisors Extension personnel researchers and federal and state partners including USDA APHIS and WSDA.
You will also contribute to service activities within the Department of Plant Pathology CAHNRS WSU and relevant professional societies and organizations such as the American Phytopathological Society the National Plant Diagnostic Network and the Western Plant Diagnostic Network. Additionally you will be responsible for implementing and managing a business plan for the clinic including financial oversight and fiscal planning to ensure long-term this leadership role you will supervise technical staff and student employees while modeling professional standards and fostering a collaborative work environment.
Additional Information:
This is a full-time (100% FTE) permanent position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement.
Monthly Salary: $6214.86 - $7676.08 Commensurate with experience and qualifications
In accordance with RCW 49.58.110 the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidates current experience education skills and abilities related to the position.
Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical dental life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.
Required Qualifications:
A Masters degree in plant pathology or emphasis in plant pathology and four (4) years of experience in plant diagnostics with working knowledge of diagnosing plant pathogens (fungi oomycetes bacteria viruses and nematodes) as well as other plant problems (arthropod pests and abiotic problems) and which has included at least one (1) year of supervisory experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.
Experience and demonstrated ability to work with plant diagnostic techniques including microscopy culturing microbes and molecular diagnostics.
Familiarity with a broad range of plant diseases across a diversity of crops.
Experience with diagnosis of abiotic plant problems.
Demonstrated laboratory management skills including database and fiscal management.
Demonstrated effective interpersonal verbal and written communication skills.
Experience developing and delivering educational programs.
Experience maintaining positive stakeholder relationships and successfully working collaboratively with other agencies and organizations.
Demonstrated ability to effectively use digital technologies including computer systems and mobile devices.
Ability to work effectively independently and as part of a team.
Must have or be able to obtain by time of hire a valid drivers license and meet requirements in accordance withSPPM7.10and departmental driving standards.
Able to obtain a Washington State drivers license within 6 months of hire.
Able to obtain aWSDAPesticide Applicators license within 3 months of hire to address the liability of making recommendations toPPDCstakeholders.
Demonstrated willingness and ability to work a flexible schedule including some evening and weekend commitments.
Preferred Qualifications:
PhD degree in plant pathology.
Plant disease clinic management experience.
Previous experience managing budgets fee structuring and developing a business plan.
Authored or co-authored peer-reviewed research and/or Extension publications.
Experience seeking participation from and working with diverse audiences.
Prior experience in an academic or government environment.
Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship
About Department/College/Area/ Campus - College of Agricultural Human and Natural Resource Sciences
Department Name: Plant Pathology
Location: Pullman WA.
Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.
1) Resume
2) Cover Letter
External candidates upload all documents in the Application Document section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates) before starting your Workday application please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates upload all documents in the Resume/Cover Letter section of your application.
Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF if possible.
Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.
Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34 engages in law enforcement requires security clearance interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity has access to personal identifying and/or financial information unsupervised access to university buildings/property or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.
Time Type:
Full timePosition Term:
12 MonthWashington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply including members of the military and veterans and persons with disabilities.
WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services programs activities education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process contact Human Resource Services: (v) Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-; TDD Callers: 1- (f) or .
Notice of Non-Discrimination
In matters of admission employment housing or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex race color national or ethnic origin physical disability mental disability sensory disability use of a trained service animal age religion creed genetic information marital status sexual orientation gender identity protected veteran status honorably discharged veteran member of the military or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law regulation or government contract.
Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX ADA/Section 504 and implementing regulations) as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment can be made verbally or in writing to WSUs Compliance and Civil Rights the Department of Educations Office of Civil Rights or both.
More information resources and contact information are available here: Experience:
Director
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