Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above.
This is an anticipated vacancy on November 2nd, 2026.
The mission of the Plant Industry Division is to protect the state’s agriculture and natural environment from introduced plant pests, including insects, diseases, and noxious weeds and to protect our state’s endangered and threatened plants and to ensure seed and fertilizer and other soil additives offered for sale in North Carolina meet prescribed standards and are truthfully labeled.
The Plant Pest Specialist is responsible for implementing pest risk mitigation strategies including plant pest quarantines, point of origin inspections, pest-free areas, certification and permitting, and administration of compliance agreements within an assigned work area. The position conducts nursery inspections, nursery dealer inspections, aquatic dealer inspections, along with the implementation of all plant certification programs including the management of export certification requirements and issuance of Federal Phytosanitary Certificates. The position is responsible for the implementation of all insect, disease and weed programs, including trapping, monitoring and eradication/control responsibilities. This position, in compliance with outlined regulations, issues certificates or permits as necessary for the movement of regulated articles. This position serves as a technical consultant and liaison between producers, agribusiness, extension, and the general public in order to solve plant pest regulatory problems. Region 3 Plant Pest Specialist oversees all plant regulatory programs in the following counties: Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, Vance, Warren.
Applicant must obtain their pesticide applicators license within one year of hire.
Applicant must become a United States Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service – Plant Protection and Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) Authorized Certifying Official (ACO) within prescribed USDA allocated timeline.
Applicant must become a NCNLA Certified Plant Professional within 18 months of hire.
Position is a home based/field work position.
Selected candidate must reside in, or be willing to move to Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Nash, Northampton, Vance, or Warren or any adjoining county.