Plant Pathologist and Director of the WSU Pullman Plant Diagnostic Clinic

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 sustainability. In 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: $6,214.86 - $7,676.08 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

Required Qualifications

• A Master's 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 driver's license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM 7.10 and departmental driving standards.
• Able to obtain a Washington State driver's license within 6 months of hire.
• Able to obtain a WSDA Pesticide Applicator's license within 3 months of hire to address the liability of making recommendations to PPDC stakeholders.
• 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.