Full Time Position Announcement

Plant Disease and Insect Diagnostician

The Bartlett Tree Expert Company has been in the business of providing exceptional tree care services to clients for over 100 years. We are the largest family-owned tree care company in the United States. We pride ourselves on offering scientific tree care and have exceptional resources at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory, located in Charlotte, NC.

The Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory provides technical support, training, and diagnostic support to the 120+ field offices and 1,500+ field staff that make up the Bartlett Tree Expert Company. The Bartlett Plant Diagnostic Laboratory evaluates approximately 8,000 samples per year collected on client properties by Bartlett arborists. The plant disease and insect diagnostician will be responsible for diagnosing plant diseases, insect pests, and abiotic problems, and providing support to all offices in the US and Canada. In addition, the diagnostician will assist in employee training, technical support, presenting at meetings, event planning and travel, and support of research projects.

Principle Responsibilities Include:

 Evaluate approximately 1,500-1,800 plant samples annually using visual observation, microscopy, culture isolation, ELISA testing, PCR, and other methods. Write diagnostic reports (seen by employees and clients) based on sample findings.

 Support the diagnostic lab’s digital library of diseases and arthropod pests by taking digital photographs of symptoms, signs, and pests found on samples and cataloging them in the digital image archive for easy retrieval.

 Maintain and transfer cultures routinely or as needed.

 Interact with Bartlett Arborist Representatives (phone/email) to answer questions about sample diagnosis, pest/disease problems, and management recommendations.

 Assist in Arborist Representative and Plant Health Care Specialist training at the Bartlett Tree Research Laboratory.

 Provide field support to representatives and present at company events as requested.

 Plan annual events attended by the diagnostic lab and travel to those events to manage event operations (assemble/disassemble displays and interact with attendees).

 Work with Marketing Department to support Bartlett’s social media efforts to disseminate timely pest and disease information to Bartlett clients.

 Participate in the evaluation of new diagnostic techniques and technologies.

 Lead/assist with development of technical resources on various plant pests.

 Assist in research projects related to diagnostics as needed.

Required Qualifications:

 Master’s degree in plant pathology, entomology (preferred), or a related discipline.

 Working knowledge of diagnostic techniques including microscopy, culture isolation, ELISA, and PCR.

 Experience with disease, insect, mite, and abiotic problem diagnosis.

 Ability to focus and concentrate while performing detailed tasks for extended periods of time, i.e. microscopy work and report writing.

 Ability to work effectively as a team member.

 Excellent oral and written communication skills.

 Excellent self-motivation skills.

 Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.

 Willingness to learn.

Preferred Qualifications:

 Knowledge of diseases and insect pests that affect ornamental trees and shrubs.

 Knowledge of digital photography and editing.

 Exposure to arboriculture.