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​​PAA Job Board​

Find your next job opportunity with the PAA Job Board! We all play a vital role in the success of the potato industry. Find your next job or perfect candidate in a place that specializes in everything potato.

Open Positions

Open positions are listed starting with most recently posted.

Director of Research and Industry Outreach

Washington State Potato Commission | Moses Lake, Washington

Application Deadline: July 18, 2025

Apply via email by sending your resume and cover letter​

• Position Details

  Position Details

  Position Summary

  The Washington State Potato Commission is hiring a Director of Research and Industry Outreach. This position is in Moses Lake, WA. The Washington State Potato Commission is a dynamic potato organization and has made research its highest priority. The Commission is also involved in representing the potato industry in Washington DC and our State Capitol in Olympia, is the Executive Producer of the 4-time Emmy Award winning TV program Washington Grown and focuses on investing in projects that will ensure the future success of our potato communities.

  Director of Research and Industry Outreach will be responsible for identifying potato industry research needs and coordinate with researchers to fill those knowledge gaps. This position will also be responsible for Outreach activities focused on research results, food and farm safety, industry trainings, and other efforts that will further the sustainability of the Washington State Potato Industry.

  Join us in Grant County, Washington—where opportunity meets lifestyle! Grant County boasts more than 300 days of sunshine each year, giving you ample time to enjoy everything the region has to offer. If you're passionate about the outdoors, this is the place for you. From hunting and fishing to biking, hiking, ORV, and water activities, there's always an adventure waiting just outside your door. The nearby Potholes Reservoir and surrounding recreation areas offer the perfect weekend escape—just a few miles from town. Come be a part of something meaningful in the potato industry while living where others vacation!

  The annual salary range for this position is $80,000-$100,000 depending on education and experience. The Washington State Potato Commission offers a comprehensive benefits package. Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in medical, dental and vision coverage. Basic life insurance coverage, AD& D, dependent life, additional life insurance, and long-term disability are also available. Relocation assistance is available. Employees may be eligible for our Sabbatical Leave Program after 7 years of employment. Retirement is through the State of Washington’s Public Employees Retirement System. Optional deferred compensation and FSA accounts are available. Employees receive 12 paid holidays annually and accrue 8 hours of sick leave a month. Vacation accrual begins at 13.8 days annually and increases to 24 days annually with 20 years of service.

  
  

  Position Responsibilities

  Research Coordination

  • Coordinate the submission of all research proposals received by the Washington State Potato Commission (WSPC) by communicating directly with researchers and administrators about the expectations of the WSPC, providing formats, deadlines, and less formal advice.
  • Coordinate and facilitate review of research proposals received by the WSPC, including (but not limited to) activities such as compiling research proposal books, organizing research review meetings and presentations, coordinating the Research Council and Research Committee, advising researchers of decisions made by the WSPC, etc.
  • Serve on the NW Potato Research Consortium and coordinate WA industry reviews of proposed NWRC projects.
  • Notify Washington State University College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resources grant administrators of pending research grants provided by the WSPC.
  • Generate research agreements with the United States Department of Agricultural, Agricultural Research Service, and with private industry researchers meeting all State contracting requirements.
  • Monitor various potato research projects funded by the WSPC and communicate with various researchers receiving funding to help ensure that WSPC research objectives and timelines are met.
  • Serve as the research intermediary between the WSPC and various potato research related government agencies, universities, and private research firms such as: USDA Agricultural Research Service (USDA-ARS), Washington State University (WSU), Oregon State University (OSU), University of Idaho, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS), etc.;
  • Monitor regional and national potato-related research and scientific publications for relevancy to Washington State potato research.
  • Regularly meet with potato researchers to foster relationships.
  • Maintain strong relationships with WSU CAHNRS Dean, Associate Dean of Research, Associate Dean of Extension, Associate Dean of Academic Programs, and Research Center Directors.
  • Assist researchers in finding and securing new sources of funding for potato research.

  
  

  Outreach Activities

  • Disseminate relevant research-related information to Washington State potato growers, shippers, and processors.
  • Develop and implement an annual outreach plan on how to disseminate key information to growers and industry members regarding potato production, potato research, farm safety, food safety, and new technologies.
  • Write articles for Spud Topics and other publications.
  • Assist the Director of Governmental Affairs in coordinating legislative and regulatory tours.
  • Assist where appropriate with grower relations activities.
  • Gather information about Washington State potato industry research needs.
  • Serve on the Potato Conference & Trade Show Committee, manage the Ag Innovation session and assist with the coordination of the General Session, including applying for WA pesticide applicator’s recertification credits, circulating sign-up sheets, and collecting the sheets and sending them to the Washington Department of Agriculture
  • Attend various in-state potato grower meetings, industry meetings, and field days.
  • Attend various out-of-state potato grower, industry, and research meetings (Potato Expo, PAA, etc.) as appropriate.
  • Monitor and enhance farm workers’ safety.
  • Assist with the seed lot trials and the coordination of various potato field days.
  • Update Good Agricultural Practices notebooks and food safety training as needed.
  • Plan and coordinate biennial Potato Academy

  
  

  Administrative Duties

  • Work with the WSPC Research Chair and the Executive Director in compiling the WSPC research budget each year.
  • Schedule and coordinate WSPC research meetings, including (but not limited to): Research/Outreach Committee, Research Council.
  • Coordinate and attend Research and Industry Outreach Committee meetings
  • Attend all WSPC Quarterly meetings and assist with the coordination of the meetings.
  • Write an annual report on activities as part of the WSPC Annual Report.

  
  

  Organizational Representation

  • Serve as Board member and officer of Potato Variety Management Institute, Inc.
  • Serve as the WSPC representative on the National Frozen Processing Trials
  • Serve as team leader of the WSPC variety development team and ensure WSPC representatives attend the PNW new variety trials in Hermiston, Klamath Falls, and Aberdeen.
  • Serve as the potato representative on the Washington Commission on Integrated Pest Management.
  • Serve as the WSPC research representative on the Potato Association of America.

  
  

  Provide Technical Assistance

  • Provide technical advice and assistance to the Director of Governmental Affairs on pesticide, fertilizer & nitrate issues relating to potatoes.
  • Respond to EPA request for comments on pesticide registrations, pesticide registration reviews, or changes to pesticide label uses.
  • Monitor Federal & State potato research appropriations related to potatoes and work with the Director of Governmental Affairs on an appropriate course of action in securing, maintaining, and/or protecting potato research funding.
  • Coordinate Section 18 (emergency exemption) and Section 24(c) (special local needs) applications to the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) for various potato crop protection chemicals.

  
  
  

  Position Qualifications

  Required Qualifications​

  • Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field and 10 years of agronomic experience or an advanced degree in agriculture or related field
  • Previous experience in irrigated agriculture
  • Must have a valid driver's license for use of WSPC vehicle

  
  

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Excellent communication and presentation skills
  • Demonstrated understanding of agriculture research
  • Demonstrated understanding of pesticide uses and safety
  • Strong leadership skills
  • Organized self-starter able to search out ways to improve the potato industry

  
  

  Other Details

  Position Type: Full Time
  Salary Range: $80,000-$100,000

  
  

  Application Instructions

  If you are qualified for this position and have an interest in joining our dynamic team, please send a cover letter and resume via email to:

  Chris Voigt, Executive Director
  Washington State Potato Commission
  cvoigt@potatoes.com

  Application materials are due July 18, 2025

  
  

Yanqing District Participatory Breeding and Community Development Project

Beijing, China Research Center
Brethren Volunteer Service

• Position Details

  Position Details

  Position Summary

  Brethren Volunteer Service has an all-expense-paid (room/board at the center +$250/mo stipend) position seeking an individual/couple to work on Community-based participatory breeding activities from a research facilities located in the District of Yanqing, Beijing, China. This position is new, so there is no existing model for accomplishing this work. We seek an individual that can work across cultures, and languages, uniting farmers in a common purpose. The individual must respect Chinese and international cultures and have a natural humility while working with farmers in Yanqing District, and scientists and students at the research facilities. This position will be unique in its role, responsibilities, and undertaking, as it will require initiating a mechanism to work with farmers, scientists and students to develop a new and as-yet-untried method of working in the community. The individual is expected to bring novel ideas and have a gritty work ethic to deliver fruition. There is opportunity to do additional off-season work in the fully equipped trait/biotech lab with international staff.

  
  

  Project Details

  Duration: One Year, with the potential for extension
  Location: Beijing (Yanqing District)
  Job Type: Volunteer, all-expense-paid (room/board +$250/mo stipend)

  
  

  Required Expertise

  • MS or Ph.D. (or extensive experience) in breeding, biology, agriculture, or related fields
  • Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact with a wide range of individuals, including non-professionals, farmers, students, scientists, academics, and government officials from within China and internationally.
  • Strong team-building skills
  • Humble fearless leader
  • Innovator

  
  

  Preferred Skills

  Some may be learned on the job.

  • understanding of potato breeding and genetics, and ability to quickly assess and interpret information to develop goals.
  • Knowledge of breeding traits necessary for quality, and how to achieve them.
  • Knowledge of biotic and abiotic plant stresses

  
  

  Project Objectives

  • With the support of staff, establish a community-based Participatory Potato Breeding Program with farmers in Yanqing District
  • Utilize germplasm from the Breeding Resources Center and breeding projects with input from farmers and scientists to establish a suitable breeding project/s ensuring that all stakeholders’ opinions are included.
  • Establish and manage a breeders’ network for sharing information
  • Invite farmers (and others as required) for round table discussions on goals and achievements
  • Develop workshops for capacity training: breeding, agronomy, business management and financial management are potential ideas.
  • Develop objectives by personal interest, or as deemed necessary for the advancement of projects.

  
  Apply Now
  
  

  Questions? email drarroz903@gmail.com

  
  

Questions?

Contact us at paajobs@scisoc.org