West Virginia - Wild and Wonderful

About West Virginia

West Virginia is noted for its mountains and diverse topography, its historically significant logging and coal mining industries, and its political and labor history. It is one of the most densely karstic areas in the world, making it a choice area for recreational caving and scientific research.

Business

West Virginia is full of opportunity for any business with a growing economy and a highly dedicated workforce. Whether you are running an existing business or thinking of starting a new business you can find all of the information you need throughout this business section.

Education

West Virginia is fortunate to have a tremendous education system with a high standard of excellence. Please use the information provided here to learn more about the wealth of educational opportunities in our great state.

Employment

West Virginia is home to one of the finest workforces in the country based on our hard work and commitment to quality. Whether you are looking for new job opportunities, enhancing your job skills or researching future employment trends you can find all of the information you need throughout this employment section.

Family

West Virginia offers the perfect balance of a rural and urban setting that suits a variety of lifestyles. This is a state where you can go whitewater rafting in the morning, go to an art exhibit in the afternoon and attend a concert in the evening. Whether you just moved to the Mountain State or your family has been here since it was founded, you are part of our community.

Health

Maintaining proper health is vital to ensuring the highest quality of life possible. West Virginia strives to provide one of the best health care systems in the country that is affordable and available to all residents of the state. This section contains numerous resources to assist you in accessing the health care services provided in the state.

Tourism

Exhilarate in the lasting beauty and natural wonder scattered throughout West Virginia. From unmatched outdoor recreation to world-class resorts, breathtaking scenery and a variety of cultural and historic attractions, West Virginia is an ideal spot to plan your next adventure. Discover for yourself what makes West Virginia wild and wonderful.

 Seasonal Jobs Announced at State Department of Agriculture 

2/8/2011 

The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) is seeking a number of individuals for seasonal job openings throughout the state this summer.

Some positions are associated with the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program’s pest survey season (first week of May-August 31, 2011). Workers will conduct surveys for insects and invasive weeds and prepare samples for use analysis and cataloging.

Applicants for these positions should be able to read county highway, farm and topographical maps, and be able to interact with private landowners and the general public in a professional manner.

College students with backgrounds in agriculture, entomology, biology, zoology, plant sciences, botany, plant pathology, weed science or equivalent experience are preferred. These positions will require overnight travel and use of a personal vehicle with travel expenses reimbursed.

Workers may be headquartered at the Gus R. Douglass Agricultural Center outside of Charleston or in the north central region and southern regions of the state.

Other positions associated with the Cooperative Forest Health Protection (CFHP) Program will be headquartered at the Guthrie Center, but require travel throughout the state. These individuals will conduct insect and disease survey work along with associated laboratory work.

There will be 16 seasonal employees needed to work throughout the state in the Gypsy Moth trapping program.

For the gypsy moth trapping and forest survey work, the WVDA prefers college students with studies in entomology, plant pathology, forestry or other biological science, or equivalent experience, who can be trained to read topographic maps, a compass and GPS units.

Pay ranges from $11-$13.60 per hour, depending on previous employment with WVDA seasonal programs or equivalent experience. Employees are required to use their own vehicles in some instances, but will be reimbursed for mileage.

For more information and/or applications, contact Kelly Riffe, WVDA Plant Industries Division, 1900 Kanawha Blvd., E., Charleston, WV 25305-0191; 304-558-2212 or e-mail kriffe@ag.state.wv.us. Application deadline is Friday, March 4 by 4 p.m. WVDA is an equal opportunity employer.

Contact Information

Kelly Riffe 
304-558-2212 
kriffe@ag.state.wv.us