Apiary Inspector 1 - Western NY

Apiary Inspector 1

Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and you'll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking one Apiary Inspector 1 to work in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, or Wyoming County. Apiary Inspectors travel throughout assigned regions to monitor honeybee colony health, ensuring the vitality of managed pollinators across New York State. The regional assignments for these positions will be based on the location and counties within which the selected candidates live, as these positions are field-based, with regional assignments tailored to the candidate's location. Extensive travel within the assigned area is required. These are great opportunities for self-driven candidates who want autonomy over their schedule, the ability to work from home, and enjoy working outside the office setting! These positions are temporary and seasonal, working 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday. They work within a defined season beginning around April 1st through November 30th and are dependent on operational needs.

Apiary Inspectors ensure that colony management procedures follow State laws and regulations; recommend appropriate measures for the prevention, treatment, and control of honeybee diseases, and the management of colonies; and ensure that migratory honeybee colony transports are consistent with regulations of other states. Apiary Inspector 1 duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Identifying the visible symptoms of various brood diseases and disease symptoms in adult bees.
• Sending samples to the Beltsville Bee Lab for confirmation of pest and disease issues.
• Communicating the goals of the inspection program and methods of management to beekeepers to prevent or eliminate bee diseases.
• Issuing quarantine orders to prevent movement of exotic pests or diseased colonies.
• Investigating beekeeper complaints as directed by the Albany office.
• Traveling extensively as needed for training, complaints, and other duties.
• Recording, preparing, and submitting various pay and travel expense forms, daily reports, and apiary inspection records.
• Utilizing GPS programs or maps in locating apiaries.
• Using technology equipment provided including cellphone, tablet (iPad), laptop, and printer.
• Working independently to plan and organize work based on priority, risk, and location.
• Working within policies and procedures set by the Division of Plant Industry and the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets.
• Enforcing New York Laws relating to bee diseases, bee sales and interstate transportation of bees.

The duties of these positions require walking and standing outside in all weather conditions. Overnight travel may be required.

Benefits: These are PEF-represented positions that offer excellent benefits! Benefits include but are not limited to inexpensive Health Insurance options, free Dental and Vision coverage, and the opportunity for NYS Pension Plan membership.

Salary and Minimum Qualifications: Apiary Inspector Trainee 1 ($23.00/Hour): Two years of experience in the management of honeybee colonies or 60 college credits with at least 9 college credits in entomology, ecology, biology, agriculture, environmental studies, natural resources, or zoology. Apiary Inspector Trainee 2 ($24.36/Hour): Three years of experience* in the management of honeybee colonies; or successful completion of one season (minimum of 60 working days) as an Apiary Inspector Trainee 1. *Substitution: Possession of 60 college credits with at least 9 college credits in entomology, ecology, biology, agriculture, environmental studies, natural resources, or zoology may substitute for 2 years of experience. Apiary Inspector 1 ($25.74/Hour): Four years of experience* in the management of honeybee colonies; or successful completion of one season as an Apiary Inspector Trainee 1 and one season as an Apiary Inspector Trainee 2. Must have worked a minimum of 60 working days/season. *Substitution: Possession of 60 college credits with at least 9 college credits in entomology, ecology, biology, agriculture, environmental studies, natural resources, or zoology may substitute for 2 years of experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of bee behavior; a familiarity with bees, colony, and apiary management practices.
• Knowledge of and working experience with beekeeping equipment.
• The ability to open colonies of bees and to remove combs for visual examination. This would include the ability to remove and replace combs, queen excluders and other bee equipment properly without killing the queen and some bees.
• Basic knowledge of both larva and adult bee diseases, their life history, and symptoms.
• Willingness to accept instruction, direction, and training by supervisors and/or experienced inspectors.
• Basic knowledge and familiarity with Department issued technology, such as an iPhone, iPad, and computers.
• Be available to relocate to other areas within New York State for limited periods of time during emergency situations.
• Be physically able to bend, reach, and lift 60-80 pounds many times during the workday.

Travel Requirements: These positions require extensive travel. Appointees must either possess at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State and have access to a motor vehicle when necessary or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the regular transportation requirements in carrying out their field work responsibilities.

How to Apply: Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to one of these opportunities must use this link to apply by: May 30, 2026. Within this online application please indicate the region location you are interested in and upload your resume, college transcript (if applicable), and cover letter. If you have any questions, please contact Laura DeBraccio in Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io. The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities.