CAPS & Outreach Coordinator, Department of Entomology & Plant Pathology: UTIA

The CAPS and Outreach Coordinator is a versatile role consisting of serving as the CAPS Director, State Survey Coordinator, and Outreach Coordinator for the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. The successful candidate will manage and oversee the USDA Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) program for the state of Tennessee, which is led by the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology; serve as the State Survey Coordinator to coordinate and collaborate with stakeholders to conduct research-based pest surveillance across the state of Tennessee; develop novel and innovative outreach tools and deliver educational and outreach activities for youth and adults across Tennessee. The incumbent will interview, hire, and supervise part-time or temporary employees for field support and will be responsible for preparing and submitting budgets, annual reports, and position-related grant proposals. This candidate will be under the general direction of the Head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology. This is a grant-funded position and is contingent upon the continued funding of the grant.

CAPS Director:

• Manages, oversees, and conducts pest detection projects determined in consultation with the Tennessee State Plant Health Director (SPHD) (USDA APHIS) and the Tennessee State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO) (Tennessee Department of Agriculture)

State Survey Coordinator:

• Develops the Annual Statewide CAPS Survey Plan and associated budget; oversees purchases and assistants
• Collaborates with personnel at state/federal agencies and universities to monitor exotic plant pests
• Conducts additional surveys and serve as consultant on other exotic pest surveys in Tennessee; monitors and reports exotic plant pests
• Assists in development of survey scopes, estimate costs, develop budgets, and monitor project delivery, ensuring compliance with regulations and legislation

Key Responsibilities:

• Coordinating with various stakeholders, managing databases, and contributing to the development of survey plans
• Leading all aspects of the CAPS program, from planning and scope development of surveys to submission of CAPS workplans and survey proposals to execution and monitoring to developing reports and entering all state data into the government-approved database

Other Duties:

• Serves as the primary contact for the CAPS program within the state
• Attends the annual CAPS meeting as part of the Southern Plant Board Annual Meeting
• Chairs and coordinates the CAPS State Survey Committee that reflects stakeholder input and provides guidance and assistance to the program and plans
• Chairs the Annual CAPS Planning Meeting
• Prepares draft work and financial plans in accordance with the National CAPS Guidelines and with input of the State Plant Health Director (SPHD), State Plant Regulatory Official (SPRO), and Pest Survey Specialist (PSS)
• Works with PSS and CAPS cooperators to identify personnel, their coordination, necessary supplies, training, database requirements, reporting requirements, and time commitment necessary to implement the plan
• Develops grant proposals, finalizes proposed work and financial plans, and submits to SPRO and appropriate state agencies
• Maintains communications with diagnostic laboratories and taxonomists supporting CAPS surveys and coordinates with the PSS and PPQ (Plant Protection Quarantine) National Operations Manager
• Prepares and archives collected samples, as needed; maintains voucher specimens
• Prepares written and oral reports on collected data for USDA and other various agencies
• Coordinates with state and federal agencies to ensure survey data for various projects from across the state are properly entered into specific databases in accordance with national guidelines, archived, and shared with stakeholders
• Oversees and manages personnel who are setting traps and collecting material from traps on a regular basis
• Meets regularly with the SPHD, SPRO, and PSS to draft new survey plans and amendments as needed
• Collaborates with the PSS to finalize tracking and monitoring protocols charting progress of individual surveys and sharing problems with SPHD, SPRO, and PSS to enhance problem resolution
• Follows USDA-approved methods for pest surveillance in all CAPS and PPA 7721 goal 1 surveys
• Identifies insect species, as needed
• Trains personnel involved in sampling
• Reports new state records to appropriate federal personnel and enters information into national database
• Manages and updates the CAPS website

Outreach Coordinator:

• Primary Duties:
  • Develops and delivers a statewide entomology outreach program involving youth and adults for promoting public understanding and awareness of insects, entomology research, and the importance of insects to the environment
  • Serves as point of contact for statewide outreach events and activities for a diverse group of audiences across the state (k-12 schools, 4-H, clubs, regional or state events, and field days, among others)
• Other Duties:
  • Creates and delivers novel and innovative educational materials and outreach programs
  • Organizes public events and builds relationships with community partners to share information about insects
  • Coordinates and manages events in conjunction with stakeholders from various backgrounds
  • Communicates program outreach activities with the departmental communications specialist
  • Organizes and manages outreach events, where the public is actively engaged through workshops, K-12 school events, community events, field trips, public presentations, and field days to engage learners of all ages about entomology specifically, and science in general
  • Develops and distributes educational materials such as brochures, flyers, and newsletters
  • Establishes and maintains relationships with community partners, stakeholders, and potential volunteers
  • Utilizes social media platforms to promote outreach efforts and engage with the public
  • Tracks and evaluates the effectiveness of outreach campaigns and prepare reports on outreach activities
  • Responds to inquiries from the public regarding insects and related topics; coordinates, trains, and delegates student activities as related to departmental functions and events
  • Maintains live arthropod collections for outreach events
  • Recruits and trains undergraduate and graduate students, and other volunteers, to assist with outreach activities
  • Holds a departmental Procurement card and adheres to purchasing policy
  • Holds a departmental Travel card and adheres to travel policy
  • Works collaboratively with College and University departments and units, and State and National agency administrators
  • Represents the department in front of state and federal personnel and industry clientele

Required Qualifications:

• Education:
  • M.S. degree in entomology or related field
• Experience:
  • Three years of related experience.
  • Relevant professional experience (e.g., serving as a state CAPS coordinator or analogous role with relevant state or federal agency, coordinating and managing entomology outreach events for various audiences, conducting and managing CAPS or other large-scale surveys for pest insects involving additional institutional or government partners) may be substituted on a year for year basis. This is not an entry level position.
  • Formal education background in entomology and understanding of insect biology, ecology, and related topics.
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information to the public, stakeholders, and federal and state agencies.
  • Ability to manage effectively CAPS survey data, prepare routine reports and grant proposals, collect and enter survey data from partners across the state, and evaluate CAPS and outreach efforts.
  • Demonstrated leadership, interpersonal and communication skills.
  • Ability to build and maintain relationships effectively with a wide range of constituents in a diverse community.
  • Demonstrated ability to collaborate and cooperate with state and federal agencies.
  • Demonstrated teaching skills, experience, and abilities in the classroom.
  • Intermediate computer technical skills and experience with reporting and writing using various computer software programs such as Microsoft Professional Suite and Adobe, and other analogous reporting software.
  • Competency in using social media platforms and other relevant software.
  • Knowledge of appropriate insect sampling and trapping methodologies and demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to make decisions regarding appropriate sampling methods needed.
  • Ability to create engaging and informative educational materials.
  • Ability to extract, verify, edit, and assemble data from various sources to compile periodic reports by ensuring the programs meet record keeping requirements based on federal and university standards.
  • Ability to securely maintain and properly manage documentation (both physical and electronic) for the program following data management best practices.
  • Self-motivated and ability to initiate self-driven projects to improve program and departmental processes.
  • Ability and willingness to work on-site and off-site at various locations and field sites
  • Ability to drive vehicles into remote areas.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop grant proposals, CAPS workplans, and budgets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Education:
  • Ph.D. degree in entomology or related field
• Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
  • Working knowledge and advanced skills in Adobe and Microsoft professional suite, and specifically Word, Adobe, Excel, pivot tables and charts, Teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to use insect keys and identify insects to families and in some cases genera and species.
  • Knowledge of CAPS and prior experience with NAPIS database.
  • Knowledge and experience on development of CAPS Workplans.
  • Knowledge of PPA 7721 funding opportunities and submissions.

Work Location:

• Location: Knoxville, TN
• Onsite. Frequent weekends and evenings. Occasional overnight travel.

Compensation and Benefits:

• UT market range: MR09
• Anticipated hiring range: 65,000-70,000
• Find more information on the UT Market Range structure here
• Find more information on UT Benefits here

Application Instructions:

To express interest, please submit an application with the noted below attachments. To be assured of full consideration, completed applications with all requested materials should be submitted on or before 9/20/2025.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• List of 3 Professional References

About The College/Department/Division:

The Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology (EPP) provides leadership in the generation and dissemination of knowledge on insects, related arthropods, and plant and animal diseases that affect the quality of life of all Tennesseans. Our department is the only academic unit in Tennessee with the mission and responsibility to provide basic and applied information on questions of plant diseases and insect related problems affecting plants, animals, and humans.

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has shaped leaders, changemakers, and innovative thinkers since its founding in 1794. The university is home to more than 38,000 students and 10,000 statewide employees—the Volunteers—who uphold the university’s tradition of lighting the way for others through leadership and service.

UT Knoxville offers over 900 programs of study across 14 degree-granting colleges and schools. As Tennessee’s flagship land-grant university, its footprint spans the entire state. The university holds the highest Carnegie classification for research activity and has deep partnerships with industry leaders and the US Department of Energy’s largest multidisciplinary laboratory, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

The Knoxville campus serves and recruits for UT Knoxville, including the Institute of Agriculture and the Space Institute, as well as the UT Institute of Public Service.

UT Knoxville considers its employees its number one asset. With values that focus on work-life balance, compensation, and innovation leadership, all Vols are supported to advance professionally. Employees have access to career development and coaching, continued education, and an extensive list of development and training possibilities. The Volunteer employee experience implements structures and practices that attract and retain a diverse community and that support a culture where everyone matters and belongs.

The university holds a strong commitment to its land-grant mission of learning and engagement, with a tradition of service and leadership that carries that Volunteer spirit throughout the state and around the world. It has been ranked nationally as “Best Employer for New Graduates,” “One of America’s Best Large Employers,” and “Best Workplace for Women,” and has been designated as “Best Place for Working Parents” by Forbes Magazine.

Apply today and join the Tennessee Volunteer community!