Outreach
Interact with stakeholder groups of the IR-4 Project including growers, commodity associations/grower groups, Cooperative Extension Agents & Specialists, Agricultural Experiment Station researchers, and others connected with pest management in specialty/minor uses. Also, interact with IR-4 State Liaison Representatives (SLRs).
Assist in the communication and outreach activities of the IR-4 Project; attend conferences, workshops, and symposia and serve as a spokesperson for the IR-4 Project.
Prepare grant applications to various grower organizations, and state and industry groups for additional funds to help support IR-4 activities in the region.
Keep stakeholders updated with important dates such as Regional Meetings/Workshops and deadlines leading up to the Food Use Workshop. Guide Project Clearance Request submission and coordinate the project nominations.
Recruit new stakeholders and involve them in regional/national meetings.
Answer questions and guide the field researcher network.
Provide informational handouts (national and regional).
Provide information and update materials for IR-4 Regional and National websites.
Will be required to make site visits, travel for training or other conferences.
Management responsibilities
Develop, manage, and coordinate field research programs, including field trials in pesticide residue, product performance, biopesticides, Integrated pest-control solution projects, and environmental horticulture projects. Assign field trials associated with IR-4 funded research to field research directors/cooperators. Distribute research protocols to assigned researchers, track research progress, and ensure quality data are submitted to IR-4 headquarters (HQ).
Maintain knowledge of current field sites, researchers, and available contract researchers and recruit new sites and personnel as needed to conduct IR-4 research in the region.
Work with HQ, the Regional Director, and the region’s grant coordinator to allocate funds to researchers.
Serve on ad hoc committees and standing committees on behalf of the Regional Director and/or Executive Director. Assist in the development and/or implementation of policies/strategies for relevant aspects of IR-4 Project operations.
Regulatory Compliance (Good Laboratory Practice, GLP)
Ensure the Field Research Director and their staff have sufficient training, resources, and experience to conduct Federal GLP residue field trials as outlined in the protocols.
Conduct site visits and maintain frequent communication with IR-4 sites performing pesticide residue field trials following GLP regulations. Inform the Executive Director if there is a concern about the ability to successfully perform field research.
Develop and coordinate training for research personnel in GLP regulations in collaboration with other regions and HQ.
Review, and if appropriate, approve the Standard Operating Procedures for IR-4 Field Research Centers/research sites performing pesticide residue field trials.
Manage and conduct Quality Control reviews of data and coordinate with the Quality Assurance Unit in the collection and reporting of quality data and robust compliance systems.
Attend and participate in IR-4 National meetings and workshops, organize, and facilitate regional events (priority meetings, training workshops, etc.)
Recognize individuals in the regions who excel in the performance of their duties via IR-4-issued awards or other methods of acknowledgment.