Apiary Manager

Washington State University; Wisconsin; On-site; USD 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid sick leave

Paid vacation leave

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Retirement plan

Tuition waiver

Job summary

Washington State University seeks an Apiary Manager to lead day-to-day operations at the Othello Research Apiary. You will supervise staff, manage 150–400 hives, coordinate field activities, and support bee research and pollination services. The role involves travel across WA and some CA, and requires outdoor work in varying conditions.

You will oversee beekeeping duties, assist with budgeting, and interact with faculty, students, and partners to achieve program goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field with 4 years of related supervisory experience.
• Experience managing 150+ beehives.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to organize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Valid driver’s license and driving standards compliance.
• WA State pesticide applicator license or ability to obtain within 90 days.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word/Excel, email, and Zoom.
• Able to lift 50 lbs and handle bees safely.
• Ability to maintain equipment without instruction.

Responsibilities

• Direct daily apiary operations and supervise facility staff.
• Oversee 150–400 honey bee colonies to support research and pollination.
• Coordinate travel to apiary sites across Washington and occasional California.
• Assist with budget planning and resource allocation.
• Communicate with stakeholders, landowners, students and faculty.
• Operate beekeeping equipment and harvest/extract honey.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Strong communication

Project management

Valid driver’s license

Beekeeping experience

Outdoor/physical work

Basic computer skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Zoom

Job description

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

August 16, 2026

Available Title(s):

1162-NN_ADMINPRO - Manager, 1162-YN_ADMINPRO - Manager

Business Title:

Apiary Manager

Employee Type:

Admin. Professional (+) (Fixed Term)

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

As the Apiary Manager , you will work under the guidance of program leadership to lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the Othello Research Apiary. In this role, you will collaborate closely with research faculty and oversee the daily and seasonal activities required to maintain between 150 and 400 honey bee colonies. You will be responsible for maintaining hives that support research experiments, honey production, and pollination services while contributing to the overall mission of the program.

You will maintain a large number of honey bee colonies and manage all beekeeping operations at the Othello Honey Bee and Pollinator Research Facility in Othello, Washington. Your responsibilities will include directing and coordinating daily apiary operations, managing bee colonies, assembling woodenware, operating forklifts, harvesting and extracting honey, and performing other duties necessary to support program operations. This position requires travel to apiary sites throughout Washington, with occasional extended stays in California. Work schedules will vary based on seasonal demands and may include early mornings, late evenings, and weekends. Much of your work will take place outdoors in potentially challenging conditions, including hot temperatures, wind exposure, insect bites and stings, and uneven terrain.

In this position, you will balance the colony management needs required to support research objectives while maintaining a functional pollination program of approximately 400 honey bee colonies. You will directly supervise facility staff and oversee employees and visitors participating in apiary operations. You will provide leadership and guidance for beekeeping activities, manage operational services, assist with budget planning and resource allocation, and work alongside employees in the field to perform beekeeping duties. Strong communication and interpersonal skills will be essential as you interact with stakeholders, landowners, students, faculty, and program partners.

Additional Information:

This is a full time ( 100% FTE), temporary position. Overtime eligibility will be determined based on final salary placement.

This is a temporary position expected to end one year after date of hire . Renewal is dependent on the need for extension and/or if additional funding is secured to extend.

Monthly Salary:

$4,508.70 - $6,763 | Commensurate with experience and qualifications

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits:

WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for AP staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in a field related to the functional managerial area which has included at least one (1) year of supervisory experience. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

• Experience managing large number of bee hives (at least 150 hives).

• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing and to effectively interact with people in a positive manner.

• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

• Must have, or be able to obtain by time of hire, a valid driver’s license and meet requirements in accordance with SPPM7.10 and departmental driving standards.

• WA State pesticide applicators license or ability to obtain within 90 days of hire.

• Basic computer skills required, including proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel), internet searching, email communications, and Zoom virtual meetings.

• Ability to lift and carry 50 lbs short distances without assistive tools.

• Fine motor manipulation for safe handling of honey bees, including delicate pinching and using forceps.

• Ability to maintain equipment without instruction.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience operating forklifts or other industrial equipment.

• Experience operating a larger vehicle with cargo and/or trailer.

• Ability to operate vehicles using automatic and manual transmission, four-wheel drive.

• Demonstrated experience in a team leadership position.

• Additional beekeeping specialty experience including, but not limited to: honey bee research, queen rearing, pollen trapping, monitoring, pest management.

Position Sponsorship Eligibility:

Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus

https://entomology.wsu.edu/

Area/College:

College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences(CAHNRS)

Department Name:

Entomology

Location:

Othello, WA

Background Check:

This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or [e-mail].

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/