AGRICULTURAL WEIGHTS & MEASURES INSPECTOR I

THE JOB: Under general supervision, perform inspections to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations in either agriculture or weights and measures; to conduct enforcement activities; evaluate permits and certificate requests; perform related investigations and public service functions; and perform related tasks as required. Positions in this class may perform both agriculture inspection and weights and measures activities. The current vacancy is in the pesticide use enforcement division.

THE REQUIREMENTS: Any combination of education and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Graduation from college with major course work in agricultural, biological science, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or other job related majors such as law enforcement, commerce, and marketing or other discipline approved by the State Department of Food and Agriculture and completion of two valid licenses of eligibility in agriculture inspection and/or weights and measures inspection as designated by the Agricultural Commissioner within one year of employment.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS: License Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License; some positions in Weights and Measures may require a valid California Class B Driver License. Special Working Conditions: Exposure to variable temperatures; slippery surfaces; loud noises; sunburn; dust and pollen; bee stings; angry or hostile persons. Possible exposure to communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis; pesticides including warning agents or by products. Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring California Class B Driver License, and to employees in positions requiring these licenses as mandated by the Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide standard employment history for up to the past ten years for jobs which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle. Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays on an as needed basis.

Knowledge: Some knowledge of biological, agricultural and physical sciences related to the tasks of the Department.

Ability to: Interpret, explain and enforce applicable laws, regulations and procedures; inspect and test commercial weighing and measuring devices; recognize plant pests and diseases; investigate incidents or cases, such as pesticide illness or consumer complaints; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; deal effectively with irate individuals; work independently in the field; adapt to new work situations; keep records and prepare reports; drive a car or truck with a manual transmission; work outdoors in steep, bushy terrain, furrowed crop fields or orchards; discriminate color differences, such as to identify moths, insects and plants; lift up to 60 pounds from floor level, such as boxes full of lettuce; use a microscope; effectively present material in oral and written form; train and serve as lead worker to less experienced staff; and climb, such as a stepladder to put a box of apples on a shelf.

EMPLOYEE BENEFITS:
ANNUAL LEAVE – 22 days first year, increasing to 37 days after 15 years. Available after six months for vacation and/or sick leave.
HOLIDAYS – 12.5 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE – 3 days paid in California, 5 days paid out-of-state.
MEDICAL PLAN – The County contracts with CalPERS for a variety of medical plans. For most plans, County contributions pay a majority of the premiums for employees and eligible dependents.
DENTAL PLAN – County pays for employee and eligible dependent coverage.
VISION PLAN – County pays for employee coverage. Employee may purchase eligible dependent coverage.
RETIREMENT – Pension formula 2% at age 60 or 2% at age 62 as determined based on provisions of the CA Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act of 2013(PEPRA). Pension benefit determined by final average compensation of three years. County pays a portion of retirement contribution and participates in Social Security.
LIFE INSURANCE – County paid $20,000 term policy. Employee may purchase additional life insurance.
SDI – Employees in the General Representation Unit participate in the State Disability Insurance (SDI) program. This program is funded 100% by employee payroll deductions.
DEPENDENT-CARE PLAN – Employees who make contributions for child or dependent care may elect to have their contributions made utilizing “pre-tax dollars.”
H-CARE PLAN – Employees who pay a County medical premium share of cost may elect this pre-tax program.
HEALTH CARE FLEXIBLE SPENDING ALLOWANCE (HCFSA) – Employees may elect this pre-tax program to cover qualifying health care expenses.
EMPLOYEE CREDIT UNION – Offers systematic savings and low interest loans.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION – A deferred compensation plan is available to employees.
OTHER – Other pay and benefit items apply to certain positions or assignments, such as Bilingual Pay and Night Shift Differential.

THE EXAMINATION: Your application and supplemental application will be reviewed to determine if you have met the education, experience, training and/or licensing requirements as stated on the job announcement. If you meet these criteria and are one of the best qualified, you may be required to compete in any combination of written, oral and/or performance examinations or a competitive evaluation of training and experience as described on your application and supplemental application. You must pass all components of the examination to be placed on the eligible list. The examination may be eliminated if there are ten or fewer qualified applicants. If the eligible list is established without the administration of the announced examination, the life of the eligible list will be six months and your overall score will be based upon an evaluation of your application and supplemental application. If during those six months it is necessary to administer another examination for this job class, you will be invited to take the examination to remain on the eligible list.

HOW TO APPLY: Apply Online Now!  Click on the link below; or print out an application and supplemental questionnaire and mail/bring them to: Santa Cruz County Personnel Department, 701 Ocean Street, Room 310, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060.  For information, call (831) 454-2600.  Hearing Impaired TDD# (831) 454-2123.  Applications will meet the final filing date if received in one of the following ways:  1) In the Personnel Department by 5:00 p.m. on the final filing date, 2) submitted online before midnight of the final filing date.

Women, minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. If you have a disability that requires test accommodation, please call (831) 454-2600.

To comply with the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act, Santa Cruz County verifies that all new employees are either U.S. citizens or persons authorized to work in the U.S.

Some positions may require fingerprinting and/or background investigation.

NOTE: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

An Equal Opportunity Employer