Under general supervision, learns and performs professional
and technical work in enforcing state, federal, and local agricultural and
weights and measures laws and ordinances; and does related or other work as
required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the first-level class in the
Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector series. An employee of this class learns to enforce
various provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code, the California Business
and Professions Code, and other related aspects of the California Code of
Regulations. Initially, duties are
performed under immediate supervision and may involve a limited area of inspection. As knowledge and experience are gained,
broader and more independent responsibilities involving multiple programs may
be assigned.
TYPICAL DUTIES
(Agricultural Inspection)
Learns to inspect a wide variety of
items for compliance with plant quarantine regulations; learns to determine and
enforce the appropriate disposition of inspected items that do not conform to
regulations.
Learns to inspect a
wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to insure
compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality; learns to inspect
product samples, issue certificates of inspection, and restrict sale and
movement of sub-standard items.
Learns to conduct surveys for pests
not known to occur in this area and to carry out eradication programs against
introduced pests; learns to inspect nurseries for pest cleanliness and
compliance with minimum standards; learns to inspect apiaries and abate
diseased hives when necessary.
Learns to identify and manage pests to
protect crops and to determine and recommend the most efficient control
measures; explains use of pesticides and other pest-control materials; conducts
surveys if necessary; conducts experiments to determine effectiveness of
various control measures.
Learns to enforce pesticide
regulations to insure safety of handlers, field workers, public, crops and the
environment; learns to investigate complaints of damage from pesticide use and
to investigate pesticide-related illnesses; collects and prepares samples for
laboratory analysis; assists in providing training and educational outreach to
growers on pesticide safety and regulations.
Learns to advise the general public on
agriculture-related matters and to identify plants, diseases, insects, and
pests; explains the requirements of inter- or intra- state or country movement
of plants and other agricultural produce.
Participates in legal actions against
growers, packers, shippers, farm workers, or others who do not comply with Food
and Agriculture Code and subsequent regulations; participates in informal
office hearings; collects and reports evidence of violations.
(Weights and Measures Inspection)
Learns to
inspect and test the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices for
compliance with established tolerances; learns to condemn the use of commercial
weighing and measuring devices not meeting required standards; issues and
attaches seals to devices that meet required standards.
Learns to
measure the capacity of large tanks; learns to conduct tests of meters used for
registering dispensing of liquids, such as gasoline, oil and grease; places
“out of order” tags on meters if defective and re-inspects meters after repair
to insure that meter is correct; affixes seal as appropriate.
Learns to inspect packaged
commodities, other goods and petroleum products for accuracy of weight or
measure, correct labeling, and adherence to required specifications; learns to
verify box tares at canneries and processing plants.
Learns to
perform investigations of suspected illegal acts or unlawful practices
concerning commercial weights and measures and to collect available evidence;
contacts and questions complainants and witnesses; provides information
concerning cases for further legal or administrative action.
Learns to verify Weighmasters’
licenses and determine whether certificates of weight are being issued
correctly.
(All Assignments)
Gathers information and prepares
inspection and investigative reports; compiles and maintains records; prepares
statistical reports.
Cooperates with officials and
regulators from other governmental agencies on joint operations; may conduct
surveillance, certification, and/or quarantine inspections for other agencies
as requested.
May testify in court.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s
degree that meets the requirements for admission to a County
Inspector/Biologist examination administered by the State of California
Department of Food and Agriculture (See the California Code of Regulations,
Title 3, Section 105(a)).
Substitution:
Possession of one (1) valid statewide specific category license
as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist (in either Pesticide Regulation;
Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; Investigation and Environmental
Monitoring; Integrated Pest Management; or Commodity Regulation) may
substitute for the above-required education.
License:
Possession of a valid California driver’s license. If required by the nature of the assignment,
may be required to obtain a Class A or Class B license.
Special
Requirements: As a condition of continued employment, must possess
or obtain at least one (1) valid statewide specific category license as a
County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures
Inspector within twelve months of
appointment. The category licenses
that can be obtained to meet this requirement are identified as follows:
Pesticide Regulation;
Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation;
Investigation and Environmental Monitoring;
Integrated Pest Management;
Commodity Regulation;
Weight Verification;
Measurement Verification; or
Transaction and Product Verification.
KNOWLEDGE
Basic principles and practices of agriculture
including crops, soils, equipment and related items; basic principles and
practices of horticulture, plant pathology and entomology; common pest
vertebrates, insects, weeds, and other agricultural pests; common pesticides,
traps, baits and other pest control measures, the laws,
rules and regulations relating to the use of commercial weighing and measuring
devices; methods and techniques used in verifying the accuracy of weighing and
measuring devices within allowed tolerances; basic mathematics; basic
experimentation procedures, including sampling, testing, control methods, and
data collection; basic public relations; report writing practices.
ABILITY
Read,
understand, and interpret job-related material including technical and legal
publications; enforce laws, regulations and guidelines firmly, tactfully, and
impartially; make decisions on routine enforcement problems in accordance with
established policies and procedures; communicate effectively, both orally and
in writing; establish and maintain effective
relationships with those encountered during the course of work, including the
public; prepare clear and concise reports; use and maintain various testing
instruments and devices used in the weights and measures field; learn to use
Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point computer programs.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility - Occasional operation of keyboards, sitting or standing for extended periods, climbing stairs or ladders, running or crawling; frequent walking, driving, pushing/pulling and bending/squatting; Lifting - Frequent lifting of 5 to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds; ability to lift and carry a 5-gallon container of liquid for a distance of 50 feet; Vision - Excellent overall vision including good color and depth perception with constant eye/hand coordination; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity - normal dexterity with constant holding; frequent reaching, grasping, repetitive motion and writing; Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing normal speech; frequent hearing and talking on the telephone/radio and in person; occasional hearing faint sounds; Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration with frequent public contact and decision making; frequent exposure to hazardous materials and occasional exposure to emergency situations and heights; Special Conditions - frequent exposure to outdoor conditions; may require frequent overtime, weekend or evening work, and working alone.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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