Under direction, 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 second-level class in the
Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector series. An employee of this class enforces various
provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code, the California Business and
Professions Code, and other related aspects of the California Code of
Regulations. Incumbents are expected to
be licensed and proficient in multiple programs encompassing both agricultural
and weights and measures inspections and may provide direction and training to
less experienced employees. New program
duties may be assigned as incumbents become licensed in those areas.
TYPICAL DUTIES
(Agricultural Inspection)
Inspects a wide variety of items for
compliance with plant quarantine regulations; determines and enforces the appropriate
disposition of inspected items that do not conform to regulations.
Inspects a wide
variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to insure
compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality; inspects product
samples, issues certificates of inspection, and restricts sale and movement of
sub-standard items.
Conducts surveys for pests not known
to occur in this area and carries out eradication programs against introduced
pests; inspects nurseries for pest cleanliness and compliance with minimum
standards; inspects apiaries and abates diseased hives when necessary.
Identifies and manages 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.
Enforces pesticide regulations to
insure safety of handlers, field workers, public, crops and the environment;
investigates complaints of damage from pesticide use and investigates pesticide-related
illnesses; collects and prepares samples for laboratory analysis; assists in
providing training and educational outreach to growers on pesticide safety and
regulations.
Advises the general public on
agriculture-related matters and identifies 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)
Inspects
and tests the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices for
compliance with established tolerances; condemns the use of commercial weighing
and measuring devices not meeting required standards; issues and attaches seals
to devices that meet required standards.
Measures the
capacity of large tanks; conducts 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.
Inspects packaged
commodities, other goods and petroleum products for accuracy of weight or
measure, correct labeling, and adherence to required specifications; verifies
box tares at canneries and processing plants.
Performs
investigations of suspected illegal acts or unlawful practices concerning
commercial weights and measures and collects available evidence; contacts and
questions complainants and witnesses; provides information concerning cases for
further legal or administrative action.
Verifies Weighmasters’
licenses and determines 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.
May provide direction and training to less experienced
employees
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Licenses: 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: At the time of appointment, must possess at least five (5) valid statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (e.g. in Pesticide Regulation; Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; Investigation and Environmental Monitoring; Integrated Pest Management; Commodity Regulation; Weights Verification; Measures Verification; or Transaction and Product Verification). These licenses must include:
1)Both of the following Agricultural Inspector/Biologist licenses:
a)Pesticide Regulation; and
b)Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation;
2)And at least one (1) of the following Weights/Measures Inspector licenses:
a)Weights Verification; or
b)Measurement Verification
Experience: Two (2) years working as a state-licensed county agricultural inspector/biologist or weights and measures inspector.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and practices of agriculture,
including crops, soils, equipment and related items; 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
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; proficiently 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.