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Ag Biologist/Standards Inspector II (#RA0176)
$31.14-$37.85 Hourly / $5,397.94-$6,561.23 Monthly / $64,775.35-$78,734.85 Yearly




DEFINITION

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.

CLASS: RA0176; EST: 9/19/2016;