Placer Employment Opportunities

Agricultural & Standards Inspector - II

Recruitment #2014-14502-01

Introduction

Recruitments for Agricultural and Standards Inspector I and Agricultural and Standards Inspector II are being conducted concurrently. There are two separate recruitments; one for each level. If you would like to be considered for both recruitments, separate applications and accompanying supplemental questionnaires must be submitted for each recruitment. If applying for both recruitments, you may wish to complete an Application on File and use it to copy into each recruitment.

Candidates must possess a Bachelors degree, no equivalent or substitution experience will be used to meet the Bachelors degree requirement.

POSITION INFORMATION

The current position is permanent, full time. Applicants must be willing to spend approximately 75% of their time working outdoors in all types of weather conditions and occasionally work nights, weekends, and holidays. Incumbents will perform agriculture, pesticide and weights and measures regulatory compliance and enforcement work including invasive pest, quarantine, pesticide use, and commercial weighing and measuring device inspections.

DEFINITION

To interpret and enforce laws and regulations of the State of California and the County pertaining to agriculture, pesticides, and weights and measures.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the full journey level class within the Agricultural and Standards Inspector series.  This class is distinguished from the Agricultural and Standards Inspector I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Senior Agricultural and Standards Inspector in that the latter performs complex and difficult agricultural/weights enforcement and inspection duties and exercises technical and functional supervision over other technical staff.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from other technical personnel.
 

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • Enforce State and County pesticide laws and regulations through the issuance of permits, including restricted materials permits, on-site inspection and investigation; monitor application and use of appropriate pesticides.
  • Investigate pesticide illnesses and property loss and environmental effects related to pesticide use.
  • Conduct quarantine inspections of plant material for detection of potentially harmful diseases and pests.
  • Perform detection surveys of areas of known insect, weed and disease infestations; identify, document and delineate new infestations; identify target pests and place and service insect traps; apply pesticides.
  • Conduct nursery inspections for detection of pests; take appropriate action to eradicate harmful pests; issue certificates of compliance, and notices of non-compliance.
  • Conduct fruit, vegetable, honey and egg quality control; perform apiary and swarm inspections.
  • Conduct quality control audits of packaged commodities and price verification at commercial outlets.
  • Conduct weights and measures inspections of commercial devices (including scales, water meters, electric meters, taxi meters, retail meters and high volume meters) for accuracy and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and established tolerances and issue County seal, as required; respond to and investigate complaints.
  • Conduct inspections of vapor recovery systems at gasoline stations for compiance with air quality standards.
  • Issue notices for violations of agricultural, pesticide and weights and measures laws and regulations.
  • Prepare initial drafts of administrative civil penalty documents for violations of agricultural, pesticide and weights and measures laws and regularions for supervisory and management review; apply investigative techniques, collect and document evidence; and represent the department in civil penalty hearings.
  • Represent the department to outside groups and organizations; provide technical assistance as necessary.
  • Prepare technical and administrative reports, statistics and studies; prepare written correspondence as necessary.
  • Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, the public and regulated industries using principles of good customer service.
  • Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the applicant's responsibility to identify in their application materials how they meet the Minimum Qualifications listed below.

Experience: Two years of responsible agricultural weights and measures inspection experience performing duties similar to an Agricultural and Standards Inspector I with Placer County.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences; OR

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, in one or any combination of the following disciplines: agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences.  

License or Certificate:

  • Possession of State issued Pesticide Regulation, Investigation and Environmental Monitoring, and Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation licenses as County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist, and Weight Verification and Measurement Verification licenses as County Weights and Measures Inspector.
  • Possession of Class C, or ability to obtain, a valid Commercial Class A, B, or C driver's license with air brake, hazardous materials, and/or tanker endorsements as required depending upon the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
     

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

  • Principles and practices of agricultural, pesticide, and weights and measures inspection.
  • General entomology principles.
  • Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
  • Principles and practices of work safety.
  • English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
  • Arithmetic, basic statistics and mathematical calculations.
  • Agricultural laws, rules and regulations governing general inspection for agricultural pests.
  • Detection and eradication techniques of diseases and pests relating to agricultural commodities.
  • State laws and regulations of weights and measures.
  • State laws and regulations of pesticide use enforcement.
  • Policies and procedures of the Agricultural Department.

Ability to:

  • On a continuous basis, analyze situations and develop solutions to situations involving pest identification and eradication and determination of accuracy of weighing and measuring devices; identify, interpret, explain and enforce violations; review, interpret, explain and enforce laws and  regulations; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; and observe safety precautions, especially in the field.
  • Utilize inspection and exam procedure manuals.
  • Identify and understand the operation of technical equipment used for pest eradication and/or control.
  • Inspect and certify the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices.
  • Drive a large weight truck and operate a mechanical hoist that lifts 1000 pound standards for testing large capacity scales. 
  • Pull and maneuver a trailer.
  • Recognize pests and problem solve to take appropriate actions.
  • Compile, analyze and evaluate technical and statistical information.
  • Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
  • Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruption.
  • Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
  • Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
  • Use a computer and modern office equipment.
  • Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
  • Identify and understand the operation of the full range of technical equipment used for pest detection, eradication and/or control.
  • Independently inspect and certify the accuracy of scales and other commercial weighing and measuring devices.
  • Interpret, explain and enforce the full range of agricultural, pesticide, and weights and measures laws and regulations.  
  • Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
  • Intermittently, sit at a desk while compiling data and writing reports; walk, stand, climb and bend in the field; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; write or use a keyboard to communicate; and lift very heavy weight.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula.  Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants for regular full and part-time positions must pass a medical examination which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation. Applicants for extra help positions may be subject to a drug screening. All applicants must sign a constitutional oath, submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. and be fingerprinted. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, be bonded or undergo a background check.

MODIFIED AGENCY SHOP

All new permanent employees, with the exception of sworn law enforcement and management, shall be required to join the employee organization or pay an 'Agency Fee' as a condition of employment.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at: http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment and retaliation is prohibited and that all employees and applicants shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of sex, sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religious creed, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions, or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws or ordinance. Please contact the Personnel Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

BENEFITS

The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change.  It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Personnel Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit



Powered by JobAps