Agricultural & Standards Inspector - Senior

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

Please include with your application materials the required eight (8) State issued licenses.  Upload the documents to your electronic application.

The Agricultural Department has a current vacancy for an Agricultural & Standards Inspector I/II/Sr.  This is a permanent, full-time position.  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.

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

This is the advanced journey level class in the Agricultural Inspector series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, the amount of time spent performing duties and nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including specialized inspection duties of a complex and difficult nature and exercise technical and functional supervision of technical staff.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned areas of responsibility.

Receives direction from assigned supervisory or management staff.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over technical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Train and lead other technical staff in agricultural, pesticide use enforcement, and weights and measures inspection functions.
• Enforce State and County pesticide laws and regulations through issuance of permits, including restricted materials permits; on-site inspection and investigation; monitor application and use of pesticides; requiring a high level of skill.
• Investigate pesticide illness and property loss and environmental effects related to pesticide use.
• Conduct inspections of a difficult and complex nature at plant nurseries and feed stores for detection of potentially harmful diseases and pests; take appropriate action.
• Conduct quarantine inspections requiring a high level of skill and issue certificates of quarantine compliance for out going plant material.
• Perform difficult and complex detection surveys in areas of known insect, weed and disease infestations; identify, document and delineate new infestations; supervise pesticide applications.
• Conduct nursery inspections requiring a high level of skill and expertise for detection of pests; take appropriate action to eradicate harmful pests, issue certificates of compliance and notices of non-compliance, and recommend appropriate alternative actions.
• Conduct fruit, vegetable, honey and egg quality control; perform apiary and swarm inspections requiring a high level of skill.
• Inspect field harvesting equipment for seed certification program.
• Review phytosanitary certificate applications, conduct commodity field inspections, issue certificates in accordance with Federal and State protocols.
• Conduct quantity control audits of packaged commodities and price verification inspections of 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 laws, regulations and established tolerances and issue County seal, as required; respond to and investigate complaints.
• Investigate firewood complaints in order to verify accurate measurement. 
• Conduct inspections of vapor recovery systems at gasoline stations for compliance with air quality standards.
• Prepare initial drafts of administrative civil penalty documents for violations of agricultural, pesticide, and weights and measures laws and regulations for supervisory and management review; apply investigative techniques, collect and document evidence; and represent the department in civil penalty hearings.
• Take appropriate compliance and enforcement action; issue notices of violations of agricultural, pesticide, and weights and measures laws and regulations.
• Provide technical assistance to supervisory or management staff as necessary.  
• Represent the department to outside groups and organizations.
• Prepare technical, administrative and regulatory reports and statistical studies of a complex nature; 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.

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 journey level agricultural and weights and measures inspection experience performing duties similar to an Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector II with Placer County.

Training: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences.

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree to qualify for this recruitment. Education equivalency or substitution of additional experience will not be used to meet the Bachelor's degree requirement.

License or Certificate:

• Possession of eight State issued licenses as an Agricultural Inspector and a 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 of:

• Principles and practices of agricultural, pesticide and weights and measures inspection.
• Rules for proper evidence gathering and sampling procedures.
• 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 Agriculture Department.
• 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.

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; and enforce regulations; review, interpret and explain laws and regulations; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; and observe safety precautions, especially in the field.
• Intermittently sit 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.
• Utilize inspection and exam procedure manuals.
• Interpret, explain and enforce the full range of agricultural, pesticide and weights and measurements laws and regulations.
• Train, assign, review and evaluate work of subordinate personnel.
• Utilize, follow and reference inspection and exam procedure manuals.
• Compile and maintain detailed inspection records and utilize computer databases to input, track and review inspections.
• Identify and understand the operation of technical equipment used for pest eradication and/or control; understand the effect of various weather conditions and patterns on pesticide applications.
• Perform agricultural, pesticide use enforcement and weights and measures regulatory inspections of a complex and difficult nature.
• Inspect and certify the accuracy of all 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.
• Quickly recognize and identify unusual pests or pests of a particularly destructive nature and problem solve to take appropriate eradication and protective actions.
• Compile, analyze and evaluate difficult and complex technical and statistical information.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruption.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use a computer and modern office equipment.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

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.

All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be required to respond to an online Conviction History Questionnaire, which will be sent as a link on their notification that minimum qualifications have been met.  Failure to respond to this questionnaire within (3) three calendar days of the minimum qualification notification will result in disqualification from the examination.

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination, which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation, sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S.  For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation and/or be bonded.

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

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.

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, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources 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.

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 Human Resources Department.

Click here to view benefits for General bargaining unit