Ag Biologist/Standards Inspector IV

sjgov•Stockton, CA

11h

About The Position

Introduction This examination is being given to fill 1 vacancy in the Agricultural Commissioner's Office and to establish an eligible list that may be used to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline. NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file, Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail. Pre-Employment Drug Screening and Background : Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen and successfully completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen. The following incentives and bonuses may be available for eligible new hires . Incentives and bonuses are subject to approval by Human Resources: Vacation Accrual Rate : San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidate's total years of public service. Sick Leave : Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours (up to 160 hours) from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin County's minimum sick leave cash out provisions. New Hire Retention Bonus : $2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2,080 hours) $1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6,240 hours) $3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12,480 hours) TYPICAL DUTIES (Agricultural Inspection) Supervises and participates in the inspection of 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. Supervises and participates in the inspection of a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to ensure 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 controls 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 ensure 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) Supervises and participates in the inspection and testing of 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 ensure 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) Plans, assigns, and evaluates inspector workloads; evaluates projected workload, equipment, and supplies to determine budgetary needs and staffing levels. Provides training to lower-level inspection staff in specialized program(s). Directs, coordinates and participates in the gathering of information and the preparation of inspection and investigative reports; the compiling and maintenance of records; and the preparation of statistical reports.

Requirements

Four (4) years of full-time experience working as a state-licensed County agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector, one (1) year of which must have been at a level equivalent to an Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector III in San Joaquin County service.
Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
Depending on the nature of assignment, may be required to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License.
At the time of appointment, must possess valid licenses in all eight (8) statewide specific categories as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and County Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
These are identified as follows: a) Pesticide Regulation; b) Investigation and Environmental Monitoring; c) Weights Verification; d) Measures Verification; e)Integrated Pest Management; f) Commodity Regulation; g) Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; and h) Transaction and Product Verification.
Possession of a valid license as a Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner or Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture may substitute for one year of the general, non-equivalent Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector III years of experience.
Plan, organize, and administer field inspection operations, supervise, evaluate and train staff; 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.

Responsibilities

Supervises and participates in the inspection of 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.
Supervises and participates in the inspection of a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to ensure 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 controls 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 ensure 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.
Supervises and participates in the inspection and testing of 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 ensure 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.
Plans, assigns, and evaluates inspector workloads; evaluates projected workload, equipment, and supplies to determine budgetary needs and staffing levels.
Provides training to lower-level inspection staff in specialized program(s).
Directs, coordinates and participates in the gathering of information and the preparation of inspection and investigative reports; the compiling and maintenance of records; and the preparation of statistical reports.

Benefits

Vacation Accrual Rate : San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidate's total years of public service.
Sick Leave : Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours (up to 160 hours) from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin County's minimum sick leave cash out provisions.
New Hire Retention Bonus : $2,000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2,080 hours) $1,000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6,240 hours) $3,000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12,480 hours)
Health Insurance : San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.
Dental Insurance : The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.
Vision Insurance : The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.
Life Insurance : The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows: 1 but less than 3 years of continuous service: $1,000 3 but less than 5 years of continuous service: $3,000 5 but less than 10 years of continuous service: $5,000 10 years of continuous service or more: $10,000 Employee may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.
125 Flexible Benefits Plan : This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit).
Retirement Plan : Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937.
Deferred Compensation : The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.
Vacation : Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.
Holidays : Effective July 1, 2017, all civil service status employees earn 14 paid holidays each year.
Sick Leave : 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation.
Sick leave incentive : An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one- half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.
Bereavement Leave : 3 days of paid leave for the death of qualifying family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.
Merit Salary Increase : New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.
Educational Reimbursement Program : Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.
Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton: The County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.
School Activities : Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.