Agricultural and Standards Inspector I

County of Madera • Madera, CA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Under general supervision, performs inspections, conducts investigations, and enforces state and federal laws pertaining to agriculture and weights and measures regulatory programs; and performs related duties as assigned. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. Some duties may be performed in a learning capacity for entry (I level) and first working level (II level) positions.

Requirements

• Applicable federal, state, and county laws, codes, rules, regulations, and standards affecting agricultural use and functions and weights and measures.
• Agricultural inspection methods related to plant quarantine; pest detection; nursery and seed regulation; pesticide use enforcement; vertebrate, insect, and disease pest management; fruit, vegetable, and egg quality control; weed control; apiary regulations, etc.
• Principles and practices of weights and measures inspection, including measuring/weighing devices, quantity control of packaged commodities, electric measuring devices, and compressed gases.
• Identification of crops, vertebrate pests, basic insects, plants, and trees.
• Methods and techniques relevant to weights and measures investigation and enforcement.
• Technical instruments such as GPS provers, scales, and refractometers.
• Recordkeeping and reporting preparation methods.
• Business arithmetic.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.
• The structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination, including computers and software programs relevant to work performed.
• Conduct accurate inspections and investigations; detect and sample agricultural seeds, plants, and products to evaluate conformance to regulations.
• Conduct accurate inspections of a large variety of weighing, metering, and measuring devices.
• Enforce laws, issue citations and notices of violations, make appropriate recommendations for corrective action as conditions or studies warrant or permit.
• Identify pests; inspect pesticide use; operate eradication equipment.
• Record monies received, calculate packaging errors, use sampling techniques.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed and findings.
• Safely operate, calibrate, and maintain analytical devices and equipment.
• Educate members of the public, agricultural industry, and pest control business as to the proper application techniques.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written material.
• Utilize GPS provers, scales, refractometers, and other technical instruments.
• Safely operate County equipment and vehicles, including off-road vehicles.
• Handle, mix, load, and apply chemical controls for weeds and rodents.
• Understand, interpret, and apply all pertinent laws, codes, regulations, policies and procedures, and standards relevant to the work performed.
• Independently organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow-up on assignments.
• Effectively use computer systems, software applications relevant to work performed, and modern business equipment to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, using appropriate English grammar and syntax.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain by the time of appointment, an appropriate California driver’s license.
• Some positions may be required to possess and maintain a California Class B driver license.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain, at least one (1) valid license as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the CDFA within twelve (12) months of appointment.
• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer, and to operate a motor vehicle to visit various County and meeting sites; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
• Standing in and walking between work areas is frequently required.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
• Positions in this classification frequently bend, stoop, kneel, and reach to perform assigned duties, as well as push and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
• Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 10 pounds.
• Must possess mobility to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, bend, stoop, squat, crouch, and grasp; to climb and descend ladders; strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work, to work in confining spaces and around machines; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person, before groups, and over the telephone or radio.
• Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate above-mentioned tools and equipment.
• Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 50 pounds or heavier weights with the use of proper equipment and assistance from other staff.
• Employees predominately work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employees may work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, and hazardous chemical substances and fumes.
• Employees may interact with members of the public or with staff under emotionally stressful conditions while interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Nice To Haves

• Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in agriculture, biological sciences, chemistry, engineering, or a closely related field as accepted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

Responsibilities

• Conducts field surveys and inspections in areas applicable to the Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer of Weights and Measures Department including pesticide regulation, investigation and environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, commodity regulation, pest prevention and plant regulation, weight verification, measurement verification, and transactions and product verification; examines various agricultural products at point of origin or at markets for compliance with standards; issues violation notices indicating required reconditioning and reinspection for compliance.
• Investigates and determines commodity fitness and recommends remedial measures used in regulation of agricultural industry, such as suggestions or reprimands, issuing certificates of compliance or notice of non-compliance, ordering reconditioning or destruction of commodities, and office hearings or issuing citations.
• Disseminates agricultural and weights and measures policies, legal requirements, and information; advises and serves the general public, community groups, government agencies, and private industry on agricultural and weights and measures problems and concerns.
• Conducts studies and reports such as annual crop statistics, pesticide illness investigations, statistical sampling surveys, follow-up inspections, and investigation of complaints and violations.
• Examines plant materials in nurseries for insect pests, plant diseases, and noxious weeds; notes findings and control procedures or plant destruction as required; examines retail nursery stock for labeling.
• Performs certified farmer’s markets produce quality control activities; issues Farmer’s Market Certificates; schedules and inspects local grower crops registered as organic; investigates related complaints.
• Surveys fields, orchards, gardens, and mills to locate pests; inspects range and farmland, roadsides, warehouses, and farm buildings to ascertain the degree and extent of rodent infestation.
• Develops and sends surveys to locate infestations of noxious or poisonous weeds; assists in field surveys to determine the presence of insect pests, plant diseases, or parasites.
• Inspects apiaries and equipment for colony strength and evidence of disease; issues inspection certificates and permits for removal of apiaries as required; directs appropriate disease control measures.
• Responds to and investigates inquiries from the public; investigates complaints and prepares an appropriate response.
• Performs pesticide monitoring inspections for pre-application, application, and field worker safety; inspects equipment and storage facilities; reviews maintained records.
• Inspects plant material and agricultural products held by common carriers for insect pests, plant disease, weeds, or weed seeds, and for compliance with pertinent quarantine regulations; issues certificates for approved material or indicates pest or disease found and recommends proper control methods.
• Processes requests for restricted materials permits; issues grower and site identification numbers; conducts appropriate inspections and prepares reports.
• Inspects petroleum dispensing, electric, and vapor meters; livestock, vehicular, hopper, and small retail scales; linear measuring devices; and a variety of other weighing and measuring devices for adherence to state and federal laws, regulations, and specifications.
• Checks packaged commodities for quantity control violations; inspects service stations for compliance with petroleum labeling laws and takes samples as required; performs weigh master inspections and audits of records.
• Pursues enforcement actions when violations of agriculture or weight and measure regulations are suspected; gathers and assembles evidence; prepares written reports; presents evidence and assists in the preparation of cases in court or in administrative hearings.
• Issues notices of violation and follows up on cases to ensure resolution; assists in preparing cases for prosecution and provides court testimony as required.
• Surveys and gathers various types of data and statistical information necessary to complete monthly and annual reports to the state and other appropriate agencies.
• Provides lead supervision to subordinate inspection personnel in the field as assigned.
• Represents the department at meetings with representatives of governmental agencies; professional, business, and community organizations; and the public.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of agriculture and weight and measures.
• Participates in public education efforts by giving presentations to various business, civic, and community groups; conducts appropriate training sessions; provides related content for the County website.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• TB screening, and related follow up testing as necessary.
• Medical examination, which includes a review of medical history.
• Verification of identity and citizenship or legal right to work in the United States.
• Fingerprinted.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level