Agricultural Environmental Specialist Administrative Coordinator

State of Louisiana•Baton Rouge, LA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the Office of Agriculture Environmental Sciences, Pesticides division, East Baton Rouge Parish. Lead critical statewide initiatives that protect Louisiana’s agriculture, environment, and public safety. As an Agricultural Environmental Specialist Administrative Coordinator, you’ll oversee pesticide certification and safety programs, guide statewide training and compliance efforts, provide expert regulatory leadership, support emergency response coordination, and help shape policies that safeguard agricultural communities while driving education, innovation, and environmental stewardship across the state. Join the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) as an Agricultural Environmental Specialist Administrative Coordinator! LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.

Requirements

Eight years of experience in agriculture, chemistry, natural resource management, structural pest control, or inspection or enforcement for compliance with agricultural, environmental, or public health laws, rules or regulations; OR A bachelor’s degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental science, or engineering field plus five years of the required specialized experience; OR A master's degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental science, or engineering field plus four years of the required specialized experience.

Responsibilities

Lead and administer statewide pesticide certification and training programs that ensure pesticide applicators across Louisiana maintain the knowledge, qualifications, and regulatory compliance needed to protect public health, agriculture, and the environment.
Coordinate administrative decisions regarding Pesticide Safety Education and recertification of pesticide applicator categories with industry and department personnel.
Provide recommendations involving program priorities and direction of pesticide certification, training and safety.
Coordinates in conjunction with the LSU AgCenter Pesticide Safety Education Program coordinator to monitor, maintain, and regularly review and revise, pesticide applicator examination study manuals.
Serve as department content area expert and consultant for concerns arising in pesticide certification, training and safety, including law, rules, and regulations interpretation.
Develops and maintains security procedures and internal controls to ensure the integrity of the examination process.
Supervise office support staff to ensure program and offices requirements are met.
Provide oversight of statewide Worker Protection Standard (WPS) training program with pesticide applicators, trainers and handlers.
Ensure that all farm workers/handlers are educated in WPS.
Implements, assists, and provides guidance to subordinate Agricultural Environmental Specialists as needed during their inspections or investigations of pesticide applications performed for the protection of human health, structures, and/or agricultural commodities.
Participates in national, regional, state, and local continuing education/professional development programs and courses as they become available and resources permit.
Monitor website with recommendations for updates and revisions for aiding the public and other interested parties.
Provide statewide emergency management coordination as needed.