Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1-3

State of Louisiana•Monroe, LA

9d•Onsite

About The Position

This position performs duties for the Office of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. It entails responsibility and professional agricultural inspection and enforcement work in a variety of technically specialized and professional regulatory programs, including but not limited to fertilizer, horticulture, liming, pesticides, quarantine, seed, industrial hemp, and structural pest control. General supervision for this position is received from the Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager or Agricultural Environmental Specialist Supervisor. The role offers opportunities for leadership, professional development, and specialized advancement. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry (LDAF) is committed to the well-being of its employees, offering a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for employees and their household members.

Requirements

Three 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.
Information to support eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
Applications may be rejected if incomplete.

Nice To Haves

Communicating Effectively: The ability to convey information, ideas, and emotions using structured communication methods that promote understanding and engagement.
Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.
Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.
Accepting Direction: The ability to be open and willing to follow guidance or instructions.
Demonstrating Initiative: The ability to assess situations independently and take proactive steps to address them without being prompted or instructed by others.
Displaying Expertise: The ability to demonstrate specialized knowledge, skills, and experience to apply subject-matter expertise in diverse and evolving contexts.
Driving Results: The ability to set and pursue goals, maintain focus amid competing demands, and deliver results.
Managing Projects: The ability to plan, implement, and close out project initiatives by coordinating people, resources, and timelines to achieve defined outcomes.

Responsibilities

Evaluates and compiles data and other facts related to inspections within the described functional areas into comprehensive technical reports using established regulatory criteria, policies, and procedures.
Ensures consumer products meet applicable quality standards through routine sampling in various functional areas such as disease/insect/weed free; quality seed germination; products meeting declared amounts on labels; quality plant installation and maintenance; pesticide treatments providing protection of human health, homes, and crops; quality agricultural lime; and assists in preventing the introduction of noxious weeds, insects, and diseases.
Issues stop orders on applicable goods, products, or activities that are not registered or are substandard.
Conducts field inspections on various crops, bulk bin seed sampling, records inspection, and seed processor facility inspections for seed certification, requiring knowledge of various crops and varieties related to the Seed Certification Program.
Conducts inspections and/or investigations related to pesticide producers, distributors, dealers, or aerial or ground pesticide applicators, ensuring compliance with licensing/certification, record keeping, and use laws, rules, and regulations.
Inspects structures treated and pretreated by local pest companies to ensure termite treatment meets minimum standards set by pest control laws, requiring experience in the structural pest control program to understand rules and regulations and to discuss with pest control operators.
Collects routine official regulatory samples of seed, fertilizer, and agricultural lime from manufacturers, dealers, and farmers, as well as investigative samples due to complaints or as follow-up to previous sample collections.
Uses various electronic devices to assist in inspection/investigation documentation and stays current with available technology by participating in training or through independent study.
Operates and maintains a state vehicle in the performance of duties.
May be required to make inspections of rice fields on horseback.
Statewide travel may be required.
Performs other duties as may be assigned.