Agricultural Inspector II

State of Maryland•Talbot, MD

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA) is seeking an Agricultural Inspector II to serve as a primary field representative for the Nursery Inspection Program within Maryland's Eastern Shore territory. This role is crucial for safeguarding the state's nursery industry and natural resources by enforcing the Maryland Plant Pest Control Law and the Invasive Plant Law. The position involves confirming licensure and performing inspections of nurseries and licensed plant dealers to identify, sample, and mitigate the spread of plant pests and diseases. The Plant Protection and Weed Management Program, to which this role belongs, is dedicated to protecting the health of plants and honeybees in Maryland, acting as the state's authority on plant pests and agricultural quarantines.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Two years of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in care and management of animals; animal disease control; care or management of livestock or inspecting veterinary hospitals, riding stables or livestock dealers; installation, inspection, repair, or testing of weighting, volumetric measuring or counting devices; inspecting labeling and packaging; pesticide sales, use, regulation, or application; production, maintenance or inspection of a tree plantation or nursery stock; pest or weed control; wildlife population censuring; or the production, sales, inspection or testing of seed or turf products.
Possession of a motor vehicle operator license valid in the State of Maryland.

Nice To Haves

Experience in entomology, horticulture, forest or forest pest management, invasive plant management or other forestry or ornamental tree experience.
Experience with performing inspections of certified nurseries or plant retail licensed dealers.
Experience working in a field setting collecting samples, surveying inventory of certified nurseries or plant retail dealers.

Responsibilities

Perform routine inspections of certified nurseries and licensed plant dealers, taking samples to the lab as needed to ensure the health and viability of Maryland's plant industry.
Conduct visual inspections with samples of nursery stock to identify plant pests, diseases, and other disorders, and their severity levels, to make recommendations to nursery managers and plant dealers.
Determine that compliance parameters of the Maryland Plant Pest Control Law and Invasive Plant Law are met by nurseries and plant dealers.
Verify that all nursery stock meets state health standards prior to sale and that prohibited plants are not offered for sale.
Determine if plants sold or plant health conditions warrant the issuance of a stop sale or condemnation seizure notice.
Report on and maintain records and data of inspections completed, including precise, legible records of inspection reports, lab results, and regulatory actions taken.
Utilize departmental databases and written forms to document all findings related to inspections conducted.
Assist other Plant Protection and Weed Management section personnel in their work on other projects and activities in other areas of the state.
Provide support to other Maryland nursery inspectors in other territories for emergency assistance related to pest detection, management, and eradication efforts.