Agriculture Field Inspector

Oklahoma State Government•Oklahoma City, OK

11d•$26

About The Position

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) is seeking a full-time Consumer Protection Services (CPS) Field Agent in the Consumer Protection Services Division. This position (PIN #04000440) is in state government, located in Pontotoc, Murray, or Johnston Counties, OK. The State of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive Benefits Package , including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents. The hourly pay for this position is up to $ 25.51 based on education and experience. Position Description: This position is responsible for monitoring pre-construction termite treatments; conducting the routine inspection, performing any required sampling, and completing all associated reports; investigating pesticide complaints; checking scales, performing price verification checks, follow-up procedures, and tracking & reporting all pesticide related complaints and tips using equipment such as computers, digital photography, and database for preparation of reports and electronic submission to central office; conducting and reporting on a variety of CPS Inspections; sampling of pesticide products and ag resource products, as well as, attending training programs, public speaking activities, displays at meetings. Typical Functions: The functions within this job family will vary by level and area of assignment, but may include the following: Conducts inspections, investigations, samplings, and surveys of agricultural services, operations, products, facilities, and related activities of owners, operators, producers, and distributors of agricultural products to ensure compliance with agricultural laws. Audits records; license facilities, dealers and manufacturers. Provides consultative services to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and to protect the consumer and other individuals within the industry. Inspects agricultural products, facilities, dealers, manufacturers and producers in an area or district to ensure compliance with production, quality control programs, and environmental land consumer protection laws and standards. Collects samples of water, air, soil, industrial waste, seed, feed, fertilizer, blood, milk and meat for analysis to ensure proper sanitation, good animal health, clean and wholesome products for consumers, and that health standards are met for the public. Grades agriculture commodities; prepares reports; maintains records; and compiles statistical data. Collects and analyzes environmental samples; provides technical assistance; and prepares enforcement documentation. Monitors the state’s agricultural products to protect the public health; issues licenses, provides training and technical assistance; enforces applicable rules and regulations. Evaluates environmental health status of the state and prepares relevant reports; performs epidemiological investigations to prevent environmental health and protection incidents. Presents cases of apparent violations and serves as expert witness in formal hearings and courts of law regarding agricultural regulatory requirements. Researches, develops, and assists in the implementation of long term planning for efficient use of the state’s air and water resources; assists in the development of waste reduction practices through recycling and pollution prevention programs; ensures waste disposal practices protect land resources for present and future use. Analyzes industry generated food safety programs including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP). Conducts tests on weighing and/or measuring devices, blood samples, reagents, compounds, and solutions for compliance with weights and measures, animal diseases, and environmental quality laws and regulations. Monitors and approves temporary and emergency storage; recommends needed statutory or rule changes; administers the Commodity Storage Indemnity fund; coordinates Commodity Credit Corporation required examinations, license suspensions and/or revocations, seizure and salvage of commodities operations following revocation of license; initiates security bond collections. Level Description: This job family consists of five levels which are distinguished based on the complexity of job assignments, the level of expertise required to perform assigned duties, and the responsibility assigned for the leadership of others or the management of assigned functions. Level I: This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities involving beginning level work in a training status to build their skills in conducting investigations, performing basic professional analysis and interpreting state and federal laws, rules and regulations concerning agricultural products and services. In this role they will be involved in the evaluation of inspection and survey data, preparing technical records and reports, and assisting in making recommendations concerning remedial action to correct agricultural, environmental, water, and other problems. Level II: This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities at the full performance level for performing a full range of tasks involving investigation, analysis, and interpretation of state and federal laws. In this role, employees will evaluate inspection and survey data, prepare technical reports and records, and make recommendations concerning remedial actions to correct agricultural, environmental, water, and other problems. Some responsibility may be assigned to provide limited guidance and training to entry-level employees performing program duties.

Requirements

Level I: Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree in an agricultural, biological, plant, animal, physical or natural science, food technology, or a closely related field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Level II: Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus one additional year of qualifying inspection experience or administrative or managerial experience in an agricultural related field.
Knowledge of procedures for inspecting, evaluating and grading various agricultural commodities
Knowledge of state and USDA regulations governing the standards and transport of applicable agricultural products
Knowledge of federal and state laws regarding packaging and other standards related to agricultural products
Knowledge of environmental and sanitation standards
Knowledge of materials and equipment used in the applicable agricultural industry
Knowledge of various types of animal and plant diseases
Knowledge of record keeping
Knowledge of basic mathematics including percentages
Knowledge of English usage
Ability is required to conduct inspections related to agricultural products, services, and facilities to determine compliance with established standards, laws and regulations
Ability to follow complex oral and written instructions
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
Ability to attend to several matters simultaneously
Ability to operate and maintain monitoring and detection equipment
Ability to apply research methodologies
Applicants must possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license to fulfill all job-related travel including some overnight travel and attendance of out-of-state meetings.

Responsibilities

monitoring pre-construction termite treatments
conducting the routine inspection, performing any required sampling, and completing all associated reports
investigating pesticide complaints
checking scales, performing price verification checks, follow-up procedures, and tracking & reporting all pesticide related complaints and tips using equipment such as computers, digital photography, and database for preparation of reports and electronic submission to central office
conducting and reporting on a variety of CPS Inspections
sampling of pesticide products and ag resource products, as well as, attending training programs, public speaking activities, displays at meetings
Conducts inspections, investigations, samplings, and surveys of agricultural services, operations, products, facilities, and related activities of owners, operators, producers, and distributors of agricultural products to ensure compliance with agricultural laws
Audits records; license facilities, dealers and manufacturers
Provides consultative services to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and to protect the consumer and other individuals within the industry
Inspects agricultural products, facilities, dealers, manufacturers and producers in an area or district to ensure compliance with production, quality control programs, and environmental land consumer protection laws and standards
Collects samples of water, air, soil, industrial waste, seed, feed, fertilizer, blood, milk and meat for analysis to ensure proper sanitation, good animal health, clean and wholesome products for consumers, and that health standards are met for the public
Grades agriculture commodities; prepares reports; maintains records; and compiles statistical data
Collects and analyzes environmental samples; provides technical assistance; and prepares enforcement documentation
Monitors the state’s agricultural products to protect the public health; issues licenses, provides training and technical assistance; enforces applicable rules and regulations
Evaluates environmental health status of the state and prepares relevant reports; performs epidemiological investigations to prevent environmental health and protection incidents
Presents cases of apparent violations and serves as expert witness in formal hearings and courts of law regarding agricultural regulatory requirements
Researches, develops, and assists in the implementation of long term planning for efficient use of the state’s air and water resources; assists in the development of waste reduction practices through recycling and pollution prevention programs; ensures waste disposal practices protect land resources for present and future use
Analyzes industry generated food safety programs including Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), and sanitation standard operating procedures (SSOP)
Conducts tests on weighing and/or measuring devices, blood samples, reagents, compounds, and solutions for compliance with weights and measures, animal diseases, and environmental quality laws and regulations
Monitors and approves temporary and emergency storage; recommends needed statutory or rule changes; administers the Commodity Storage Indemnity fund; coordinates Commodity Credit Corporation required examinations, license suspensions and/or revocations, seizure and salvage of commodities operations following revocation of license; initiates security bond collections