Agriculture & Standards Investigator I/II

County of Shasta • Redding, CA

12d • Onsite

About The Position

Shasta County is recruiting for an Agriculture & Standards Investigator I or II in the Agricultural Commissioner / Sealer of Weights and Measures Department. The department enforces California agricultural, weights and measures, pesticide, and related laws and regulations. Its programs include pesticide-use enforcement, pest exclusion and detection, nursery and seed inspection, commodity quality control, apiary services, and inspection of commercial measuring devices and packaged commodities.

Investigator I is an entry-level, closely supervised role in which the employee learns to conduct agricultural and weights and measures inspections. With experience, the employee may receive limited program assignments or special projects. Investigator II performs inspections and investigations in assigned agricultural and/or weights and measures program areas under general supervision, with increasing responsibility for independent work.

The role includes field inspections and testing, investigations, regulatory enforcement, recordkeeping, reporting, and advising individuals, businesses, and public agencies on compliance. Work involves regular outdoor conditions and field settings, including rough or irregular terrain, and may involve mechanical equipment, chemicals, fumes, and temperature extremes. The position requires a valid California driver’s license; the Commissioner/Sealer may require a specific California commercial driver’s license. Specific agricultural biologist and/or weights and measures licenses may be designated according to departmental needs. Investigator I employees without a valid license must obtain one County Agriculture Inspector/Biologist license within one year of appointment.

Minimum qualifications differ by level. Investigator I requires either a relevant bachelor’s degree or one or more valid Agricultural Biologist licenses. Investigator II requires a relevant bachelor’s degree unless an Agricultural Biologist License was issued before 1995, two years of equivalent Investigator I experience with Shasta County, and at least five valid Agricultural Biologist and/or Weights and Measures licenses. The position is in the UPEC Professionals bargaining unit and covered by CalPERS. The listed approximate monthly salary ranges are $4,393–$5,607 for Investigator I and $4,844–$6,183 for Investigator II. The final application filing deadline is November 16, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; an oral examination is tentatively scheduled for November 2026.

Requirements

• Investigator I: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in an appropriate agricultural, biological, or physical science discipline, or one or more valid Agricultural Biologist licenses.
• Investigator II: Relevant bachelor’s degree, unless an Agricultural Biologist License was issued before 1995; two years of experience equivalent to an Agricultural and Standards Investigator I with Shasta County; and a combination of at least five valid Agricultural Biologist and/or Weights and Measures licenses.
• Possession of a valid California driver’s license.
• Investigator I employees who do not possess a valid license must obtain one County Agriculture Inspector/Biologist license within one year of appointment.
• Knowledge of agricultural, biological, or physical science principles for Investigator I; Investigator II requires knowledge of applicable agricultural and weights and measures laws, pesticide regulations, pest and disease controls, enforcement responsibilities, relevant computer programs, measuring-device operations, and statistical sampling methods.
• Ability to conduct or learn to conduct inspections and investigations; interpret and enforce applicable laws and regulations; prepare detailed reports and maintain accurate records; communicate effectively; read and understand maps; follow directions; identify and address unsafe work practices; and establish cooperative working relationships.
• Investigator II must be able to inspect, test, and seal commercial weighing and measuring equipment and make public presentations.

Responsibilities

• Inspect agricultural commodities, crops, growing grounds, markets, packing houses, storage areas, nurseries, and apiaries for quality, pests, and regulatory compliance.
• Inspect, sample, and regulate seed sales; inspect nursery stock harvesting, cleaning, processing, packing, and labeling; and supervise nursery soil fumigations at the Investigator II level.
• Inspect incoming plant, tree, and seed shipments for pests, diseases, noxious weeds, and quarantine compliance.
• Conduct pesticide-use inspections and permitting activities; evaluate permit applications, administer applicator certificate exams, and investigate human or environmental pesticide exposure at the Investigator II level.
• Participate in programs to detect, eradicate, and manage noxious weeds and other plant, insect, and vertebrate pests.
• Inspect, test, and, at Investigator II level, seal commercial weighing, measuring, and counting devices; inspect packaged goods for labeling and net-content compliance and verify bulk material volume.
• Investigate complaints and potential violations; issue notices, citations, inspection reports, and other compliance documents, including cease-and-desist orders at the Investigator II level.
• Compile and analyze data, prepare investigative and technical reports, and maintain accurate inspection and testing records.
• Perform laboratory tests and maintain laboratory and field equipment at the Investigator II level.
• Advise and instruct individuals, businesses, and public agencies on preventing and correcting regulatory compliance problems.
• At the Investigator II level, plan and conduct training, continuing-education classes, and informational programs; prepare cases for administrative action or prosecution and testify in court as an expert witness.

Benefits

• CalPERS retirement program, with applicable retirement formula determined under PEPRA and other laws.
• Merit-based salary step increases, subject to satisfactory service and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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