Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

County of Mendocino • Ukiah, CA

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur. Under general administrative direction, assists in planning, organization, supervision, coordination and evaluation of assigned agricultural and weights and measures programs, projects, and operations. Conducts investigations and inspections to enforce federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances related to the Agriculture Department. Provides departmental support to the Agriculture Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in departmental operations, budgeting, reporting, regulatory compliance, and special projects. Manager Academy is mandatory for all managers and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in Agriculture Science, Biology, Chemical Science, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering or related field.
• Three (3) years of increasingly responsible agricultural or weights and measures inspection and enforcement work including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity.
• Valid Driver’s License
• Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner OR Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures License
• Pesticide Regulation License
• Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation License
• Weight Verification License
• Investigation and Environmental Monitoring License
• Integrated Pest Management License
• Commodity Regulation License
• Measurement Verification License
• Transaction and Product Verification License
• Possession of an Authorized Certification Official (ACO) certificate or must obtain within 6 months of appointment.
• Within two (2) years, possession of both Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner AND Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures License must be obtained.
• Knowledge of all applicable federal, state, county, and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations, including the California Food and Agricultural Code, California Business and Professions Code, California Code of Regulations, and California Department of Pesticide Regulation requirements.
• Knowledge of budgetary principles and practices.
• Knowledge of administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation.
• Knowledge of administration of staff and activities, either directly or through subordinate supervision.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis, and report presentation.
• Knowledge of identification of crops, vertebrate pests, basic insects, plants, and trees; treating and controlling plant pests and diseases.
• Knowledge of construction, mechanics, and operation of scales, gasoline meters, and other weighing and measuring devices.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques relevant to weights and measures investigation and enforcement.
• Knowledge of all computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Knowledge of legislative processes and criminal, civil and administrative penalties.
• Skill in using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Skill in researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Skill in organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Skill in applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Skill in communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Skill in maintaining accurate records of work performed and findings.
• Skill in planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff; training staff in program policies, regulations, and work procedures.
• Skill in selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development.
• Skill in preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials.
• Skill in presenting technical information clearly, concisely and in an interesting manner to technical committees, public officials, and the general public.
• Ability to effectively deal with the individuals, general public and the media in stressful situations.
• Ability to speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Ability to interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to enforce the laws in a fair and impartial manner.
• Ability to identify many different plants, animals, insects, and diseases.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to resolve issues or concerns involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Nice To Haves

• Manager Academy is mandatory for all managers and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Responsibilities

• Plan, assign, direct, coordinate, review, and evaluate the work of assigned staff; establish priorities and goals; provide ongoing staff training; participate in employee selection, promotion, and disciplinary actions.
• Assist with administrative operations, program coordination, regulatory compliance activities, and implementation of departmental initiatives.
• Participate in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, operational plans, and work practices; monitor work activities to ensure effectiveness and compliance with legal requirements; develop work processes, job standards, and safety measures.
• Assist in monitoring departmental budgets, tracking expenditures, preparing supporting documentation, and coordinating administrative reports.
• Coordinate with state agencies, county departments, agriculture organizations, and regulatory entities regarding assigned programs and departmental activities.
• Assist in the preparation of resolutions for Board of Supervisors' consideration; serves as departmental representative in connection with statutory requirements for notice, publications, and other official action of the department.
• Answer questions and provide information and assistance to the public, private industry, government agencies, and community groups; make oral and written presentations to various groups and organizations.
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints; investigate complaints and confer with department management concerning the resolution of citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Gather and compile data, prepare departmental reports, including the annual crop and livestock report; and interpret and explain laws, rules and regulations to staff, other agencies, and the public
• Operate county vehicle to conduct agricultural and weights and measures field inspections; monitor pesticide applications for compliance with applicable laws and regulations; investigate pesticide illnesses, collect samples for residue testing, and initiate enforcement actions when necessary.
• Participate in the development and administration of budgets for assigned programs and preparing program invoices; participate in forecasting funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; ensure that program expenditures and cost estimates are adequately documented and monitored; review and approve program expenditures and implement adjustments.
• Prepare, review, analyze, supervise and finalize technical reports, inspection reports, memoranda of understanding (MOU), contracts, certifications, public records requests, statistical reports, evidence documentation, special studies and related materials.
• May represent the County at local and state meeting conferences; confer with state and federal personnel and staff from other County Departments of Agriculture to discuss and keep informed on pertinent issues, as well as to coordinate activities.
• Evaluate and issue Restricted Pesticide Permits, Grower Identification Number (Operator ID) and Site Numbers; ensure pesticide use enforcement; train growers and licensees in pesticide use laws and regulations; assist with field inspections and apply applicable laws and regulations; take appropriate enforcement measures as needed.
• Perform inspections of incoming out-of-state plant shipments at terminals and ensures weighing and measuring devices meet accuracy standards, proper usage requirements, and state registration compliance.
• May perform special assignments and represent the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in their absence, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Manager Academy is mandatory for all managers and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

What This Job Offers

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