Ag and Standards Inspector I/II/III

Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. 

Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.

• Conducts field surveys and inspections in areas applicable to the Agricultural Commissioner- Sealer Office including pesticide regulation, investigation and environmental monitoring; integrated pest management; commodity regulation; pest prevention and plant regulation; weight verification; measurement verification; and transactions and product verification; examines various agricultural products at point of origin or at markets for compliance with standards; issues violation notices indicating required reconditioning and reinspects for compliance.
• Investigates and determines commodity fitness and recommends remedial measures used in regulation of agricultural industry, such as suggestions or reprimands, issuing certificates of compliance or notice of non-compliance, ordering reconditioning or destruction of commodities, office hearings or issuing citations.
• Disseminates agricultural and weights and measures policies, legal requirements, and information; advises and serves the general public, community groups, government agencies and private industry on agricultural and weights and measures problems and concerns.
• Conducts studies and reports such as annual crop statistics, pesticide illness investigations, statistical sampling surveys, follow-up inspections and investigation of complaints and violations.
• Examines plant materials in nurseries for insect pests, plant diseases, and noxious weeds; notes findings and control procedures, or plant destruction as required; examines retail nursery stock for labeling.
• Surveys fields, orchards, gardens, and mills to locate pests; inspects range and farmland, roadsides, warehouses, and farm buildings to ascertain the degree and extent of rodent infestation.
• Develops and sends surveys to locate infestations of noxious or poisonous weeds; assists in field surveys to determine the presence of insect pests, plant diseases or parasites.
• Inspects apiaries and equipment for evidence of disease, and issues inspection certificates and permits for removal of apiaries as required; and directs appropriate disease control measures. 
• Responds to and investigates inquiries from the public; investigates complaints and prepares an appropriate response.
• Performs pesticide monitoring inspections for pre-application, application, and field worker safety; inspects equipment and storage facilities, and reviews records maintained.
• Inspects plant material and agricultural products held by common carriers for insect pests, plant disease, weeds, or weed seeds, and for compliance with pertinent quarantine regulations; issues certificates for approved material or indicates pest or disease found and recommends proper control methods.
• Processes requests for restricted materials permits; issues grower and site identification numbers; conducts appropriate inspections and prepares reports.
• Inspects petroleum dispensing, electric, and vapor meters; livestock, vehicular, hopper, and small retail scales; linear measuring devices; and a variety of other weighing and measuring devices for adherence to state and federal laws, regulations, and specifications.
• Checks packaged commodities for quantity control violations; inspects service stations for compliance with petroleum labeling laws and takes samples as required; performs weigh master inspections and audits of records.
• Pursues enforcement actions when violations of agriculture or weight and measure regulations are suspected; gathers and assembles evidence; prepares written reports; presents evidence and assists in the preparation of cases in court or in administrative hearings.
• Issues notices of violation and follows up on cases to ensure resolution; assists in preparing cases for prosecution and provides court testimony as required.
• Surveys and gathers various types of data and statistical information necessary to complete monthly and annual reports to the state and other appropriate agencies.
• Provides lead supervision to subordinate inspection personnel in the field as assigned.
• Represents the department at meetings with representatives of governmental agencies; professional, business, and community organizations; and the public; and attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of agriculture and weight and measures.
• Participates in public education efforts by giving presentations to various business, civic and community groups; and conducts appropriate training sessions.
• Provides training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Requirements are based on the California Department of Food and Agriculture. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education: 

• Agricultural and Standards Inspector I:Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, biological, chemical, or physical science; OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in any of the following disciplines: agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics as accepted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture; OR Experience in one or more of the following may be substituted for up to two (2) years of the required education on a year-for-year basis: (1) enforcement of weights and measures or agricultural laws; (2) the inspection, maintenance, repair or installation of weighing or measuring instruments or equipment; (3) consumer protection or resolution of consumer complaints in a public or private consumer affairs agency; (4) law enforcement or investigation work in a federal, state or local jurisdiction; (5) responsible quality or quantity control work in the production of consumer commodities at a level comparable to that of a county weights and measure inspector or agricultural inspector/biologist.

• Agricultural and Standards Inspector II/III: Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, biological, chemical, or physical science; OR Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in any of the following disciplines: agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics as accepted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

NOTE: Candidates must meet the legal requirements of California Food and Agriculture Code 2123 (2102/2103 for inspectors) and the Business and Professions Code 12203. Possession of the required licenses may be considered equivalent to the required semester units identified above. 

Experience: 

• Agricultural and Standards Inspector I: None required.
• Agricultural and Standards Inspector II: One (1) year of experience at a level equivalent to an Agricultural and Standards Inspector I with Kings County.
• Agricultural and Standards Inspector III: One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience at a level equivalent to an Agricultural and Standards Inspector II with Kings County.

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
• Certain positions within this classification may require possession of a valid California Class A or B Commercial driver’s license to be maintained throughout employment.   
• Agricultural and Standards Inspector I:Possession of, or ability to obtain, at least one (1) valid license issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture listed for a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector to be obtained within one (1) year (2080 hours)of employment.   
• Agricultural and Standards Inspector II: Possession of five (5) valid licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture listed for a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and County Weights and Measures Inspector, which must include three (3) of the five (5) licenses in this series in Pesticide Regulation, Pest Prevention/Plant Regulation, and Weight Verification; OR, Weight Verification, Measurement Verification, and Transaction/Production Verification; AND, possession of Authorized Certification Officials (ACO) license

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check. Ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and mandatory overtime as assigned and travel within and outside the County. Depending on the operational needs of the department, incumbents may be required to handle and discharge firearms necessary for control of wildlife. 

Candidates receiving a conditional offer of employment are required to submit to pre-employment drug testing before employment can be confirmed. Incumbents may be required to submit to ongoing drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment.

Salary : $33 - $41