Description
PESTICIDE REGISTRATION SPECIALIST
Salary Information: B19, $4,500.00/MO.
State Classification: 1572 – Program Specialist III
FLSA Status: Exempt
Posting Number: 25-58554-1
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit.
WHO ARE WE
The Texas Department of Agriculture has regulatory and marketing responsibilities and administers more than 50 separate laws. Current duties include promoting Texas agricultural products locally, nationally and internationally; assisting in the development of the agribusiness industry in Texas; regulating the sale, use and disposal of pesticides and herbicides; controlling destructive plant pests and diseases; and ensuring the accuracy of all weighing or measuring devices (like grocery scales) used in commercial transactions.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Pesticide Registration Specialist will conduct complex consultative and technical assistance work for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA). Research, technical review, and quality assurance/consultative work implementing efficient procedures and processes within the Agriculture and Consumer Protection (ACP) division which contribute to efficient pesticide product registration and effective product registrant customer support. You will provide technical expertise to TDA staff and the public. You will work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
Register Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Sections 3 pesticide products in Texas by conducting technical review of product labels for required label components, safety, and accuracy of information; and assuring product certification requirements are met by the registrants, using TDA’s database and respond to applicant’s requests for information on resolving issues that will allow registration applications to be approved and processed.
Review and update the maintenance of Accepted Labels State Tracking and Repository (ALSTAR) label repository, including the acceptance of labels, training of pesticide registration staff, etc.
Assist the Program Coordinator with reviewing and processing FIFRA Section 2(ee), and other special registration applications such as Section 18 Emergency Exemptions, Special Local Needs 24(c), Experimental Use Permits, etc. for required label components and accuracy as needed.
Review and assist with revising and maintaining procedures in pesticide product registration in TDA in accordance with federal and state laws and requirements including Section 3 and special registrations. Recommend revisions or improvements as needed.
Prepare and provide recommendations to the ACP staff on modifications to existing forms or procedures.
Perform analysis of product registration status as needed and develop reports and adopt necessary actions to rectify any pending work.
Act as a custodian of all product files and labels; provide enforcement staff and pesticide inspectors in the field with copies of labels needed for incident investigations.
Conduct technical review of Revised and Supplemental labels.
Develop, revise, and maintain pesticide product registration procedures including Section 3 and special registrations in accordance with federal and state laws and requirements. Recommend revisions or improvements as needed.
Studies and analyzes operations and problems, prepares reports of findings and recommendations, and prepares justifications for procedural or policy changes.
Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION
Bachelor’s degree (one year of work experience related to the primary responsibilities may substitute for one year of college).
Two (2) years of work experience in a technical program related to agriculture, consumer protection or environmental protection OR experience conducting inspections for TDA.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience working with BRIDGE system, a tracking system or other product registration database.
Work experience providing technical assistance in agriculture or environmental laws, rules and regulations.
Experience with basic agronomic, horticultural or entomological principles and practices.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws related to the program area; of technical review practices and procedures; and of quality assurance practices and procedures and research techniques.
Skill in providing excellent customer service to both internal and external customers; in operating a personal computer with applicable software; in accurate data entry and database maintenance; and in critical thinking.
Ability to learn and interpret federal and state requirements, laws and regulations on pesticides; to gather, assemble, correlate and analyze data; prepare concise technical reports; to interpret statistical analyses; and to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
This position will work in a normal office work environment and may have exposure to dust and environmental allergens consistent with normal business activities and human contact. Mostly sedentary in nature but may involve walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; performing tasks requiring fine motor skills and coordination; and safely lifting and carrying items weighing up to 30 pounds. Must be able work extended periods at a computer and may require working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed. May involve travel (up to 5%), occasionally overnight.
TELEWORK & WORK HOURS
TDA has a telework policy that will allow eligible positions to telework up to two (2) days per week after completing six (6) months of employment with the agency. The employee must meet eligibility criteria set forth in the Telework Policy.
H-1B Visa Sponsorship
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.
BENEFITS
The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:
ü Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees
ü Dependent Optional Life Insurance
ü Voluntary AD&D Insurance
ü Dependent Health & Life Insurance
ü Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center, you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
- A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day
Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity. TDA provides accommodations for persons with disabilities in accordance with the American with Disabilities Act. If you need help with the employment process or require other accommodations, please contact the Human Resources office for assistance at (512) 463-7423.
TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.
Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.
Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at MOS Program Management Codes.
