Job Description

Posting number: 26.344

Department: Agriculture

Job classification: Agricultural/Measurement Standards Specialist I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Agriculture, Miscellaneous

Summary

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. The current vacancy is in Ukiah, CA.

Under direct supervision, inspects and enforces laws and regulations contained in the Food and Agricultural Code and Business and Professions Code; performs work related to the protection of agricultural commodities and the public in regard to measurement standards; enforces consumer protection laws; investigates for the prosecution of violators.

Bilingual English/Spanish encouraged to apply. Se buscan personas bilingües en inglés y español. Para recibir una solicitud en español, llame a Recursos Humanos al 234-6600.

Examples of duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following and are dependent upon license/s held by incumbent:

• Inspects plant, fruit and cut flower parcels at parcel terminals for quarantine compliance.
• Inspects agricultural pesticide applications including mix/load activities.
• Inspects pest control businesses for pesticide application including mix/load activities.
• Registers pest control advisors, pest control businesses, maintenance gardeners, structural pest control businesses, and farm labor contractors.
• Investigates pesticide drift complaints and pesticide illness cases.
• Writes detailed investigative reports.
• Answers general agricultural and consumer questions for the general public.
• Identifies plants and insects brought in by the public and/or sends to state lab for identification.
• Issues pesticide permits to growers.
• Surveys county roads for noxious weeds; applies pesticides to noxious weed sites in the county; hand pulls and/or digs noxious weeds.
• Surveys lakes and bodies of water for noxious water weed(s).
• Issues new CPCs yearly; updates, prints new forms and receives payments.
• Registers Certified Farmer's Markets and receives payments.
• Conducts testing and sealing of weighing and measuring devices.
• Conducts testing and sealing of fuel pumps; inspects fuel station labeling, quantity control and price verification.
• Conducts shelled egg, fruit, and vegetable inspections.
• Conducts grower education classes for pesticide use.
• Registers organic growers for state registration.
• Inspects nurseries for County compliance; issues nursery licenses.
• Issues phytosanitary certificates.
• Inspects organic producers for compliance with regulations.
• Maintains records of inspections.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:

All applicants must meet eligibility requirements for examination/license pursuant to California Department of Food and Agricultural (CDFA) Code Division 2 Chapter 2 Sections 2102 and 2106.

2106. (excerpted) No person shall be eligible for the examination or shall be given or issued a license pursuant to Section 2101, 2102, or 2103 unless he or she possesses a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines, as determined by the secretary. This section shall not apply to any person holding a valid license of qualification in weights and measures who was employed by a county agricultural commissioner or sealer in a permanent classification before January 1, 1995, and who possesses at least one license in an agricultural category no later than December 31, 1996.

Education and Experience

Qualifying education is subject to approval by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture. Applicants qualifying under method (2) or (3) below must submit copies of qualifying degree and/or college transcripts and/or verification of eligibility issued by the CDFA.

1) Possession of one (1) or more valid statewide specific category licenses as County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist as issued by the CDFA; or

2) Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines: agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences; or

3) Bachelor's degree in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following sciences: agricultural, biological, chemical, physical science, mathematics, or statistics.

Requires one (1) of the following licenses issued by CDFA within 12 months of hire: Pesticide Regulation, Investigation and Environmental Monitoring, Integrated Pest Management, Commodity Regulation, Measurement Verification, Pest Prevention and Plant Regulations, Weight Verification, or Transaction and Product Verification.

No previous related work experience is required.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid driver's license (depending upon assignment may require Class B driver's license)

Valid license as listed above issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

Current Forklift Operator's Certification prior to the operation of forklift

Incumbents must possess and maintain, or obtain and maintain, all licenses, certifications, registrations, and/or other requirements identified in the minimum qualifications, as applicable, and within the timeframes specified. These requirements are conditions of continued employment and minimum qualifications for the position. Failure to possess, obtain, or maintain any required license, certification, registration, or other requirement within the specified timeframe may result in rejection during the probationary period, or disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• All applicable state, county, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules and regulations.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Insects, plants, and weeds.
• Pesticides and their uses.
• Agricultural crops grown within the County.

Skill in:

• Using tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks, understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written materials.
• Public relations.

Mental and Physical Ability to:

• Obtain required licensure within 12 months of hire.
• Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations.
• Speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.
• While performing the essential functions of this job the incumbent is frequently required to sit, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, speak and hear, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Supplemental information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this classification, please submit unofficial transcripts with your application. Applicants who completed their education outside of the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must provide an education evaluation. The education evaluation must state the number of units to which foreign coursework is equal. Foreign education evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org. This education evaluation is the responsibility of the applicant and must be submitted with the application.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an application appraisal exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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