Job Description

Posting number: 26-00044

Department: Agriculture

Job classification: Ag & Standards Inspector I/II/III

Posting type: Open

Categories: Agriculture

Summary

*Filling this position is subject to approval by the Board of Supervisors*

Agriculture & Standards Inspector I

DEFINITION

Under immediate supervision, makes inspections and enforce laws and regulations pertaining to the California Food and Agricultural Code, Business and Professionals Code, and the California Code of Regulation; learns and performs pest regulation and pest prevention; inspects and tests weighing and measuring devices; verifies consumer transactions and product quality; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the first working level in the Agricultural and Standards Inspector series. This class is distinguished from the Agricultural and Standards Inspector II by the attainment of less than four of the eight of the Agricultural Inspector and Weights and Measures licenses offered by the state. Once the incumbent has attained (i) four Agricultural Inspector and Weights and Measures licenses; (ii) substantive knowledge of a Department's procedures and policies, and provided performance is at a satisfactory level, subject to management approval, the incumbent may expect to progress to the next higher level of Agricultural and Standards Inspector II.

REPORTS TO

Higher level management or supervisory staff.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

The classification does not exercise supervision over staff.

Agriculture & Standards Inspector II

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, makes inspections and enforces laws and regulations pertaining to the California Food and Agricultural Code, Business and Professions Code, and the California Code of Regulation; performs pest regulation and pest prevention; inspects and tests weighing and measuring devices; verifies consumer transactions and product quality; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is second working level classification in the Agricultural and Standards Inspector series. Incumbents within this classification are distinguished from the Agricultural and Standards Inspector I by the attainment of four of the eight Agricultural Inspector and Weights and Measures licenses offered by the state. Once the incumbent has attained (i) eight Agricultural Inspector and Weights and Measures licenses; (ii) substantive knowledge of a Department's procedures and policies, and provided performance is at a satisfactory level subject to management approval, the incumbent may expect to progress to the next higher level of Agricultural and Standards Inspector III.

REPORTS TO

Higher level management or supervisory staff.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

The classification does not exercise supervision over staff.

Agriculture & Standards Inspector III

DEFINITION

Under direction, makes inspections and enforces laws and regulations pertaining to the California Food and Agricultural Code, Business and Professions Code, and the California Code of Regulation; performs pest regulation and pest prevention; inspects and tests weighing and measuring devices; verifies consumer transactions and product quality; performs specialized work assignments; provides training for less experienced staff; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Agricultural and Standards Inspector III is the third and full working journey level in the Agricultural and Standards Inspector series. Positions at this level are distinguished from those in the lower classifications of Agricultural and Standards Inspector I and Agricultural and Standards Inspector II in that incumbents in the Agricultural and Standards Inspector III classification are required to possess four of the eight of the offered Agricultural Inspector and Weights and Measures certification licenses and therefore work in all of the fields requiring State licensing for County agricultural and weights and measures inspection and enforcement.

REPORTS TO

Higher level management or supervisory staff.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

The classification does not exercise supervision over staff.

Examples of duties

Agriculture and Standards Inspector I

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.

• Assists with inspections of fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, eggs, or other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses, and storage areas for compliance with regulations related to standards and grades.
• Issues certificates of inspection.
• May order reconditioning or destruction of produce deemed to be below minimum standards.
• Assists with inspection of nurseries for plant pest and diseases.
• Assists with inspection of incoming plan shipments for evidence of disease, pests, or noxious weed seeds.
• Assists with inspection of transported agricultural commodities to ensure that they are free from injurious insects or plant disease.
• Issues pesticide permits and may inspect pesticide application to crops.
• Assists with the inspection of apiaries.
• Assists with the examination of fields, orchards, roadways, and cultivated areas to determine the location and extent of rodent, weed, bird, insect, predator, and plant disease infestations.
• Assists with the control and eradication of plants, weeds, rodents, birds, and other pests.
• May certify or specify the treatment of agricultural products as a condition of movement or shipment.
• Assists with inspecting seeds and seed shipments for noxious weed seeds.
• May operate trucks, spray rigs, and other equipment.
• May assist with applying herbicides for weed and brush control.
• Assists with inspecting, testing, and sealing commercial weighing and measuring devices.
• Assists with weighing, measuring, and counting the contents of packaged commodities to verify the accuracy of labels.
• Assists with inspecting and investigating weighmaster licenses.
• Collects petroleum product samples for testing to ensure stated qualities.
• Investigates complaints related to consumer transactions.
• Prepares records and reports of inspections and tests conducted.
• Takes appropriate enforcement actions.
• Performs needed maintenance on equipment; provides information to growers and home-owners regarding pest problems.
• Assists with gathering information for annual crop reports.
• Performs administrative tasks requiring the use of office automated systems.
• Performs related duties as required.

Agriculture and Standards Inspector II/III

The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all the duties listed.

• Inspects fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, eggs, or other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses, and storage areas for compliance with regulations related to standards and grades.
• Issues certificates of inspection.
• May order reconditioning or destruction of produce deemed to be below minimum standards.
• Inspects nurseries for plant pest and diseases.
• Inspects incoming plan shipments for evidence of disease, pests, or noxious weed seeds.
• Inspects transported agricultural commodities to ensure that they are free from injurious insects or plant disease.
• Issues pesticide permits and may inspect pesticide application to crops.
• Inspects apiaries.
• Examines fields, orchards, roadways, and cultivated areas to determine the location and extent of rodent, weed, bird, insect, predator, and plant disease infestations.
• Controls and eradicates plants, weeds, rodents, birds, and other pests.
• May certify or specify the treatment of agricultural products as a condition of movement or shipment.
• Inspects seeds and seed shipments for noxious weed seeds.
• May operate trucks, spray rigs, and other equipment.
• May apply herbicides for weed and brush control; inspects, tests, and seals commercial weighing and measuring devices.
• Weighs, measures, and counts the contents of packaged commodities to verify the accuracy of labels.
• Inspects and investigates weighmaster licenses.
• Collects petroleum product samples for testing to ensure stated qualities; investigates complaints related to consumer transactions.
• Prepares records and reports of inspections and tests conducted.
• Takes appropriate enforcement actions.
• Performs needed maintenance on equipment.
• Provides information to growers and home-owners regarding pest problems.
• Gathers information for annual crop reports.
• May provide training for less experienced staff.
• Performs administrative tasks requiring the use of office automated systems.
• Performs related duties as required.

Agriculture and Standards Inspector III

• Has responsibility for overseeing assigned programs in the department.

Qualifications

Agriculture and Standards Inspector I

Knowledge of:

• Basic knowledge and understanding of pertinent State and Federal laws and regulations related to the functions of the County Agricultural Commissioner and the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• Proper inspection methods and procedures.
• Statistical testing techniques.
• Common agricultural practices of County crops.
• Common pest control methods.
• Operations, services and activities of an office setting.

Ability to:

• Assist with the interpretation and enforcement of agricultural and weights and measures laws and regulations.
• Perform field inspections and gather a variety of information and data.
• Assist with gathering and maintaining information concerning County crops.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Agriculture and Standards Inspector II

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent State and Federal laws and regulations related to the functions of the County Agricultural Commissioner and the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• Law enforcement powers, procedures, and policies of the County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• Proper inspection methods and procedures.
• Statistical testing techniques.
• Common agricultural practices of County crops.
• Common pest control methods.
• Operations, services and activities of an office setting, including computers and assigned software.

Ability to:

• Interpret and enforce agricultural and weights and measures laws and regulations.
• Impartially perform field inspections and gather a variety of information and data.
• Gather and maintain information concerning County crops.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.
• Work independently.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Agriculture and Standards Inspector III

Knowledge of:

• Pertinent State and Federal laws and regulations related to the functions of the County Agricultural Commissioner and the Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• Law enforcement powers, procedures, and policies of the County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• Proper inspection methods and procedures.
• Statistical testing techniques.
• Treatment and control of plant pests and diseases.
• Agricultural practices of County crops.
• Operations, services and activities of an office setting, including computers and assigned software.

Ability to:

• Interpret and enforce agricultural and weights and measures laws and regulations.
• Impartially perform field inspections and gather a variety of information and data.
• Work independently.
• Provide training for other staff.
• Perform specialized work assignments.
• Gather and maintain information concerning County crops.
• Prepare and maintain records and reports.
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions and policies.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; walk, stand, or crouch on narrow, slippery, and erratically moving surfaces; stoop, kneel, bend to pick up or move heavy objects; crawl through various areas requiring moving on hands and knees; walk for long distances; walk on sloped ground/floor and uneven surfaces; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computers, telephones, calculators, copiers, and fax machine.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is performed both in office and outdoor environments; some exposure to controlled and hazardous substances; some exposure to smoke, gases, and fumes; continuous contact with staff and the public.

Supplemental information

Any combination of training which would likely provide the required knowledge and experience is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Agriculture and Standards Inspector I

Education

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in agriculture or a biological science, or other majors as determined by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

Special Requirements

Ability to obtain Agricultural Inspector's/Biologist registered license issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the area(s) of assignment within the probationary period.

Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Agriculture and Standards Inspector II

Education

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in agriculture or a biological science, or other majors as determined by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

Experience

At least one (1) year of inspection and enforcement experience comparable to that of an Agricultural and Standards Inspector I with Amador County.

Special Requirements

Possession of four County Agricultural Inspector and Weights and Measures licenses.

Possession of an appropriate, current and valid California Driver's License issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.

Agriculture and Standards Inspector III

Education

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a major in agriculture or a biological science, or other majors as determined by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.

Experience

At least two (2) years of inspection and enforcement experience comparable to that of an Agricultural and Standards Inspector II with Amador County.

Special Requirements

Possession of eight County Agricultural Inspector and Weights and Measures licenses.

Possession of an appropriate, current and valid California Driver's License issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles.