Job Description

Posting number: 2026-03857

Department: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Job classification: AGRICULTURIST 3

Posting type: Open Competitive

Categories: Agriculture

Summary

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), Division of Plant Health and Compliance, is seeking to fill one vacant position of Senior Agriculturist, in the Las Vegas office. This is incumbent will work under the general direction of the pest control program manager (Agriculturist Supervisor) in the Nevada Department of Agriculture, Las Vegas office. Responsibilities include inspecting pest control applicators at their office/warehouse and in the field according to neutral scheme inspection schedules and protocol; work with companies and applicators to correct non-compliance issues with applicable codes; investigating verified complaints from the public as to possible violations of pesticide statutes and code; inspections of restricted use pesticide (RUP) dealers for compliance with federal and state statute and code; inspect fumigation sites as needed; refers all potential violations to the program manager for possible enforcement actions; and assists with managing the Nevada pest control licensing program with the assistance of an Administrative Assistant II. The incumbent will maintain the state pest control licensing database, along with licensing and enforcement records. The incumbent works with private industry to correct non-compliance issues and provide pest control licensing data and information related to pest control licensing processes and records for use in ongoing software development.

Agriculturists perform a variety of inspections and enforcement duties related to regulated agricultural programs.

Examples of duties

Three or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties and graduation from high school or equivalent education.

Qualifications

1. Perform technical inspection and enforcement duties related to agricultural programs in a limited capacity.
2. Perform seed testing by weighing, separating, and classifying samples received.
3. Perform seed certification, determine eligibility, inspect fields and issue reports.
4. Examine pesticide labels for methods, rates of application, and dilution rates.
5. Collect and package samples for laboratory analysis, investigate complaints, and issue notices of violations.
6. Review forms and reports, statistical data, and determine inspection quotas.
7. Prepare inspection reports.
8. Participate in weed surveys, identification, and control programs.
9. Identify and report infestations of noxious weeds, mix herbicides, identify specimens submitted, record data, and recommend control procedures.
10. Inspect commercial feeds and gather, examine and/or package samples for analysis.
11. Perform shipping point and conditional inspections of agricultural commodities.
12. Inspect retail outlets, wholesalers, and agricultural facilities.
13. Conduct outreach related to various agricultural topics and regulations including but not limited to native seed and noxious weeds.
14. Enforce federal and State laws and regulations related to mixing, use, disposal, sale, and distribution of pesticides and/or fertilizers by licensed and certified applicators, public applicators, retail outlets or user locations.
15. Perform a broad range of duties relating to the agricultural programs’ inspection and enforcement.
16. Prepare informational and regulatory bulletins.
17. Issue seed movement permits and create certification standards for new crops.
18. Evaluate pest control firms, process applications, issue licenses, and review reports.
19. Investigate complaints related to pest control.
20. Administer licensing programs for commercial pest control firms, operators, and restricted-use certification.
21. Provide education on various agricultural topics and regulations including but not limited to noxious weeds, seed certification, produce safety, pest control, plant disease diagnostics.
22. Maintain data, prepare reports, monitor budgets to assist in the administration of contracts, grants, and purchasing and budget preparation.
23. Perform various laboratory diagnostic procedures using laboratory instruments and prepare related reports
24. Monitor and calibrate laboratory equipment, monitor supplies, maintain microbiological cultures.
25. Plan, organize, and implement agricultural programs.
26. Coordinate pesticide applicator education and regulate safe pesticide use.
27. Administer or participate in the pest control program, seed certification program, nursery licensing and inspection program.
28. May train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate the performance of employees, and other supervisory duties as appropriate for managing people.
29. Perform related duties as assigned.

Supplemental information

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Knowledge of:

• Quarantined or serious pest insects, weeds and diseases.
• Pesticides, fertilizers, agricultural minerals, seed, and feeds; vertebrate pests and their habit.
• Standards for agricultural products and inspection techniques; pesticide enforcement programs.
• Current plant quarantines of other states and countries.

Ability to:

• Prepare analytical, narrative, and statistical reports.
• Prepare and make presentations to regulated community.

Recruiter information: Alan Carino - acarino@admin.nv.gov