Ag Biologist/Standards Inspector IV

Introduction

This examination is being given to fill 1 vacancy in the Agricultural Commissioners Office and to establish an eligible list that may be used to fill future vacancies. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

NOTE: All correspondences relating to this recruitment will be delivered via e-mail. The e-mail account used will be the one provided on your employment application during time of submittal. Please be sure to check your e-mail often for updates. If you do not have an e-mail account on file Human Resources will send you correspondences via US Mail.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening and Background

Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen and successfully completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

The following incentives and bonuses may be available for eligible new hires.

Incentives and bonuses are subject to approval by Human Resources.

Vacation Accrual Rate San Joaquin County vacation accrual rate consistent with the candidates total years of public service.

Sick Leave Candidates leaving other employment may receive credit for actual non-reimbursable sick leave hours up to 160 hours from their last agency. Hours shall be subject to San Joaquin Countys minimum sick leave cash out provisions.

New Hire Retention Bonus

• $2000 upon completion of first year equivalent employment (2080 hours)
• $1000 upon completion of third year equivalent employment (6240 hours)
• $3000 upon completion of sixth year equivalent employment (12480 hours)

Typical Duties

Agricultural Inspection

• Supervises and participates in the inspection of a wide variety of items for compliance with plant quarantine regulations
• Determines and enforces the appropriate disposition of inspected items that do not conform to regulations
• Supervises and participates in the inspection of a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to ensure compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality
• Inspects product samples, issues certificates of inspection, and restricts sale and movement of sub-standard items
• Conducts surveys for pests not known to occur in this area and carries out eradication programs against introduced pests
• Inspects nurseries for pest cleanliness and compliance with minimum standards
• Inspects apiaries and abates diseased hives when necessary
• Identifies and controls pests to protect crops and to determine and recommend the most efficient control measures
• Explains the use of pesticides and other pest-control materials
• Conducts surveys if necessary, conducts experiments to determine effectiveness of various control measures
• Enforces pesticide regulations to ensure safety of handlers, field workers, public crops, and the environment
• Investigates complaints of damage from pesticide use and investigates pesticide-related illnesses
• Collects and prepares samples for laboratory analysis
• Assists in providing training and educational outreach to growers on pesticide safety and regulations
• Advises the general public on agriculture-related matters and identifies plants, diseases, insects, and pests
• Explains the requirements of inter- or intra-state or country movement of plants and other agricultural produce
• Participates in legal actions against growers, packers, shippers, farm workers, or others who do not comply with Food and Agriculture Code and subsequent regulations
• Participates in informal office hearings, collects and reports evidence of violations

Weights and Measures Inspection

• Supervises and participates in the inspection and testing of the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices for compliance with established tolerances
• Condemns the use of commercial weighing and measuring devices not meeting required standards
• Issues and attaches seals to devices that meet required standards
• Measures the capacity of large tanks
• Conducts tests of meters used for registering dispensing of liquids such as gasoline, oil, and grease
• Places "out of order" tags on meters if defective and re-inspects meters after repair to ensure that meter is correct
• Affixes seal as appropriate
• Inspects packaged commodities, other goods, and petroleum products for accuracy of weight or measure, correct labeling, and adherence to required specifications
• Verifies box tares at canneries and processing plants
• Performs investigations of suspected illegal acts or unlawful practices concerning commercial weights and measures and collects available evidence
• Contacts and questions complainants and witnesses, provides information concerning cases for further legal or administrative action
• Verifies Weighmasters licenses and determines whether certificates of weight are being issued correctly

Plans

• Assigns and evaluates inspector workloads
• Evaluates projected workload, equipment, and supplies to determine budgetary needs and staffing levels
• Provides training to lower-level inspection staff in specialized programs
• Directs, coordinates, and participates in the gathering of information and the preparation of inspection and investigative reports, the compiling and maintenance of records, and the preparation of statistical reports

Minimum Qualifications

Experience

• Four (4) years of full-time experience working as a state-licensed County agricultural Inspector, Biologist, or County Weights and Measures Inspector
• One (1) year of experience at a level equivalent to an Agricultural Biologist, Standards Inspector III in San Joaquin County service

License

• Possession of a valid California drivers license
• Depending on the nature of assignment, may be required to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Drivers License

Special Requirements

• At the time of appointment, must possess valid licenses in all eight (8) statewide specific categories as a County Agricultural Inspector, Biologist, and County Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture
• These are identified as follows: a. Pesticide Regulation b. Investigation and Environmental Monitoring c. Weights Verification d. Measures Verification e. Integrated Pest Management f. Commodity Regulation g. Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation h. Transaction and Product Verification

Substitution

• Possession of a valid license as a Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner or Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture may substitute for one year of the general non-equivalent Agricultural Biologist, Standards Inspector III years of experience

Note: This requirement shall be waived for individuals employed within the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner in the San Joaquin County class of Agricultural Biologist, Standards Inspector IV upon implementation of classification study 24-004 by the Civil Service Commission

Knowledge

• Principles and practices of supervision and training
• Principles and practices of agriculture, including crops, soils, equipment, and related items
• Principles and practices of horticulture, plant pathology, and entomology
• Common pest, vertebrates, insects, weeds, and other agricultural pests
• Common pesticides, traps, baits, and other pest control measures
• The laws, rules, and regulations relating to the use of commercial weighing and measuring devices
• Methods and techniques used in verifying the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices within allowed tolerances
• Basic mathematics, basic experimentation procedures, including sampling, testing, control methods, and data collection
• Basic public relations, report writing practices

Ability

• Plan, organize, and administer field inspection operations
• Supervise, evaluate, and train staff
• Read, understand, and interpret job-related material, including technical and legal publications
• Enforce laws, regulations, and guidelines firmly, tactfully, and impartially
• Make decisions on enforcement problems in accordance with established policies and procedures
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with those encountered during the course of work, including the public
• Prepare clear and concise reports
• Use and maintain various testing instruments and devices used in the weights and measures field
• Proficiently use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point computer programs

Physical and Mental Requirements

Mobility - Occasional operation of keyboards, sitting or standing for extended periods, climbing stairs or ladders, running or crawling, frequent walking, driving, pushing, pulling, and bending, squatting Lifting - Frequent lifting of 5 to 25 pounds, occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds Vision - Excellent overall vision, including good color and depth perception, with constant eye-hand coordination, frequent reading and close-up work Dexterity - Normal dexterity with constant holding, frequent reaching, grasping, repetitive motion, and writing Hearing - Constant hearing, normal speech, frequent hearing and talking on the telephone, radio, and in person, occasional hearing faint sounds Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration, with frequent public contact and decision-making, frequent exposure to hazardous materials, and occasional exposure to emergency situations and heights Special Conditions - Frequent exposure to outdoor conditions, may require frequent overtime, weekend, or evening work, and working alone

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and upon request will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. For more information, go to www.sjgov.org/department/hreo.

Benefits

Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021.

Health Insurance

San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.

Dental Insurance

The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care