Job Information
State of Tennessee Job Information
Opening Date/Time10/27/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time11/09/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$4,098.00Salary (Annually)$49,176.00Job TypeFull-TimeCity, State LocationJefferson City, TNDepartmentAgriculture
LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, JEFFERSON COUNTY
This position is within the Consumer & Industry Services Division. Please include a copy of your transcripts.
Qualifications
Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in a biological science and experience equivalent to two years of full-time professional apiary inspection, beekeeping, or closely related work.
Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time professional experience in apiary inspection, beekeeping, or a closely related field may be substituted for the required education, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of four years.
Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional graduate coursework in a biological science may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year.
Overview
Under general supervision, is responsible for supervisory and administrative work of average difficulty in planning and administering statewide inspection and enforcement activity related to apiarian laws and regulations; and performs related work as required.
An employee in this class administers the statewide apiarian inspection and enforcement program.
Responsibilities
- Inspects apiaries for proper beekeeping practices and presence of disease to ensure the quality and safety of honey to be sold for commercial and private use; issues appropriate health certificates or quarantine orders; prepares written reports on inspections and their findings.
- Develops and recommends rules, regulations, policy and procedures for the apiary section.
- Develops and administers the Beekeeper Certification program for Tennessee beekeepers; trains and certifies apiary inspectors for public and private operations.
- Plans and participates in registration and mapping of apiaries; issues permits for movement of bees into the State of Tennessee and advises apiarists on requirements for moving bees into other states.
- Instructs apiary owners and operators in proper procedures and safety measures to use to eradicate bee diseases from the hive; assists in the fumigation process through use of a variety of methods and equipment, such as fumigation chambers, smokers, chemicals, gloves, and veils.
- Conducts workshops on beekeeping practices and potential problems; provides interested persons with educational materials on the subject; may answer correspondence concerning beekeeping procedures.
- Manages the apiary budget; prepares and maintains weekly inspection, activity, and expense reports.
- Writes articles for publications; supervises the publishing of a pollinator directory; serves as chairman of the Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee.
- Conducts research projects on honeybees concerning chemicals and other methods of helping protect honeybees from disease, pests, and other threats that could seriously reduce the availability of honeybee pollinators.
- Participates in pest control and eradication procedures such as aerial sprayings or emplacing insect trappings.
Competencies (KSA's)
Competencies:
- Interpersonal Savvy
- Customer Focus
- Instills Trust
- Collaborates
- Resourcefulness
Knowledge:
- Biology
- Communications and Media
- Law and Government
Skills:
- Complex Problem Solving
- Time Management
- Science
- Speaking
- Instructing
Abilities:
- Multilimbed Strength
- Multilimbed Coordination
- Visual Color Discrimination
- Depth Perception
- Problem Sensitivity
Tools & Equipment
- Office Equipment
- Protective Clothing
- Multi-Purpose Tools
TN Driver Standards
State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:
- A valid driver's license
- For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.
Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.
Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.