PLANT INSPECTOR 2* - 09012026-80609

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time09/01/2026 12:00AM Central TimeClosing Date/Time09/14/2026 11:59PM Central TimeSalary (Monthly)$3,631.00Salary (Annually)$43,572.00Job TypeFull-TimeCity, State LocationSmithville, TNDepartmentAgriculture

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DEKALB COUNTY

This position is with Plant Certification and is located in DeKalb County.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, or other related plant sciences field and experience equivalent to two years of full-time work in one or a combination of the following: (1) the development or enforcement of regulations which deal with the production or distribution of horticultural/agricultural plants or the application of commercial pesticides, or (2) the production and distribution, or scientific study of horticultural plants.

Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time professional experience in (1) the development or enforcement of regulations which deal with the production or distribution of horticultural/agricultural plants or the application of commercial pesticides, or (2) the production and distribution, or scientific study of horticultural plants may be substituted for the required education, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of four years (e.g., experience equivalent to one year of full-time work in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required education).

Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional graduate course work in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology and/or other related plant sciences field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year (e.g., 45 quarter hours with at least nine quarter hours in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required experience).

Necessary Special Qualifications: A valid vehicle operator's license may be required for employment in some positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience,100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under general supervision, is responsible for professional inspection and enforcement work of average difficulty involving wholesalers and retailers subject to horticultural laws and regulations; and performs related work as required.

This is the working level class in the Plant Inspection sub-series. An employee in this class inspects and certifies wholesale and retail nursery and greenhouse stock. This class differs from that of Plant Inspector 1, in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from Plant Inspector 3 in that an incumbent of the latter functions as a regional supervisor.

An employee appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to this class after successful completion of a mandatory two-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

Responsibilities

• Inspects and recommends certification of plant producers for the production and distribution of plants; inspects wholesale and retail plant producers' and/or dealers' stock for proper storage to ensure plants are maintained and sold true to their variety, viability, and labeling; inspects plants for disease, insects, and/or plant pests; completes nursery certification forms to approve nurseries, greenhouses, and other plant producers for production and distribution.
• Certifies plant shipments for intrastate, interstate, and international transport and sale; inspects wholesale and retail plant producers' and/or dealers' stock for proper storage to ensure plants are maintained and sold true to their variety, viability, and labeling; inspects plants for disease, insects, and/or plant pests; completes phytosanitary certification forms to approve plant shipments for transfer or sale.
• Enforces regulations concerned with plant pest and disease control; examines records of retail plant dealers and/or producers to ensure plants have been purchased from certified sources to prevent the spread of plant pests and diseases; enforces compliance agreements; makes regulatory decisions as to the destruction or treatment of diseased or damaged plants; issues stop sale orders, and levies civil penalties when necessary.
• Provides technical guidance to plant producers and/or dealers, nurserymen, greenhouse owners, home owners and farmers on methods of detection, control and eradication of harmful plant insects, diseases, and parasites; may supervise in the application of pesticides to treat plant problems.
• Assists in the control and eradication of agricultural pests through a variety of methods, including aerial spraying and ground applications.
• Assists in surveys of plant pests throughout the State; gathers information on location, movement and population size of various problem insects and other pests (e.g., gypsy moth, fire ant, Japanese beetle); records gathered information onto standardized survey forms.
• Prepares and maintains inspection reports, expense reports and routine correspondence.
• May lead the activities of lower-level classifications during seasonal surveys of a variety of pests (e.g., gypsy moth, fire ant, Japanese beetle).

Competencies (KSA's)

• Manages Ambiguity
• Manages Complexity
• Plans and Aligns
• Decision Quality
• Manages Conflict

Knowledge:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Law and Government
• Production and Processing
• Sales and Marketing

Skills:

• Active Learning and Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Reading Comprehension

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Depth Perception

Tools & Equipment

• Personal Computer
• GPS Unit
• Copy Machine
• Fax Machine
• Camera

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.