County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under general supervision, the Agricultural and Standards Investigator II enforces state and federal laws and regulations and investigates violations relating to of the California Food and Agricultural Code and the California Business and Professions Code. The Agricultural and Standards Investigator II enforces fruit, vegetable, honey, and egg quality standards; inspects and tests all commercial weighing and measuring devices; inspects pre-packaged commodities for accuracy of weight, measure, or count; performs or assists in control and prevention of vertebrate, weed and agricultural pest infestations; conducts quarantine inspections; conducts pesticide use enforcement inspections and investigations to protect human health and the environment; investigates consumer complaints and inspects and investigates point-of-sale transactions for accuracy; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Agricultural and Standards Investigator II is located in the Community Development Agency’s Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department which has various locations throughout Alameda County. Agricultural and Standards Investigator II is the journey-level class in this professional series and is distinguished from the Agricultural and Standards Investigator III in that the latter performs the full scope of functions within the classification and may act as a Program lead. Incumbents work under the direction of an Agricultural and Standards Investigator III or higher-level classification. The Agricultural and Standards Investigator II may give technical direction and guidance on specific assignments to the Agricultural and Standards Investigator I. Incumbents are expected to obtain the necessary licenses and demonstrate satisfactory performance which qualifies them to promote and flex up to Agricultural/Standards Investigator III, upon the completion of two years of full-time experience as an Agricultural/Standards Investigator II.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: 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 duties listed.

1. Inspect fruits, nuts, vegetables, eggs and honey at point of origin, wholesale, or retail sites for compliance with standards; issue violation notices indicating required reconditioning and re-inspects for compliance; issue permits for disposal of agricultural products; and inspect produce for compliance with organic and direct marketing regulations.

2. Perform inspections of, and tests various types of weighing devices, such as retail, industrial, livestock and vehicle scales for accuracy within established tolerances; inspect and test various types of measuring devices including petroleum products, electric, vapor, water, LPG, bulk plant, vehicle tank, taximeters, and odometers.

3. Investigate complaints and possible violations or misrepresentations, and prepare reports of findings; issue certificates of inspection and condemn or confiscate illegal equipment.

4. Inspect nurseries and seed dealers for insect pests, plant diseases and noxious weeds, and may specify control procedures.

5. Inspect range and farm land, roadsides, warehouses, etc., to ascertain the degree and extent of rodent infestation; determine appropriate control method to be used; apply rodenticides in a safe and effective manner; assist with mixing, packaging and labeling of rodenticides.

6. Inspect and test pre-packaged goods for correct weight, measures or count, and for proper labeling; issue notice of violations as necessary; and order short weight and measures packages off sale; inspect automated point-of-sale terminals, i.e. scanners, enforce federal, state and local codes; and inspect weigh-master records for accuracy and compliance with State Law.

7. Conduct surveys to locate infestations of noxious weeds, exotic insect pests and plant diseases; place and service insect traps; respond to new pest infestations or threats, i.e. glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), vine mealy bug (VMB), sudden oak death (SOD).

8. Inspect plant materials and agricultural products shipped by common carriers for insect pests, plant diseases, weeds and for compliance with quarantines; specify disposition of illegal shipments.

9. Issue phytosanitary certificates for shipments of agricultural products to other states and countries.

10. Inspect applications of pesticides performed by licensed structural and agricultural pest control operators for compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

11. Cooperate with State personnel in the enforcement of State regulations regarding petroleum products and commodity advertising; and make undercover purchases in the course of investigations.

12. Inspect pesticide storage areas, records and application equipment; and also conduct investigations into episodes of pesticide exposure; inspect pesticide users in proper application techniques and safety precautions; and issue permits for use of restricted pesticides.
13. Interpret Weights and Measures laws and regulations to merchants and the public.

14. Make presentations to organized groups regarding the Agricultural and/or Weights and Measures programs.

15. Provide technical guidance and field training to lesser experienced and new personnel.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of one year full-time experience as an Agricultural and Standards Investigator I in the Alameda County classified service (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority and the Consolidated Courts).

Or II

Experience:

The equivalent of two years full-time experience in the enforcement of agricultural laws, in agricultural pest control, or in the production, marketing, processing of agricultural commodities; or experience in inspection, maintenance, repair or installation of measuring instruments or equipment. This experience must have been at a level comparable to Alameda County Agricultural and Standards Investigator I.

Special Requirements:

Possession of four or more of the following eight licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, as designated by the County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer is required: Pesticide Regulation; Investigation and Environmental Monitoring; Commodity Regulation; Integrated Pest Management; Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; Weight Verification; Measurement Verification; and Transaction and Product Verification. Possession of at least one license in the agricultural discipline and one license in the weights and measures discipline is required within one year of hire.

AND
License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. Class A or B California State Motor Vehicle Operator's license is required when conducting vehicle and other heavy capacity scale inspections that require the use of the heavy capacity test truck and trailer. 

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.


Knowledge of:

• Federal, State and local agricultural and weights and measures laws, regulations, procedures and practices and their application.
• Record keeping systems.
• Basic Entomology, Botany, Biology and Chemistry.
• Agricultural pests and their control.
• Elementary physics and arithmetic.
• All safety practices relating to weights and measures and agricultural activities.
• Principles, mechanics, and care of weighing and measuring devices and of methods and techniques of inspecting and testing same.
• Current agricultural and weights and measures issues.


Ability to:

• Learn to operate specialty equipment; four-wheel drive vehicles, forklifts, all terrain vehicles, power sprayers, bait mixing and application equipment.
• Interpret, explain, and enforce local, state and federal laws and regulations pertinent to the work.
• Develop and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, business contacts, and the general public.
• Communicate orally, write effectively, and prepare complete and accurate reports, and records.
• Periodically perform strenuous physical tasks requiring a moderate degree of manual dexterity, which may involve lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Keep records and prepare reports.
• Direct and provide technical guidance and train lesser experienced personnel.
• Utilize methods of inspection and identification.
• Use appropriate safety clothing and equipment.
• Collect and identify important pests.
• Use and maintain sensitive mechanical weighing and measuring devices and test standards.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspecs: 8419.doc
DRH:cs 1/7/11
CSC Date: 6/29/11
DRH:cs 5/16/14
CSC Date: 6/11/14

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.