State of Maryland

An Agricultural Inspector Advanced is the advanced level of work conducting inspections, investigations, sampling or testing of agricultural and other commodities such as animal health, weights and measures, pesticides, pest survey and control, and turf and seed.   Employees make independent determinations regarding controversial and borderline inspection findings.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but may train assign, review and approve the work of lower-level Agricultural Inspectors for assigned projects.   

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an Agricultural Inspector Supervisor or program supervisor.  The work which requires extensive travel is performed at various field locations throughout a geographic region of the State.  The work may require lifting and carrying up to 100 pounds.            

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.  

The Agricultural Inspector Advanced is differentiated from the Agricultural Inspector III in that the Agricultural Inspector Advance makes independent determinations on inspection findings which are sensitive and controversial and may assign, review and approve the work of and train lower-level Agricultural Inspectors while the Agricultural Inspector III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.  The Agricultural Inspector Advanced is differentiated from the Agricultural Inspector Supervisor in that the Agricultural Inspector Supervisor has full supervisory responsibility for lower-level Agricultural Inspectors.

Performs a broad range of routine and complex inspections to determine compliance with agriculture laws, regulations and standards;

Knowledge of applicable principles and practices;

Knowledge of inspection, testing and investigative techniques;

Skill in operating specialized equipment;

Ability to use applicable standards to make correct determinations based on observations of technical procedures and practices;

Ability to understand, interpret and explain applicable statutory requirements, rules, regulations and standards;

Ability to present evidence in court;

Ability to follow instructions under minimal supervision;

Ability to train and assign, review and approve the work of lower-level Agricultural Inspectors;

Ability to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others;

Ability to communicate effectively.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Four years of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in the care and management of animals; animal disease control; care or management of livestock or inspecting veterinary hospitals, riding stables or livestock dealers; installation, inspection, repair, or testing of weighting, volumetric measuring or counting devices; inspecting labeling and packaging; pesticide sales, use, regulation, or application; production, maintenance or inspection of a tree plantation or nursery stock; pest or weed control; wildlife population censuring; or the production, sales, inspection or testing of seed or turf products. At least two years of this experience must include work as a local, State or federal inspector.

Notes:

1. Applicants may substitute fifteen credit hours in agriculture; animal, biological, environmental, food or physical sciences; chemistry; mathematics; engineering, or law enforcement at an accredited college or university for one year of experience for up to two years of the required experience.       

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a non-commissioned officer in quality assurance, inspection and grading classification or quality assurance, inspection and grading specialty codes in the agricultural commodity grading field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience. 

1. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.  Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator license’s valid in the State of Maryland.  

2. Employees in this classification who are involved in pesticide sales, use, regulation or application or pest survey and control are required to possess and maintain a current Maryland Commercial Applicators Certification. 

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.   

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.  

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit C, Regulatory, Inspection, and Licensure classes.  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.  

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation.  An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.