State of Maryland

An Agricultural Inspector II is the intermediate 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 in this class do not supervise other positions.  

Employees in this classification receive moderate 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 a class specification.           

The Agricultural Inspector I, Agricultural Inspector II and Agricultural Inspector III are differentiated on the basis of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees.  The Agricultural Inspector I learns to perform duties under close supervision.  The Agricultural Inspector II performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed.  The Agricultural Inspector III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Assists higher-level inspectors in conducting comprehensive, complex and/or difficult inspections, investigations, samplings or testing of agricultural and other commodities;

Performs routine sampling, inspections and testing activities;

Prepares or assists in the preparation of administrative and technical reports;

Maintains records and documents;

Recommends corrective actions;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of applicable principles and practices;

Knowledge of inspection, testing and investigative;

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

Ability to operate equipment required to conduct inspections;

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

Ability to follow instructions under minimal supervision;

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: Two years of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in 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.

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 each year of experience for up to two years of experience. 

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience 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.  

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.     

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series.  NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance levels in a classification series.  In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class as defined in the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.