State of Maryland

An Agricultural Inspector III is the full performance 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 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 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. The Agricultural Inspector III is differentiated from Agricultural Inspector Advanced in that the Agricultural Inspector Advanced 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.

Conducts routine, complex and difficult inspections or investigations for compliance with standards, laws, rules and regulations which apply to the specific option;

Collects samples and specimens for testing;

Assists inspectors in other option areas in conducting specialized inspections or investigations;

Provides advice and guidance to lower-level inspectors;

Recommends corrective actions;

Develops and maintains documentation and records of inspections;

Responds to complaints from the public and others in regard to alleged violations of standards or laws by businesses and others;

Performs other related duties.

Class Descriptions 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.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

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 not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded 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 the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.