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AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR II

Recruitment #24-002889-0003

Introduction


The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch.  Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation.  As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continues to expand and grow.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture's State Chemist has been in continuous operation since 1833. It regulates the sale and distribution of pesticides, animal feeds, pet foods, fertilizers, compost, soil conditioners and agricultural liming materials in order to enhance and promote agricultural production; protect consumers, animals and the environment from unsafe products; ensure the sale of effective products and provide the regulated industry with a competitive marketplace. Regulation is accomplished by product registration, laboratory analyses, inspection, voluntary compliance and enforcement actions such as stop sale orders.

Join our Team and make a difference!

GRADE

ASTD12

LOCATION OF POSITION

50 Harry S Truman Pkwy, Annapolis, MD  21401.

Work will primarily be performed in Baltimore, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Kent Counties, and Baltimore City.   Work schedules must be flexible to include evenings, weekends, holidays, as workload or as emergencies dictate. 

Main Purpose of Job

The purpose of this position is to conduct inspections, sampling, education, and investigations are conducted in support of the Program’s statutory and regulatory authority.  Sampling for the USDA PDP cooperative agreement is conducted.  This position is emergency essential.

POSITION DUTIES

Inspection. Conducts inspections of sites that manufacture, offer for retail, offer for wholesale, distribute, or store animal feeds, feed ingredients, pet foods, specialty pet foods, pesticides, fertilizers, fertilizer pesticide combination products, soil conditioners (amendments), liming materials and compost. 

Performs proper sampling according to established guidelines, for example, AOAC, AAFCO, AAPFCO, Good Samples, etc.  Prepares sampling documents accurately to reflect the entire label.  Accurately, completes sampling form for proper chain of custody of samples.

PDP Cooperative Agreement. Conducts sampling for the USDA PDP cooperative agreement.  Prepares samples for shipping to the appropriate designated laboratory. Maintains supplies inventory used for the PDP sampling program.  Inputs sampling information into the PDP database accurately.

Enforcement. Performs label review, either in the field or office, for compliance to State of Maryland and Federal laws.  Reviews product(s) in the field to determine if product(s) are registered.  Issues field stop sale notices if the product is in violation according to the Annotated Code of Maryland and the appropriate sections of COMAR.

Safety. Performs all duties required by the position in a safe manner, monitors the state issued van, and work area for any potential safety hazards.  Reports safety issues that arise to immediate supervisor and makes recommendations to maintain a safe work environment.  Ensures that the issued PPE is in proper working order and not damaged.  Is knowledgeable in the use of PPE in the inspectional work environment.

Other duties as required. These duties include, but are not limited to, assisting other inspectors in inspections, filing paperwork, mailings, etc.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess any of the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

Experience in performing fieldwork (such as inspections, sampling, and labeling)

Experience in regulatory enforcement, interpretation of state laws and regulations

Experience in using USDA Pesticide Database program (PDP).

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification are assigned duties, which require the operation of a motor vehicle and will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator license valid in the State of Maryland.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this classification may be assigned to any county or region of the State and may be required to establish residence within their assigned geographic area.

SELECTION PROCESS

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.  The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

Please report all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable. For education obtained outside the U.S., any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.  Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. 

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BARGAINING UNIT STATUS

C

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD  21401. All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.

If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.  If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Stacey Summers 410-841-5842 or stacey.summers@maryland.gov.  TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.




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