Placer County

To interpret and enforce laws and regulations of the State of California and the County pertaining to agriculture, pesticides and weights and measures, to ensure fair competition among regulated industries, including a wide variety of retail businesses, pest control companies and agricultural producers; to govern the safe and effective use of pesticides across multiple industry sectors; and to protect the environment and the public.

Agricultural and Standards Inspector I
This is the entry level class in the Agricultural and Standards Inspector series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Agricultural and Standards Inspector II
This is the full journey level class within the Agricultural and Standards Inspector series.  This class is distinguished from the Agricultural and Standards Inspector I by the assignment of the full range of duties assigned.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.

This class is distinguished from the Agricultural and Standards Inspector - Senior in that the latter performs complex and difficult agricultural/weights enforcement and inspection duties and exercises technical and functional supervision over other technical staff.

Agricultural and Standards Inspector I
Receives immediate supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from other technical personnel.

Agricultural and Standards Inspector II
Receives general supervision from assigned supervisory or management staff and may receive technical and functional supervision from other technical personnel.
 

• Enforce State and County pesticide laws and regulations through the issuance of permits, including restricted materials permits, on-site inspection and investigation; monitor application and use of appropriate pesticides.
• Investigate pesticide illnesses and property loss and environmental effects related to pesticide use.
• Conduct quarantine inspections of plant material for detection of potentially harmful diseases and pests.
• Perform detection surveys of areas of known insect, weed and disease infestations; identify, document and delineate new infestations; identify target pests and place and service insect traps; apply pesticides.
• Conduct nursery inspections for detection of pests; take appropriate action to eradicate harmful pests; issue certificates of compliance, and notices of non-compliance.
• Conduct fruit, vegetable, honey and egg quality control; perform apiary and swarm inspections.
• Conduct quality control audits of packaged commodities and price verification at commercial outlets.
• Conduct inspections of commercial weighing and measuring devices (including scales and a wide variety of retail meters including motor fuel and electric vehicle charging stations, liquefied petroleum gas and other similar meters and systems)for accuracy and compliance with applicable laws, regulations and established tolerances; issue County seal, as required; respond to and investigate complaints.
• Conducts inspections of advertising, labeling, and minimum performance standards for petroleum and automotive products (including gasoline, diesel, and motor oil).
• Issue notices for violations of agricultural, pesticide and weights and measures laws and regulations.
• Prepare initial drafts of administrative civil penalty documents for violations of agricultural, pesticide and weights and measures laws and regulations for supervisory and management review; apply investigative techniques, collect and document evidence; and represent the department in civil penalty hearings.
• Represent the department to outside groups and organizations; provide technical assistance as necessary.
• Prepare technical and administrative reports, statistics and studies; prepare written correspondence as necessary.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, the public and regulated industries using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Agricultural & Standards Inspector I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One year of weights and measures enforcement or agricultural pest control experience is desirable.

Training: Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences; OR

Equivalent to a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, in one or any combination of the following disciplines: agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of one or more Agricultural and Standards Inspector/Biologist or Weights and Measures Inspector licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture County Licensing Program, within one (1) year of appointment to the position.

• Possession of Class C, and ability to obtain, a valid Commercial Class A, B, or C driver's license with air brake, hazardous materials, and/or tanker endorsements as required depending upon the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Agricultural and Standards Inspector I

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of agricultural, pesticide, and weights and measures inspection.
• General entomology and botany principles.
• Modern office procedures, mobile devices, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of work safety.
• English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Arithmetic, basic statistics and mathematical calculations.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, analyze situations and develop solutions to situations involving pest identification and eradication and determination of accuracy of weighing and measuring devices; identify, interpret, explain and enforce violations; review, interpret, explain and enforce laws and  regulations; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; and observe safety precautions, especially in the field.
• Intermittently, sit at a desk while compiling data and writing reports; walk, stand, climb and bend in the field; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling and fine manipulation; write or use a keyboard to communicate; and lift very heavy weight.
• Utilize inspection and exam procedure manuals.
• Identify and understand the operation of technical equipment used for pest eradication and/or control.
• Inspect and certify the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices.
• Drive a large weight truck and operate a mechanical hoist that lifts 1000 pound standards for testing large capacity scales. 
• Pull and maneuver a trailer.
• Recognize pests and problem solve to take appropriate actions.
• Compile, analyze and evaluate technical and statistical information.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Obtain information through interview; work fairly and courteously with the public; and work effectively with interruption.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and determine proper course of action.
• Use a computer, mobile devices and modern office equipment.
• Understand and follow written and oral instructions.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Agricultural and Standards Inspector II

In addition to the qualifications for Agricultural and Standards Inspector I:

Knowledge of:

• Agricultural laws, rules and regulations governing general inspection for agricultural pests.
• Detection and eradication techniques of diseases and pests relating to agricultural commodities.
• State laws and regulations of weights and measures.
• State laws and regulations of pesticide use enforcement.
• Policies and procedures of the Agricultural Department.

Ability to:

• Identify and understand the operation of the full range of technical equipment used for pest detection, eradication and/or control.
• Independently inspect and certify the accuracy of scales and other commercial weighing and measuring devices.
• Interpret, explain and enforce the full range of agricultural, pesticide, and weights and measures laws and regulations.