Under immediate supervision, learns and performs professional
and technical work in enforcing state, federal, and local agricultural and
weights and measures laws and ordinances; and does related or other work as
required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
This is the trainee and entry level class in the
Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector series. An employee of this class learns to enforce
various provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code, the California Business
and Professions Code, and other related aspects of the California Code of
Regulations. Initially, duties are
performed under immediate supervision and may involve a limited area of inspection. As knowledge and experience are gained,
broader and more independent responsibilities involving multiple programs may
be assigned.
TYPICAL DUTIES
(Agricultural Inspection)
Learns to inspect a wide variety of items for compliance with plant quarantine regulations; learns to determine and enforce the appropriate disposition of inspected items that do not conform to regulations.
Learns to inspect a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to ensure compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality; learns to inspect product samples, issue certificates of inspection, and restrict sale and movement of sub-standard items.
Learns to conduct surveys for pests not known to occur in this area and to carry out eradication programs against introduced pests; learns to inspect nurseries for pest cleanliness and compliance with minimum standards; learns to inspect apiaries and abate diseased hives when necessary.
Learns to identify and manage pests to protect crops and to determine and recommend the most efficient control measures; explains use of pesticides and other pest-control materials; conducts surveys if necessary; conducts experiments to determine effectiveness of various control measures.
Learns to enforce pesticide regulations to ensure safety of handlers, field workers, public, crops and the environment; learns to investigate complaints of damage from pesticide use and to investigate pesticide-related illnesses; collects and prepares samples for laboratory analysis; assists in providing training and educational outreach to growers on pesticide safety and regulations.
Learns to advise the general public on agriculture-related matters and to identify plants, diseases, insects, and pests; explains the requirements of inter- or intra- state or country movement of plants and other agricultural produce.
Participates in legal actions against growers, packers, shippers, farm workers, or others who do not comply with Food and Agriculture Code and subsequent regulations; participates in informal office hearings; collects and reports evidence of violations.
(Weights and Measures Inspection)
Learns to inspect and test the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices for compliance with established tolerances; learns to condemn the use of commercial weighing and measuring devices not meeting required standards; issues and attaches seals to devices that meet required standards.
Learns to measure the capacity of large tanks; learns to conduct tests of meters used for registering dispensing of liquids, such as gasoline, oil and grease; places “out of order” tags on meters if defective and re-inspects meters after repair to ensure that meter is correct; affixes seal as appropriate.
Learns to inspect packaged commodities, other goods and petroleum products for accuracy of weight or measure, correct labeling, and adherence to required specifications; learns to verify box tares at canneries and processing plants.
Learns to perform investigations of suspected illegal acts or unlawful practices concerning commercial weights and measures and to collect available evidence; contacts and questions complainants and witnesses; provides information concerning cases for further legal or administrative action.
Learns to verify Weighmasters’ licenses and determine whether certificates of weight are being issued correctly.
(All Assignments)
Gathers information and prepares inspection and investigative reports; compiles and maintains records; prepares statistical reports.
Cooperates with officials and regulators from other governmental agencies on joint operations; may conduct surveillance, certification, and/or quarantine inspections for other agencies as requested.
May testify in court.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree agriculture, biological, chemical, physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines as described in California Food & Agricultural Code Section 2106.
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license. Depending on the nature of the assignment, may be required to obtain and maintain a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver License.
Special Requirements: As a condition of continued employment, must possess or obtain at least three (3) valid statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture within twelve months of appointment. The category licenses that can be obtained to meet this requirement are identified as follows:
a) Pesticide Regulation;
b) Investigation and Environmental Monitoring; and
c) Weight Verification.
Note: This requirement shall be waived for individuals employed within the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner in the San Joaquin County class of Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector I upon implementation of classification study #24-004 by the Civil Service Commission.
KNOWLEDGE
Basic principles and practices of agriculture
including crops, soils, equipment and related items; basic principles and
practices of horticulture, plant pathology and entomology; common pest
vertebrates, insects, weeds, and other agricultural pests; common pesticides,
traps, baits and other pest control measures, the laws,
rules and regulations relating to the use of commercial weighing and measuring
devices; methods and techniques used in verifying the accuracy of weighing and
measuring devices within allowed tolerances; basic mathematics; basic
experimentation procedures, including sampling, testing, control methods, and
data collection; basic public relations; report writing practices.
ABILITY
Read,
understand, and interpret job-related material including technical and legal
publications; enforce laws, regulations and guidelines firmly, tactfully, and
impartially; make decisions on routine enforcement problems in accordance with
established policies and procedures; communicate effectively, both orally and
in writing; establish and maintain effective
relationships with those encountered during the course of work, including the
public; prepare clear and concise reports; use and maintain various testing
instruments and devices used in the weights and measures field; learn to use
Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point computer programs.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL REQUIREMENTS
Mobility - Occasional operation of keyboards, sitting or standing for extended periods, climbing stairs or ladders, running or crawling; frequent walking, driving, pushing/pulling and bending/squatting; Lifting - Frequent lifting of 5 to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds; ability to lift and carry a 5-gallon container of liquid for a distance of 50 feet; Vision - Excellent overall vision including good color and depth perception with constant eye/hand coordination; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity - normal dexterity with constant holding; frequent reaching, grasping, repetitive motion and writing; Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing normal speech; frequent hearing and talking on the telephone/radio and in person; occasional hearing faint sounds; Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration with frequent public contact and decision making; frequent exposure to hazardous materials and occasional exposure to emergency situations and heights; Special Conditions - frequent exposure to outdoor conditions; may require frequent overtime, weekend or evening work, and working alone.
San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.
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