Under general direction, 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 full journey level class in the
Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector series. An employee of this class enforces
various provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code, the California Business
and Professions Code, and other related aspects of the California Code of
Regulations. Incumbents are expected to
be licensed and proficient in the full range of agricultural and weights and
measures inspection and enforcement programs, and may provide direction and
training to less experienced employees.
TYPICAL DUTIES
(Agricultural Inspection)
Inspects a wide variety of items for compliance with plant quarantine regulations; determines and enforces the appropriate disposition of inspected items that do not conform to regulations.
Inspects a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to ensure compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality; inspects product samples, issues certificates of inspection, and restricts sale and movement of sub-standard items.
Conducts surveys for pests not known to occur in this area and carries out eradication programs against introduced pests; inspects nurseries for pest cleanliness and compliance with minimum standards; inspects apiaries and abates diseased hives when necessary.
Identifies and controls 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.
Enforces pesticide regulations to ensure safety of handlers, field workers, public, crops and the environment; investigates complaints of damage from pesticide use and investigates pesticide-related illnesses; collects and prepares samples for laboratory analysis; assists in providing training and educational outreach to growers on pesticide safety and regulations.
Advises the general public on agriculture-related matters and identifies 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)
Inspects and tests the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices for compliance with established tolerances; condemns the use of commercial weighing and measuring devices not meeting required standards; issues and attaches seals to devices that meet required standards.
Measures the capacity of large tanks; conducts 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.
Inspects packaged commodities, other goods and petroleum products for accuracy of weight or measure, correct labeling, and adherence to required specifications; verifies box tares at canneries and processing plants.
Performs investigations of suspected illegal acts or unlawful practices concerning commercial weights and measures and collects available evidence; contacts and questions complainants and witnesses; provides information concerning cases for further legal or administrative action.
Verifies Weighmasters’ licenses and determines 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.
May provide direction and training to less experienced employees.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience: Two (2) years of full-time experience working as a state-licensed County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights And Measures Inspector at a level equivalent to Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector II in San Joaquin County service
License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license. Depending on the nature of assignment, may be required to obtain and maintain a Class A or B Commercial Driver’s License.
Special Requirements: At the time of appointment, must possess valid licenses in all eight (8) statewide specific categories as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and County Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. These are identified as follows:
a) Pesticide Regulation;
b) Investigation and Environmental Monitoring;
c) Weight Verification;
d) Measurement Verification;
e) Integrated Pest Management;
f) Commodity Regulation;
g) Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; and
h) Transaction and Product 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 III upon implementation of classification study #24-004 by the Civil Service Commission.
KNOWLEDGE
Principles and practices of agriculture,
including crops, soils, equipment and related items; 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
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; proficiently 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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