Agricultural & Standards Inspector Trainee/I/II



Agricultural & Standards Inspector Trainee/I/II

Salary

$43,363.00 - $52,848.00 Annually

Location

Tulare, CA

Job Type

Full-Time

Job Number

18-000820A

Department

Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

Opening Date

06/23/2018

Closing Date

7/14/2018 10:25 AM Pacific

Vacancies with the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer's Office in Tulare. This recruitment will establish an employment  list to fill current and future vacancies.  The anticipated life of the list is six months. Weekend and/or overtime work may be required. Positions may work in locations other than the Tulare Ag complex.

Trainee:  $2,907 - $3,543 Monthly*
Level I:    $3,272 - $3,988 Monthly*
Level II:   $3,613 - $4,404 Monthly*

*Positions to receive a 2% Cost-of-Living salary increase effective 7/8/18

Typical Duties

The Trainee performs basic duties stated below under close supervision. As incumbents acquire the appropriate licenses and experience, responsibilities and complexity of assignments increase and employees may be expected to promote to the Inspector I, II and III levels. Duties: Conduct field surveys and inspections in areas applicable to the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer's Department, including fruit, vegetable and egg quality control, nursery compliance, pest and disease control, pesticide safety, weighing and measuring devices, quality control of packaged commodities, electric meters and liquid petroleum gas; conduct phytosanitary (export) inspections and issue certifications; investigate and determine agriculture commodity fitness; issue certificates of compliance or notices of noncompliance; disseminate agricultural and weights and measures policies and information; conduct studies including crop statistics and statistical sampling surveys; prepare reports and correspondence; testify in court when necessary. Note:  An Agricultural and Standards Inspector Trainee is expected to obtain at least one (1) specific Category Inspection License within a year from the date of hire.

Employment Standards

Education and Experience Requirements – Trainee: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college in agricultural, biological, chemical, physical sciences or other appropriate disciplines as determined by the Secretary of the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture *.  State and Federal inspection licenses/certificates are NOT a substitution for a Bachelor's degree.  Level I: In addition to the necessary employment requirements for a Trainee, must possess one(1) valid State of California Agricultural Inspection License and have one(1) year experience in the inspection and enforcement of weights and measures and agricultural laws and codes for enforcement purposes,. Level II: In addition to the necessary employment standards for a Level I,  the Level II must  possess  three (3) valid State of California Specific Category Licenses, of which two (2) must be in agricultural inspection and one (1) in weights and measures inspection and two(2) years experience in agricultural/weights and measures inspecting, weights and measures and agricultural laws and codes.
 
Knowledge of - Math sufficient to record monies received, calculate packaging errors, use sampling techniques, read and calibrate measurement instruments, and convert mass, volume, and length measurements; general principles regarding plant growth and development; insect, animal, and disease vectors and their control; in general, types of crops grown and farming methods practiced in Tulare County.
 
Skill/Ability to - Read, interpret and apply provisions of laws and regulations in technical material such as federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances; prepare clear, concise and grammatically correct reports and correspondence; research information, establish facts, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations or decisions; communicate effectively with the public, co-workers and industry people; organize and prioritize work activities; follow oral and written instructions; adjust to changes in workloads and assignments and work under stress of meeting deadlines; maintain and service equipment; operate County vehicles; may lift objects weighing up to 50 pounds; walk long distances over irregular terrain; engage in physical labor involving stooping and squatting.

Additional Information

Conditions of Employment:  Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate, valid California driver's license. Candidates selected may be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act
This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan servicer or visit: http://studentaid.ed.gov/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation.

Bargaining Unit 3

The information listed is a general summary of benefits. These provisions do not constitute an expressed or implied contract and are subject to change.

Benefit Amount: An annual benefit amount is provided and may be applied towards health insurance premiums (medical, dental, vision and life).  This benefit is pro-rated and paid on a pay period basis (24 pay periods).

Health Insurance: A choice of PPO and HMO medical plans which include PPO and HMO dental plans and include dental and vision coverage. Dependent coverage is available. Providers include Anthem Blue Cross, Kaiser Permanente, Delta Dental, and Vision Services Plan (VSP).

Retirement:
The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the 1937 Act County Employees Retirement Act and integrated with Social Security. In addition to ordinary retirement benefits, the plan provides disability and death benefits. Retirement contributions are made by both the County and the employee. The County has reciprocity with the State of California, contracting PERS agencies, and all County 1937 Act Retirement Systems.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days and 1 personal holiday.

Vacation Accrual:

2 weeks per year (0-3 years of service)
3 weeks per year (3-7 years of service)
4 weeks per year (7-11 years of service)
5 weeks per year (11+ years of service)
Limit of 300 hours.


Sick Leave Accrual: 12 days per year with unlimited accumulation, 50 hours of which may be used toward family sick leave. Sick leave buy back program after 3 years of service.

Group Term Life Insurance and AD&D:  $10,000; Provided by Standard Insurance Company.

Disability Insurance:
Employees are covered by State Disability Insurance. The premium is paid by the employee.

Deferred Compensation: A voluntary deferred compensation plan is available.


To view more detailed descriptions of Tulare County's benefits, please view the Benefits section of our Web site at https://tularecounty.ca.gov/hrd/index.cfm/benefits-wellness/health-plans-active-employees/

The Provisions Of This Bulletin Do Not Constitute An Expressed Or Implied Contract And Are Subject To Change.

01
Do you possess a bachelor's degree with specialization in agricultural or biological sciences from an accredited college or university?
  • Yes
  • No
02
If you answered yes to the above question, indicate your major and the institution from which obtained:
03
Do you possess a valid statewide specific category license(s) as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist?
  • Yes
  • No
04
If you answered yes above, check below the/those valid license(s) that you possess:
  • Integrated Pest Management
  • Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation
  • Older, valid Agriculture Licenses
  • Investigation and Environmental Monitoring
  • Pesticide Regulation
05
If you indicated having older, valid Agriculture Licenses - Please list those you possess:
06
As an Agricultural and Standards Inspector, you will be required to interpret and apply laws and regulations. Please list any technical material which you have read and applied and indicate how you applied the information, i.e., wrote research paper/term paper, enforced policy or procedure, explained a process to employees.
07
As an Agricultural and Standards Inspector you will be required to maintain effective communications with the Agricultural community. Describe the types of communications you have had with others which utilized your interviewing and listening skills in an effort to persuade or negotiate with others to gain their cooperation.
08
Describe the types of reports you have prepared which included collecting, organizing and analyzing information.
09
Indicate if you have math skills sufficient to record monies received, calculate packaging errors, use sampling techniques, read and calibrate measurement instruments and convert mass, volume and length by: A. Listing high school, college, trade or technical school math course work taken. B. Listing work experience, college or technical school projects, and/or research projects completed that demonstrate your level of math skills.
10
Describe your knowledge of and skill in the use of various work aides, equipment and precision instruments, such as refractors, scales, lab equipment, spray equipment, and titration equipment. Include in your response the equipment used and the skill level attained.
11
Describe your experience and knowledge of the methods and practices used to grow and market agricultural commodities. Include in your response the type of commodity and your responsibility in this area.
12
Do you possess a valid statewide specific category license(s) as a County Weights and Measures Inspector?
  • Yes
  • No
13
If you checked yes above, check below the valid license(s) that you possess:
  • Measurement Verification
  • Transaction and Product Verification
  • Weight Verification
14
If you possess an older, valid Weights and Measures Certificates - Please list those you possess
15
Some assignments may require operating a heavy weight truck. Are you willing to drive or operate heavy equipment such as a truck?
  • Yes
  • No
16
If you answered yes above, please describe any experience you have had driving equipment and training you may have gained or licenses you may possess relating to this duty.

Required Question

Agency
County of Tulare
Address
2500 W Burrel Avenue

Visalia, California, 93291
Phone
(559) 636-4900