Agricultural/Standards Inspector

Job Description:

Agricultural/Standards Inspector

Description

CAREER DESCRIPTION

AGRICULTURAL/STANDARDS INSPECTOR

SALARY INFORMATION
Salary may be negotiable within the range listed above, based on position requirements and the successful candidate's qualifications, subject to appropriate authorization.

In addition to performance-based merit increases, this position is scheduled to receive salary range increases on the following date:

Effective June 27, 2025 - 4.00% increase

OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

This recruitment is being held to establish an open eligible list to fill and may be used to fill immediate and future Agricultural/Standards Inspector vacancies within County of Orange - OC Public Works. This recruitment may also be used to fill positions in similar and/or lower classifications throughout the County of Orange.

DEADLINE TO APPLY

This recruitment will be open for a minimum of five (5) business days.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately, as the recruitment will close on
Monday, November 25, 2024, at 11:59 PM (PT)

OC PUBLIC WORKS
OC Public Works (OCPW) provides services on a regional basis to unincorporated areas, to cities, and to other County agencies and departments. The primary mission of the department is to protect and enrich the community through the sustainable delivery of projects and services. OC Public Works’ guiding principles are safety, integrity, quality, teamwork, and adaptability.

OCPW is a unique County department comprised of ten (10) service areas: Administrative Services, Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures; OC Construction; OC Development Services; OC Environmental Resources; OC Fleet Services; OC Facilities Design & Construction; OC Facilities Maintenance; OC Infrastructure Programs; OC Operations & Maintenance.

The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures Office is comprised of three functional divisions: Agricultural Services programs, Pesticide Use Enforcement programs, and Weights & Measures programs. The Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights & Measures has the responsibility of enforcing State-mandated agricultural and pesticide laws and regulations, and the inspection of commercial weighing and measuring devices throughout the County. With the goals of preventing exotic plant pests and diseases from harming California’s agricultural industry and environment; protecting residents, users, and the environment from pesticide hazards; and protecting consumers and businesses by providing a basis of value comparison and fair competition.

For more information on the OC Agricultural Commissioner’s Office click here .
For more information on OC Public Works click here .
For more information on the County of Orange click here .

THE OPPORTUNITY
This is the journey-level classification in the Agricultural/Standards Inspector series. Under minimal supervision, incumbents at this level are responsible for performing regulatory work and enforcing laws and regulations as licensed employees of the Orange County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights & Measures office. Incumbents may be tasked with inspections and other assignments as required for the position. These inspections may include locations such as orchards, fields, range lands, residential or business premises, nurseries, and other facilities selling or distributing plants. Incumbents are assigned work only in those areas for which they hold valid state certificates

Inspectors in this class independently perform inspections in Agricultural Services programs, Pesticides Use Enforcement programs, and/or Weights & Measures programs functions. Typically, inspectors work in one or multiple areas of specialty and do not perform supervisory duties characteristic of the next higher-level class.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS AND CORE COMPETENCIES
In addition to the minimum qualifications, the ideal candidate will demonstrate the experience and core competencies described below.
Technical Knowledge

• General knowledge of: laws, regulations, and functions relating to the office of County Agricultural Commissioner and/or weight and measures; of the agricultural industry in California.
• Interpreting and applying State laws & regulations and local policies
  
• Performing technical fieldwork in one or more functional areas
  
• Preparation of inspection reports, investigation reports, databases, and maintaining records
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
  

Analytical Skills

• Ability to interpret and apply the provisions of laws & regulations relating to the office of the County Agricultural Commissioner
• Ability to effectively and tactfully deal with persons contacted on enforcement matters
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and take effective action

Communication Skills

• Ability to speak and write effectively
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Excellent customer service skills
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills

Teamwork/Collaboration

• Ability to work in dynamic situations with the public and industry
• Ability to work independently and within a team setting
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relations with others
• Works with others to achieve goals

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT
Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following disciplines:

• Agricultural Science
• Biological Science
• Chemical Science
• Mathematics
• Physical Science
• Statistics

Experience
One (1) year of standard or above performance as an Agricultural/Standards Technician with the County of Orange utilizing one or more of the following State of California licenses (see below under License/Certification).

Or

One (1) year of applicable public sector experience as an Inspector of Agricultural Commissioner Standards utilizing one or more of the following State of California licenses (see below under License/Certification).

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
At least three (3) of the following State of California licenses:

• Commodity Regulations
• Integrated Pest Management
• Investigation and Environmental Monitoring
• Measurement Verification
• Pesticide Regulation
• Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation
• Transaction and Product Verification
• Weight Verification

Must have a valid California Class C Driver's License. Depending on the assignment, some positions in this class may require possession of a valid Commercial Driver’s License (Class B).

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Click here to view the complete classification description, including the physical and mental requirements as well as the environmental and working conditions for Agricultural/Standards Inspector.

NOTE: Foreign degrees require an evaluation of U.S. equivalency by an agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Services (N.A.C.E.S. ) .

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and/or desirable qualifications. After screening, applicants who meet the minimum and/or desirable qualifications will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application Screening (Refer/Non-Refer)
Applications and supplemental responses will be screened for qualifications that are highly desirable and most needed to successfully perform the duties of this job. Only those candidates that meet the qualifications listed in the job bulletin will be referred to the next step.

Structured Oral Interview | SOI (Weighted 100%)
Candidates will be interviewed and rated by a qualification appraisal panel of job knowledge experts. Each candidate's rating will be based on responses to a series of questions designed to elicit the candidate's qualifications for the job. Only the most successful candidates will be placed on to the eligible list.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures above may be modified. Candidates will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

PLEASE SEE BELOW FOR IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING COVID-19 RELATED REQUIREMENTS
Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS : Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

Questions? For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, contact Rose Nguyen at 714-667-9699 or by email at Rose.Nguyen@ocpw.ocgov.com .

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Non-Management Benefits
In addition to the County's standard suite of benefits, such as a variety of health plan options, annual leave and paid holidays--we also offer an excellent array of benefits such as a Health Care Reimbursement Account, 457 Defined Contribution Plan and Annual Education and Professional Reimbursement. Employees are provided a Retirement Plan through the Orange County Employees Retirement System (OCERS).

Please go to the following link to find out more about Defined Benefit Pensions and OCERS Plan Types/Benefits.
http://www.ocers.org/active-member-information

Click here for information about benefits offered to County of Orange employees.

Closing Date/Time: 11/25/2024 11:59 PM Pacific

Salary:

$67,121.60 - $90,417.60 Annually