Agricultural Biologist-Weights and Measures Inspector I/II/Senior

Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Possession of at least two (2) valid licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture within twelve (12) months of appointment, one (1) of which must be either:

• Pesticide Regulation
• Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation
• Weight Verification

Education and Experience:

Completion of advanced educational training in biological and agricultural sciences with courses in mathematics and physics in accordance with State of California licensing requirements.

Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Possession of at least five (5) valid licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture, including: Pesticide Regulation, Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation, and Weight Verification. The two (2) remaining licenses may be any combination of the following:

• Investigation and Environmental Monitoring
• Integrated Pest Management
• Commodity Regulations
• Measurement Verification
• Transaction and Product Verification

Education and Experience:

At least one (1) year of inspection and enforcement experience comparable to that of an Agricultural Biologist - Weights and Measures Inspector I with the County of Lake.

Completion of advanced educational training in biological and agricultural sciences with courses in mathematics and physics in accordance with State of California licensing requirements.

AND

One (1) year of full-time professional experience performing agricultural and weights and Measures inspections, or similar experience.

Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.

Licensing and Certifications:
Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California driver's license.

Possession of eight (8) valid licenses related to agricultural, weights, measures, and commodity inspections issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

· Pesticide Regulation

· Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation

· Weight Verification

· Investigation and Environmental Monitoring

· Integrated Pest Management

· Commodity Regulations

· Measurement Verification

· Transaction and Product Verification

Education and Experience:
At least one (1) year of inspection and enforcement experience comparable to that of an Agricultural Biologist - Weights and Measures Inspector II with the County of Lake.

Completion of advanced educational training in biological and agricultural sciences with courses in mathematics and physics in accordance with State of California licensing requirements.

Additional directly related experience and/or education may be substituted.

AGRICULTURAL BIOLOGIST - WEIGHTS AND MEASURES INSPECTOR I

Under direct supervision, performs inspections and enforces laws and regulations related to the functions of the County Agricultural Commissioner, Sealer of Weights and Measures, and the use of pesticides, standardization, scales, and pest prevention; learns to perform pest prevention and pesticide regulation assignments; learns to inspect and test weighing and measuring devices; learns to verify consumer transactions and product quality; and performs related duties as assigned.

This is the entry-level class in the Agricultural Biologist - Weights & Measures Inspector series. Incumbents perform routine and less complex inspection and enforcement activities under direct supervision until they gain experience and obtain the requisite state licenses to advance to the higher-level classes within the Agricultural Biologist - Weights & Measures Inspector series.

The Agricultural Biologist - Weights & Measures Inspector I is distinguished from the Agricultural Biologist - Weights & Measures Inspector II in that the latter class possesses the knowledge and requisite state licenses to independently perform the full range of duties assigned to Agricultural Biologist - Weights & Measures Inspectors.

Positions in the Agricultural Biologist - Weights and Measures Inspector series are flexibly staffed. Incumbents may advance to the higher level after gaining the knowledge, skill, experience, licenses, and certifications which meet the qualifications for and demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.

Receives general supervision from supervisory and/or management staff, depending on area of assignment. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide lead direction, work coordination, and training, as assigned.

Class specifications are intended to present a descriptive list of the scope of duties performed by employees in this class and are not intended to reflect all duties performed within the job.

• Interprets and enforces codes, regulations, government acts, and other pertinent rules and laws related to agriculture or weights and Measures; issues certificates of inspection, citations, or violations.
• Inspects, tests, and seals commercial weighing and measuring devices; verifies weighmaster licenses.
• Inspects nurseries, seeds, incoming plant shipments, and other transported agricultural commodities for evidence of disease, pests, or noxious weeds seeds; may certify or specify the treatment of agricultural products to be transported.
• Inspects fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, eggs, or other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses, and storage areas for compliance with regulations related to standards and grades.
• Examines fields, orchards, roadways, and cultivated areas to determine the location and extent of rodent, weed, bird, insect, predator, and plant disease infestations.
• Controls and eradicates plants, weeds, and pests; assists in the quarantine and treatment or destruction of plants, plant products, or produce deemed to be below minimum standards.
• Ensures proper pesticide application to crops.
• Compiles and prepares information, records, and reports.
• Provides information and responds to inquiries from the public and other government agencies.
• Performs maintenance on equipment as needed.

• Performs related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Basic functions and responsibilities of the County Agricultural Commissioner and the County Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• Basic laws, regulations, and ordinances regulating the use of pesticides, standardization, scales, and pest prevention.
• Statistical testing methods and procedures.
• Basic agricultural practices and crops pertinent to Lake County.
• Basic pest and noxious weed control measures.
  Customer service principles.
• Proper English spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Written and oral communications skills.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software applications) to conduct research, assess information, and/or prepare documentation.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction.
  

Ability to:

• Perform agricultural and weights and Measures inspections and enforcement work.
• Use and apply a variety of inspection methods and techniques.
• Analyze, interpret, and apply federal, state, and local rules and regulations relating to agricultural and weights and Measures standards.
• Collect and maintain information related to Lake County crops.
• Perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately.
• Enforce regulations with firmness and tact.
• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Effectively represent the department with the public, community organizations, county staff, and other government agencies.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Regularly work well under pressure, meet multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines.
• Utilize a computer, relevant software applications, and/or other equipment as assigned to perform a variety of work tasks.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Licensing and Certifications:

Possession of, or ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Possession of at least two (2) valid licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture within twelve (12) months of appointment, one (1) of which must be either:

• Pesticide Regulation
• Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation
• Weight Verification

Education and Experience:

Completion of advanced educational training in biological and agricultural sciences with courses in mathematics and physics in accordance with State of California licensing requirements.

Additional directly related education and/or experience may be substituted.

The County of Lake is an equal opportunity employer and will comply with its obligations under the law to provide equal employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

Incumbents generally work partially in an office environment with moderate noise levels and controlled temperature conditions and partially in the field. As such, incumbents may have occasional exposure to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, and direct exposure to hazardous physical conditions. Incumbents may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.

Positions in this class typically require: sitting, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions.

Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects. If the use of arm and/or leg controls requires exertion of forces greater than that for Sedentary Work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated for light work.

Medium Work: Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 25 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects.

Heavy Work: Exerting 50 to 100 pounds of fo...