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AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
The Opportunity:
The Pesticide Management Division within the Department of Agriculture protects the public interest, health, and welfare of the people of the State of Washington by providing cost efficient and effective services for the regulation of pesticides, dairy nutrient management, and fertilizers. The Licensing and Recertification Program plays an important role in assuring that pesticide applicators, dealer managers, consultants, and pest inspectors are capable of applying, storing, and disposing of pesticides safely. We do this by administering pesticide exams, reviewing exam results, awarding licenses, and maintaining quality courses. This program is responsible for the communication of requirements and restrictions to prospective and existing licensees.
The Customer Service Specialist serves as a senior specialist and trains lower-level staff in pesticide licensing laws, rules, policies, and procedures and must have a general understanding of the pesticide laws, rules, policies and procedures. This position facilitates the processing of the pesticide licenses to ensure that applicants meet all legal requirements. This position also acts as a liaison between WSDA and licensing clients, the general public, and regulatory state agencies on complex pesticide licensing, recertification, and compliance issues.
Duties
Include, but not limited to:
- Explains and interprets complex regulations, policies forms, and other informational material to the regulated community and general public.
- Assists clients with finding applicable legal citations related to program activities and services.
- Responds to phone and email inquiries regarding licensing and recertification requirements, online classes, credit and course information.
- Provides assistance to compliance staff and other agencies with their enforcement related issues.
- Provides technical training through presentations and direct communications internal and external stakeholders.
- Manages weekly issuance of License Suspension Orders for the Division.
- Prepares, analyzes, and reviews reports for accuracy from the program database.
- Independently works with fiscal staff in handling and processing all internal agency payment and interagency journal vouches for the licensing program.
- Conducts pesticide licensing exam sessions based on the Program's established schedule, in coordination with other program needs, and as needed.
- Administers proper exams based on type of pest control performed by applicant.
- Calculates and accepts licensing and testing fees, processes licensing and testing fee payments, and issues receipts in accordance with agency fiscal procedures and policies.
- Establishes, updates, and manages electronic and paper files for licensees while maintaining confidentiality.
- Reviews and processes all new and existing applications for pesticide licensing.
- Drafts, finalizes, and transmits professional correspondence, as necessary, to complete the application process.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities will make your application more competitive:
Supplemental Information
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
How to apply:
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
Current resume detailing experience and education- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
- Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contributes to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best Customer Service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
