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SalaryPlant Health Inspector
(2400011C)Compensation: Competitive Salary $52,936 - $69,950 Based on Experience
Who We Are:
ODA helps Ohioans in many ways including: supporting agriculture, protecting consumers, safeguarding plants and animals, and conserving natural resources. As a cabinet-level agency, we answer to the Governor, and we get a lot of stuff done! Ohio’s food and agriculture industry is huge, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. This success starts on the farm, but these aren’t your great grandpa’s farms! They may have started way back when, but many of Ohio’s more than 70,000 farms are modern, state-of-the-art operations that use technology to maximize production to feed our growing population.
ODA is located in Reynoldsburg on a beautiful, 158-acre campus. Parking is free and so are the amazing connections you will make with professionals who are known as the best in their field.
The Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Program regulates the use and distribution of pesticides and fertilizers in Ohio. Through routine inspections, staff members enforce the state laws and rules that govern these activities. We also respond to consumer complaints concerning pesticide and fertilizer misuse. In addition to these responsibilities, staff members conduct inspections for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in accordance with a cooperative agreement to ensure compliance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.
What We Do:
At ODA, we do a lot that helps a lot of people. That’s a pretty big deal! We make sure the meat and food you eat and the milk you drink is safe. We protect farmland and conserve our soil and water resources. We keep Ohio’s plants, crops, and livestock free of pests and disease. We house the state’s top food safety lab and serve as a hub for a statewide lab safety system. We make sure you get what you pay for through ensuring accurate weights and measures standards. We oversee Ohio’s fairs and make sure the amusement rides you love are safe. As a member of ODA’s family, you’ll be working with a team of the highest caliber, doing work that makes a difference to all Ohioans.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is currently seeking candidates for a Plant Health Inspector position in the Plant Health Division, Pesticides and Fertilizer Regulation program, headquartered in Allen, Crawford, Hancock, Hardin, Marion, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Van Wert or Wyandot county. The duties for the Plant Health Inspector position include but are not limited to:
- Independently conducts inspections of potential problems with manufacturing, use/misuse, storage or distribution of pesticides or fertilizers and determines compliance with United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) laws, regulations and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and state rules, regulations and applicable laws and takes necessary action
- Assists in updating and maintaining pesticide and fertilizer registration data system
- Receives written and verbal communication concerning pesticide and fertilizer product registrations
- Works under general supervision and assists with Section 18 and 24C pesticide registrations
- Receives written and verbal communications from consumers regarding pesticide and fertilizer questions and/or complaints
- Works with inspection supervisor and manager to assign complaints for investigation
- Provides technical assistance to inspectors regarding pesticide and fertilizer licensing and registrations under Ohio pesticide and fertilizer laws
- Conducts inspections of pesticide applicators, distributors and production facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal laws: conducts fertilizer-related inspections for registration of fertilizer manufacturers, distributors, and blenders of all agricultural, specialty and non-agricultural fertilizers
- Inspects sales records to ensure legal sale of restricted-use pesticides
- Inspects pesticide application records
- Observes pesticide applicators while applying pesticides
- Ensures proper licensing and product labeling of fertilizers and liming materials
- Inspects anhydrous ammonia storage sites and application equipment
- Performs marketplace inspections to ensure pesticide products are registered
- Gathers facts and assembles for use as evidence in hearings and/or prosecution
- Interviews and discusses licensure and compliance with establishments producing pesticides or pesticide- containing products
- Prepares reports of findings
- Monitors pesticide examinations of farmers and commercial applicators: verifies fertilizer tonnage reports
- Issues orders as necessary (e.g., stop sales, withdraw from distribution) when fertilizer or pesticide products are out of compliance
- Reviews product labels for compliance of applicable laws and regulations
- Provides presentations of regulatory issues and related topics.
- Performs other related duties as assigned
- Conducts investigations of citizen complaints regarding damage from pesticide applications
- Conducts routine sampling of various products (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, limestone, hydrated lime, burnt lime and industrial by-products)
- Submits samples to ODA Analytical Laboratory for analyses
- Provides testimony in administrative, civil and criminal proceedings
- Collects samples following chain of custody using USEPA protocol
This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.
What’s in it for you:
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
Medical Coverage
- Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
- Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.
Time Away from Work and Work/Life Balance
- Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
- 11 paid holidays per year
- Childbirth/Adoption leave
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System
- OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.
Deferred Compensation
- The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.
Maternity Benefits
- Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
- Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:
o Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.
o Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).
o Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.
o Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.
o Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.
- Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.
- Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
The State of Ohio is a drug-free Workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis).
Completion of undergraduate core coursework in agricultural field (e.g., agronomy, biology, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, environmental science)
AND 1 year experience in agricultural field commensurate with duties to be performed as described on the approved position description on file
AND 3 months experience in operation of personal computer
AND valid driver’s license.
OR equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Job Skills:Plant Health
Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.
(*)Developed after employment.
Unusual Working Conditions:
Works outside exposed to varying weather conditions; exposed to pesticides; exposed to machinery, dirt & dust; climbs heights of up to 130 feet; exposed to insects & subject to insect stings, ticks & poison ivy; exposed to angry hostile landowners; required to work in crawl spaces when conducting inspections; requires overnight travel.
Training & Development Required to Remain in Classification After Employment:
Must obtain federal credentials commensurate with program area to be assigned as per approved position description on file (e.g., USEPA, FIFRA, FDA, USDA ACO).
The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
The recommended candidate for this position will be required to take a drug screen as part of their approval process. A candidate who tests positive for illegal or improperly used controlled drugs will not be hired.
