Placer County

(Unclassified)

To plan, organize, direct, manage, and participate in the agricultural inspection, pesticide use enforcement, and weights and measures inspection activities within the Agriculture Department; to supervise wildlife services; to serve as Deputy Agricultural Commissioner and Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures per code and statutory requirements; to coordinate agricultural and weights and measures inspection activities with other departments; to provide highly complex staff assistance to the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.

The Manager level recognizes positions that provide full line and functional management responsibility for program areas within a department.

Receives administrative direction from the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.

Exercises direct supervision over professional, supervisory, technical, and clerical staff.

• In the absence of the Department Head, serve as the Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures as needed.
• Plan, organize, and direct agricultural inspections, pesticide use enforcement, weights and measures inspections, and wildlife services activities, including the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and procedures.
• Direct, oversee, and participate in the development of division work plans; assign work activities, projects, and programs; monitor work-flow; review and evaluate work products, methods, and procedures.
• Provide administrative oversight and support for the Farm Advisor.
• Perform agricultural inspections, pesticide use enforcement, and weights and measures inspections in especially difficult or complex situations or as a technical advisor to inspectors in the field; schedule, prepare, and conduct training sessions for technical staff.
• May act as staff to the County's Fish and Game Commission.
• Periodically prepare and submit regulatory reports to various agencies; review requests and issue a variety of permits and certificates including restricted material permits and qualified applicator certificates, and review pest control operator and grower pesticide use reports.
• Initiate and conduct investigations based on consumer complaints; enforce corrections and non-compliance and/or pursue civil action in particularly difficult or sensitive cases.
• Act as County Advocate for department administrative civil penalty hearings
• Assist in budget preparation, administration, and implementation; participate in the forecast of funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Recommend the appointment of staff; provide or coordinate staff training; conduct performance evaluations; recommend discipline; implement discipline procedures as directed.
• Represent the Department to outside agencies and organizations; participate in outside community and professional groups and committees; provide technical assistance to the Agricultural Commissioner/ Sealer as necessary.
• Research and prepare technical and administrative reports; prepare written correspondence.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, and the public using principles of good customer service.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Five (5) years of increasingly responsible experience in agricultural inspection, pesticide use enforcement, and/or weights and measures testing and inspection, including two (2) years of supervisory responsibility.

Training: Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in chemistry, agricultural, biological, or physical science, mathematics, or statistics; additional training in leadership, management, organizational development is desirable.

Required License or Certificate:

• Possession of California State Certificates as both a Deputy Agricultural Commissioner and a Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures.
• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of agricultural inspection, pesticide use enforcement, weights and measures testing and inspection, and detection and eradication of diseases and pests related to agricultural commodities.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building, and conflict resolution.
• Pertinent local, State, and Federal rules, regulations and laws.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of policy development.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and management.
• Budgeting procedures and techniques.
• Principles and practices of supervision, training, and staff management.
• Principles and practices of safety management.

Ability to:

• Organize and direct the operations of agricultural inspection, pesticide use enforcement, weights and measures inspection, and wildlife services activities within Agriculture Departments.
• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; intermittently analyze work papers, including budget and technical reports; interpret and evaluate staff reports and work products; understand, recall, and explain laws, regulations, codes, rules, policies, and procedures; problem solve division related issues; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks; focus on a single task for long periods of time.
• On a continuous basis, sit at a desk, in meetings and/or in a vehicle for long periods of time;  intermittently walk, stand, bend, stoop, squat, climb, kneel, reach, and twist when performing field inspections or training; perform simple and power grasping, fine manipulation, pushing, and pulling; see with sufficient visual acuity to perform essential job functions; use a telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate; maintain safety protocols when exposed to a dry atmosphere, grease, oil , pesticides, and stationary or moving machinery, equipment or vehicles; occasionally lift moderate weight.
• Perform the most complex work of the Division.
• Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions, and implement recommendations in support of goals.
• Gain cooperation through discussion and persuasion.
• Interpret and apply County and Department policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Prepare and administer a budget.
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Work odd or unusual hours including nights, weekends, and holidays.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.