County of Alameda

DESCRIPTION

Under direction, the Agricultural and Standards Investigator III enforces state and federal laws and regulations and investigates violations of the California Food and Agricultural Code and the California Business and Professions Code. The Agricultural and Standards Investigator III enforces fruit, vegetable, egg and honey quality standards; inspects and tests all commercial weighing and measuring devices, inspects pre-packaged commodities for accuracy of weight, measure, or count; monitors a control and prevention program of vertebrate, weed and agricultural pest infestations; investigates consumer complaints and inspects and investigates point-of-sale transactions for accuracy; performs quarantine inspections; conducts pesticide use enforcement inspections and investigations to protect human health and the environment; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

Agricultural and Standards Investigator III is located in the Community Development Agency’s Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department which has various locations throughout Alameda County. The Agriculture and Standards Investigator III is the most advanced level of this series having extensive experience in conducting all types of complex investigations and inspections The Agricultural and Standards Investigator III is also responsible for monitoring and providing guidance to less experienced personnel and may act as lead in specific program areas requiring a higher level of expertise. The Agricultural and Standards Investigator III functions with less supervision than the Agricultural and Standards Investigator I and II, especially on routine work, and is expected to work more independently. Incumbents work under the direction of, and report to a Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures, or a higher-level classification within the Department.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification. However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1. Inspect fruits, nuts, vegetables, eggs and honey at point of origin, wholesale, or retail sites for compliance with standards; issue violation notices indicating required reconditioning and re-inspect for compliance; issue permits for disposal of agricultural products; and inspect produce for compliance with organic and direct marketing regulations.

2. Perform inspections of, and test various types of weighing devices, such as retail, industrial, livestock and vehicle scales for accuracy within established tolerances; inspect and test various types of measuring devices, including petroleum products, electric, vapor, water, LPG, bulk plant, vehicle tank, taximeters, and odometers.

3. Investigate complaints and possible violations or misrepresentations, collect evidence, and prepare written reports of findings; issue certificates of inspection and condemn or confiscate illegal equipment.

4. Inspect nurseries and seed dealers for insect pests, plant diseases and noxious weeds, and may specify control procedures.

5. Inspect range and farm land, roadsides, warehouses, etc., to ascertain the degree and extent of rodent infestation; determine appropriate control method to be used; apply rodenticides in a safe and effective manner; and assist with mixing, packaging and labeling of rodenticides.

6. Inspect and test pre-packaged goods for correct weight, measures or count, and for proper labeling; issue notices of violations as necessary; order short weight and measures packages off sale; inspect automated point-of-sale terminals, i.e. scanners, enforce federal, state and local codes; and inspect weigh-master records for accuracy and compliance with State Law.

7. Conduct surveys to locate infestations of noxious weeds, exotic insect pests and plant diseases; place and service insect traps; and respond to new pest infestations or threats, i.e. glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), vine mealy bug (VMB), sudden oak death (SOD).

8. Inspect plant materials and agricultural products shipped by common carriers for insect pests, plant diseases, weeds and for compliance with quarantines; specify disposition of illegal shipments.

9. Issue phytosanitary certificates for shipments of agricultural products to other states and countries.

10. Inspect applications of pesticides performed by licensed structural and agricultural pest control operators for compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

11. Cooperate with State personnel in the enforcement of State regulations regarding petroleum products and commodity advertising; and make undercover purchases in the course of investigations.

12. Inspect pesticide storage areas, records and application equipment and episodes of pesticide exposure; train pesticide users in proper application techniques and safety precautions; and issue permits for use of restricted pesticides.

13. Interpret Weights and Measures laws and regulations to merchants and the public.

14. Make presentations to organized groups regarding Agricultural or Weights and Measures programs.

15. Provide technical guidance and field train lesser experienced or new personnel, and may be expected to be lead in specific programs.

16. Assist in the preparation of criminal, civil and administrative actions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Either I
Experience:

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the class of Agricultural and Standards Investigator II in the Alameda County classified service. (Non-classified includes District Attorney’s Office, Hospital Authority, and the Consolidated Courts).

Or II
Experience:

The equivalent of four years full-time experience in the enforcement of agricultural laws, in agricultural pest control, or in the production, marketing, or processing of agricultural commodities; or experience in inspection, maintenance, repair or installation of measuring instruments or equipment. This experience must have been at a level comparable to an equivalent class of an Alameda County Agricultural and Standards Investigator II.

Special Requirements:

Possession of all eight of the following County Agricultural Biologist and County Weights and Measures Inspector licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture: Pesticide Regulation; Investigation and Environmental Monitoring; Commodity Regulation; Integrated Pest Management; Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; Weight Verification; Measurement Verification; and Transaction and Product Verification.

And

License:

Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. A Class A or B California State Motor Vehicle Operator's license is required when conducting vehicle and other heavy capacity scale inspections that require the use of the heavy capacity test truck and trailer.

NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the "Examples of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• Federal, state and local agricultural and weights and measures laws, regulations, procedures and practices and their application.
• Record keeping systems.
• Basic Entomology, Botany, Biology and Chemistry.
• Agricultural pests and their control.
• Elementary physics and arithmetic.
• All safety practices relating to weights and measures and agricultural activities.
• Principles, mechanics, and care of equipment and testing devices, and of methods and techniques of inspecting.
• Current agricultural and weights and measures issues.

Ability to:

• Learn, interpret, explain and enforce local, state and federal laws and regulations pertinent to the work.
• Utilize standard methods of inspection and identification.
• Use appropriate safety clothing and equipment.
• Collect and identify important pests.
• Use and maintain sensitive mechanical weighing and measuring devices and test standards.
• Develop and maintain an effective working relationship with co-workers, business contacts and the general public.
• Communicate orally, write effectively, and prepare complete and accurate reports, and records.
• Periodically perform strenuous physical tasks requiring a moderate degree of manual dexterity, which may involve lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Learn to operate specialized equipment (e.g. four-wheel drive vehicles, forklifts, all terrain vehicles, power sprayers, bait mixing and application equipment).
• Keep records and prepare reports.
• Provide technical guidance and training to lesser experienced personnel.
• Act as a program lead.
• Utilize standard methods of inspection and identification.
• Use appropriate safety clothing and equipment.
• Collect and identify insect pests.
• Use and maintain sensitive mechanical weighing and measuring devices.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY

Newspecs: 8420.doc
DRH:cs 1/7/11
CSC Date: 6/29/11
DRH:cs 5/16/14
CSC Date: 6/11/14

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Group Auto/Home Insurance
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.