ADMINISTRATOR II SUPERVISOR

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch.  Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health , consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation.  As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow

The Weights & Measures Program directly benefits all Marylanders by ensuring the fairness of all commercial transactions involving determinations of quantity on everyday commodities.  Currently Weights & Measures program have several career opportunities throughout Maryland where you will learn to conduct inspections and regulate devices used in determining the quantity of commodities as diverse as fuel oil, food products, livestock, grain, and precious metals.

The major areas of responsibility include: 

(a) Manage and direct the weighing device program to ensure that all weighing devices used in the state for commercial transactions comply with the Weights and Measures Law and Regulations. 

(b) Manage and direct the package and labeling program to ensure all packaged commodities offered for sale comply with Weights and Measures Law and regulations. This includes oversight that pertains to the recognized method of sale for commodities. 

(c) Service Agent/Technician Registration Program - To assist with the registration and regulation of scale service agent companies and repair technicians in a statewide program. To ensure volumetric standards utilized by industry are traceable to the NIST 105 series. 

(d) Grain Lab management and oversight - to ensure that the creation of standards used to certify grain moisture meters throughout the state is unified and follows guidelines provided by NIST. 

The incumbent exercises full supervisory authority over a Compliance Inspector Supervisor and provides secondary oversight to field staff. Contact with various entities such as owners, store managers, corporate officials and trade groups as necessary to ensure compliance and address questions and issues that arise. In addition, the activities of this position ensure that the Chief of Weights and Measures is kept abreast of and responds to developments at the state, national, and international level as they relate to these areas. 

Exercises independent over day to day operations of the four major statewide programs, making determinations on workflow and resource allocation. In the absence of the Chief of Weights and Measures may assume some or all of his duties when deemed necessary.

• Directs and manages the statewide Weighing Device and Packaging and Labeling programs to ensure compliance with Title 11-203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland. 
• Research, develops, updates Examination Procedures Outlines (EPOs) and official test procedures to establish proper inspection methods and safety guidelines for statewide use. 
• Establishes statewide operational priorities and organizes work assignments for one Compliance Inspector Supervisor and field personnel (Compliance Inspector I through Advanced) 
• Audits and reviews inspection reports and testing procedures to ensure statewide uniformity, technical accuracy, and adherence to legal mandates. 
• Coordinate strategic work plans to ensure efficient deployment of staff resources for statewide regulatory coverage. 

Regulatory Administration: Service Agency Program 

• Administers the Scale Registered Service Agency Program in accordance with COMAR 15.03.11. 
• Develops and administers training and competency testing for new scale service technician applicants; maintains all official electronic records, test data, and NIST-traceable field standard certifications. 
• Manages the "Placed in Service" reporting process by reviewing and assigning reports to field staff for follow-up verification. 
• Oversee the biennial renewal process and fiscal workflow for registered service agencies, ensuring accurate collection and tracking of registration fees and civil penalties. 
• Investigates and addresses regulatory violations within the service agency industry. 
• Makes recommendations for the assessment of civil penalties and drafts letters and charging documents for review by the Chief of Weights and Measures and the Secretary of Agriculture. 

Law Enforcement & Regulatory Authority 

• Exercises independent enforcement authority to initiate formal civil actions and legal proceedings against individuals or firms found in violation of the Maryland Weights and Measures Law. 
• Determines the severity of regulatory violations and takes responsibility for drafting complex civil penalty documents and legal notices.  
• Serves as the Agency's designated Expert Witness in court proceedings and administrative hearings, providing technical testimony to support state enforcement actions. 
• Conducts final administrative reviews of violation evidence to ensure all enforcement is consistent with state statutes and the Maryland Agriculture Code. 
• Directs the investigation of consumer complaints regarding weight, tare, or method of sale; ensures all investigations are resolved and formally closed within established timeframes. 

Technical and Policy Development & External Liaison 

• Directs Grain Lab operations to ensure grain moisture meters meet NIST guidelines along with managing the statewide inspection and verification schedule for grain moisture meters. 
• Serves as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to develop documentation and recommendations for legislative amendments or regulatory changes to State Law and COMAR. 
• Develops and delivers technical presentations and informative programs to industry groups, trade associations, and service organizations concerning weighing devices and price verification. 
• Proctors and participate n NCWM professional certification exams and provides technical information to private industry personnel on complex inspection procedures. 
• Attends and represents the Agency during national and regional meetings. May serve on a standing committees and task forces for the National Council on Weights and Measures (NCWM) and SWMA to influence national and international regulatory standards. 

Personnel Management & Supervision 

• Functions as the primary supervisor for the scale, package and labeling program, exercising full administrative and operational authority over a Compliance Inspector Supervisor and indirect field staff. 
• Directly responsible for the development of performance standards and the completion of Performance Evaluation Plans (PEPs) for subordinate staff. 
• Identifies and directs specialized technical training needs both in-house and in the field to maintain staff competency in complex inspection procedures. 
• Participate in the recruitment and selection process by interviewing candidates and making recommendations. Reviews inspectors work and inspections reports including return inspection list and consumer complaints assignment list and address discrepancies. 
• Makes recommendations for promotions or disciplinary action to the Appointing Authority.