AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR II

To serve as a primary field representative for the Nursery Inspection Program within Maryland's Eastern Shore territory covering Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico. The main purpose of this position is to safeguard the state's nursery industry and natural resources by enforcing the Maryland Plant Pest Control Law and the Invasive Plant Law. This involves confirming licensure and performing inspections of nurseries and licensed plant dealers to identify, sample, and mitigate the spread of plant pests and diseases.

Perform routine inspections of certified nurseries and licensed plant dealers taking samples to the lab as needed to help ensure the health and viability of Maryland's plant industry. Visual inspections with samples taken of nursery stock are conducted to help identify plant pests, diseases, and other disorders, as well as the severity level, to make recommendations to nursery managers and plant dealers.

Determine that compliance parameters of the Maryland Plant Pest Control Law and Invasive Plant Law are met by nurseries and plant dealers. Verify that all nursery stock meets state health standards prior to sale and that prohibited plants are not offered for sale. Determine if plants sold or plant health condition warrants the issuance of a stop sale or condemnation seizure notice.

Report on and maintain records and data of inspections completed. Maintain precise, legible records of inspection reports, lab results, and regulatory actions taken. Utilize departmental databases and written forms, as applicable, to document all findings related to those inspections conducted.

Assist other Plant Protection and Weed Management section personnel in the conduct of their work on other projects and activities in other areas of the state. Provide support to other Maryland nursery inspectors in other territories for emergency assistance related to pest detection, management and eradication efforts.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in care and management of animals; animal disease control; care or management of livestock or inspecting veterinary hospitals, riding stables or livestock dealers; installation, inspection, repair, or testing of weighting, volumetric measuring or counting devices; inspecting labeling and packaging; pesticide sales, use, regulation, or application; production, maintenance or inspection of a tree plantation or nursery stock; pest or weed control; wildlife population censuring; or the production, sales, inspection or testing of seed or turf products.

Notes:

1. Applicants may substitute fifteen credit hours in agriculture; animal, biological, environmental, food or physical sciences; chemistry; mathematics; engineering, or law enforcement at an accredited college or university for each year of experience for up to two years of experience. 

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience non-commissioned officer in quality assurance, inspection and grading classification or quality assurance, inspection and grading specialty codes in the agricultural commodity grading field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.  

Preference will be given to applicants who possess any of the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

Experience in entomology, horticulture, forest or forest pest management, invasive plant management or other forestry or ornamental tree experience.

Experience with performing inspections of certified nurseries or plant retail licensed dealers.

Experience working in a field setting collecting samples, surveying inventory of certified nurseries or plant retail dealers.

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.  The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

Please report on all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree, transcript, and major on your application, if applicable. 

For education obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the United States, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from one of the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at http://www.naces.org/members.html.  Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.  Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report on all experience and education that is related to this position.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office - Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD  21401. All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.

It is important that all experiences be fully documented. Failure to ANSWER ALL SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AND ACCURATELY may cause the candidate to be rejected.

PLEASE FILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY.

➢ The application is part of the examination process. Your answers will determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the selection process.

➢ Clearly describe your qualifications in detail. Credit cannot be given for education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities that you fail to indicate.

➢ Do not leave any answer spaces blank; if a question does not apply, write "N/A".

➢ Although you may attach a resume to further describe your qualification, it does not substitute for completing the application form. An incomplete application form may result in disqualification. Do NOT write "see resume" in your work history or responses to supplemental questions.

➢ Failure to comply with these instructions may result in disqualification.

➢ Read the Job Announcement carefully for specific filing instructions, supplemental questions, and final filing dates. 

If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.  If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Stacey Summers 410-841-5840 or mda.humanresources@maryland.gov.  TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.