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AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR I

(Pesticide Regulations)

Recruitment #24-002897-0001

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Introduction

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 Pesticide Regulation Section administers Maryland's Pesticide Applicator's Law, approves training courses in the handling, storage and use of pesticides, conducts examinations to determine that pesticide applicators are competent to follow prescribed pest control practices, enforces federal laws on the sale and use of pesticides, and investigates pesticide accidents or incidents and consumer complaints on pesticide misuse.

The work will be performed in the Lower Eastern Shore Maryland

GRADE

ASTD10

LOCATION OF POSITION

Maryland Department of Agriculture Headquarters - Annapolis, MD

The work will be performed in the Lower Eastern Shore Maryland

Employees will be assigned a state vehicle and inspection equipment to perform their duties.  In addition to conducting inspections in the assigned region, will occasionally make routine trips to headquarters in Annapolis for training, meetings and other purposes determined by the program.

Main Purpose of Job

Conducts announced or unannounced routine inspections and investigations to assure compliance with the MD Pesticide Applicator's Law Title 15, Department of Agriculture, Subtitle 05, Pesticide Use control Chapters 01 & 02, Code of Federal Regulations 40 parts through 173 and the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act by those individuals involved in the manufacture, production, sale, distribution, storage disposal and handling and use of pesticides. Enforcement Activities directly support the States Goal of ensuring the health and safety of all its citizens as well as protecting the environment, including the Chesapeake Bay

POSITION DUTIES

Duties include but are not limited to:

  • Schedules and conducts routine inspections and investigations and may assist a higher level inspector to complete inspections and investigations of pest control business, permitted public agencies, dealers, pesticide producing establishments, air and sea port, certified private applicators and individuals or organizations who apply, recommend or are involved with, or are exposed to pesticides to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations by comparing personal observations with established laws and regulations. 

  • Respond to consumer complaints as necessary with assistance from the Supervisor or Higher-level Inspectors make determinations if a violation has occurred. 

  • Prepares and completes reports and or investigative reports under guidance from Supervisor and/or higher-level Inspectors. Determine what evidence is needed to confirm that violations have been observed. 
  
  • As per the "MDA PRS Inspector's Manual and SOP for Inspector's" and the "EPA Pesticide inspector's manual; collects samples of pesticides, pesticide products and any other medium possible containing or contaminated with pesticides: documents and photographs conditions observed; recommends corrective actions to ensure compliance with the state and federal law and regulations. 

  • Assists in the training of Pest control businesses. public agencies, pesticide dealers, certified private applicators, private citizens and other organizations concerning state and federal laws and regulations. Administers examinations to persons seeking certification for private or commercial applicators. Testifies in departmental and EPA administrative hearings, criminal and civil proceedings. Attends and completes training for federal and State credentials. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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

Experience: One year of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in the 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 the required 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.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience conducting compliance inspections/investigations. 
  • Experience in making recommendations in correcting code violations. 
  • Experience in educating the public and other government regulated organizations.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

  • Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator license’s valid in the State of Maryland.
  • Employees will need to attain their Maryland Pesticide Applicator's Certificate within 1 year of employment.  

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Work may occur in dirty surroundings, or during adverse weather conditions, crawling under structures that may contain mud, water, spiders or snakes.. 
  • Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions which may result in injury such as: the need to crawl under houses or structures. This task may involve exposure to old wires, broken glass, nails or working with old pesticides ranging from slightly toxic to extremely toxic. 
  • Work involves special physical demands such as lifting 50 pounds or more, climbing ladders, etc. Examples include but are not limited to; lifting pesticide containers weighing up to 100 lbs., wearing Tyvek suits and respirators. SCBA can also result in heat stress and fatigue. Work may also include extensive travel in a vehicle. 
  • Inspectors must occasionally wear a respirator, goggles, gloves and Tyvek, gloves, aprons, boots and self- contained breathing apparatus.
  • Employees will need to attain their Maryland Pesticide Applicator's Certificate within 1 year of employment.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates may be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

Your application is part of the examination process. The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of this position. The rating will be based on the information provided on your application. Therefore, it is important you detail all experience and education related to this position completely and accurately.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Maryland Department of Agriculture  Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway,  Annapolis, MD  21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address.

Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application. 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). All paper applications must be received by the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.)

If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to Courtney Blackistone at courtney.blackistone1@maryland.gov.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

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




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