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AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR II

Recruitment #25-002889-0001

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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 MDA Animal Health Program prevents and controls infectious and contagious diseases in Maryland livestock and poultry with particular emphasis on those diseases that threaten public health, endanger food supplies or threaten the economic security of the animal industries.

GRADE

ASTD12

LOCATION OF POSITION

Position is based out of MDA HQ in Annapolis but will also require statewide travel.

Main Purpose of Job

This contractual position serves primarily to conduct inspections of animals and animal facilities and assist other Animal Health Personnel in implementation and administration of Animal Health programs for the Department of Agriculture to support the Agency's mission to prevent, detect, and control infectious and contagious diseases in livestock and poultry and promote animal health and productivity. Primary duties in support of the mission include inspections, investigations of animals and animal facilities; sample collection and delivery; and enforcement of Animal Health regulations.

POSITION DUTIES

Job Duties include but are not limited to the following: 
  • Inspects, tests, and collects samples from animals and animal facilities, including auction markets, licensed livestock and poultry dealers, shows, exhibitions, sales, and other constituents for compliance with agency protocols and regulations. 
  • Consults with other Animal Health employees to determine appropriate response to inspection findings, including those of a controversial nature. Submits samples and documentation as required, including internal inspection reports. Examines animals, animal identification, and official documents (CVI’s, Coggins, breed registration papers, etc.) at exhibitions, fairs, and shows for compliance with Agency regulations and responds to deficiencies as needed. Follows all Animal Health sanitation and biosecurity procedures when conducting field work. 
  • Conducts disease investigations for rabies, reportable diseases, and other poultry and livestock diseases and welfare events as assigned, and initiates hold orders and hold order rescindments when warranted. 
  • Assists in support of the administration of multiple Animal Health programs as assigned, such as the fair and show inspection program, Animal Disease Traceability program, the Secure Milk Supply, Secure Egg Supply, Contagious Equine Metritis, National Poultry Improvement Program, Swine Health Improvement Program and other Animal Health programs 
  • Responds and triages duty calls when assigned by duty veterinarian/after hours veterinarian or field veterinarian and follows agency protocols for recording and reporting all pertinent information.
  • Reviews Animal Health program policies and regulations as assigned and makes recommendations for changes to Animal Health veterinarians. Reviews, updates, and develops standard operating procedures for field personnel as assigned. 
  • Serves as an agricultural responder for incident response.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.  

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience dealing with large animals; specifically livestock 
  • Experience working in the field of Animal Agriculture Veterinary technician/assistant or Animal Husbandry experience (blood draws, injections, fecal sampling, etc.)
  • Experience with livestock regulatory testing programs (Brucellosis, Tuberculosis, EIA, etc.)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification will be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator license’s valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Employees in this classification may be assigned to any county or region of the State and may be required to establish residence within their assigned geographic area. 
  • Employees will be assigned 24 hour on call status periodically and can involve periodic emergency duty any time, night or day. Some weekend and evening duty required (fair & show inspections, urgent field investigations, incident response). May involve occasional overnight travel in and out of state. This is a Continuity of Operations Emergency Essential employee. 
  • Duties involve working in all kinds of weather and temperatures, unpleasant odors and other harsh environmental conditions. Field and animal emergency work may require working outdoors in inclement conditions, outside normal work hours and working with unpleasant people. 
  • Duties involve working around and with farm animals which can cause injury by kicking, biting, lunging, etc. Some farm equipment used in handling livestock also has potential for bodily injury. Duties may involve physical hazards of large animals and their environments. Duties may require operating vehicles and equipment in inclement weather. Work may involve equipment required to produce rapid animal death such as drugs, chemicals, mechanical equipment and firearms. 
  • Duties may, on occasion involve using heavy equipment such as gates, chutes and  decontamination gear, passing a Pulmonary Function Test, wearing a respirator, restraining large animals and loading supplies. Safe Restraint of large animals; lifting and handling awkward and heavy equipment used in the field and laboratories; agility such as climbing fences, gates, etc.

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 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.

BENEFITS

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program, have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

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 MDA Human Resources at mda.humanresources@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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