Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector IV

The Agricultural Commissioner's office is seeking applicants for the Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector IV to fill two current vacancies and to establish a list to fill future vacancies.

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. A completed application must be postmarked or received online by the final filing deadline.

Final Filing Deadline: November 1, 2019

For full position details, please click on the link below:

Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector IV

(Agricultural Inspection)

1.  Supervises and participates in the inspection of a wide variety of items for compliance with plant quarantine regulations; determines and enforces the appropriate disposition of inspected items that do not conform to regulations.

2.  Supervises and participates in the inspection of a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to ensure compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality; inspects product samples, issues certificates of inspection, and restricts sale and movement of sub-standard items.

3.  Conducts surveys for pests not known to occur in this area and carries out eradication programs against introduced pests; inspects nurseries for pest cleanliness and compliance with minimum standards; inspects apiaries and abates diseased hives when necessary.

4.  Identifies and controls pests to protect crops and to determine and recommend the most efficient control measures; explains use of pesticides and other pest-control materials; conducts surveys if necessary; conducts experiments to determine effectiveness of various control measures.

5.  Enforces pesticide regulations to insure safety of handlers, field workers, public, crops and the environment; investigates complaints of damage from pesticide use and investigates pesticide-related illnesses; collects and prepares samples for laboratory analysis; assists in providing training and educational outreach to growers on pesticide safety and regulations.

6.  Advises the general public on agriculture-related matters and identifies plants, diseases, insects, and pests; explains the requirements of inter- or intra- state or country movement of plants and other agricultural produce.

7.  Participates in legal actions against growers, packers, shippers, farm workers, or others who do not comply with Food and Agriculture Code and subsequent regulations; participates in informal office hearings; collects and reports evidence of violations.

(Weights and Measures Inspection)

8.  Supervises and participates in the inspection and testing of the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices for compliance with established tolerances; condemns the use of commercial weighing and measuring devices not meeting required standards; issues and attaches seals to devices that meet required standards. 

9.  Measures the capacity of large tanks; conducts tests of meters used for registering dispensing of liquids, such as gasoline, oil and grease; places “out of order” tags on meters if defective and re-inspects meters after repair to insure that meter is correct; affixes seal as appropriate.

10.  Inspects packaged commodities, other goods and petroleum products for accuracy of weight or measure, correct labeling, and adherence to required specifications; verifies box tares at canneries and processing plants.

11.  Performs investigations of suspected illegal acts or unlawful practices concerning commercial weights and measures and collects available evidence; contacts and questions complainants and witnesses; provides information concerning cases for further legal or administrative action.

12.  Verifies Weighmasters’ licenses and determines whether certificates of weight are being issued correctly.

(All Assignments)

13.  Plans, assigns, and evaluates inspector workloads; evaluates projected workload, equipment, and supplies to determine budgetary needs and staffing levels.

14.  Provides training to lower-level inspection staff in specialized program(s).

15.  Directs, coordinates and participates in the gathering of information and the preparation of inspection and investigative reports; the compiling and maintenance of records; and the preparation of statistical reports.

16.  Cooperates with officials and regulators from other governmental agencies on joint operations; may conduct surveillance, certification, and/or quarantine inspections for other agencies as requested.  May testify in court.

License:  Possession of a valid California driver’s license.  If required by the nature of assignment, may be required to obtain a Class A or B driver’s license.

Special Requirements:  At the time of appointment, must possess valid licenses in all eight (8) statewide specific categories as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.  These are identified as follows:

a)    Pesticide Regulation;

b)    Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation;

c)    Investigation and Environmental Monitoring;

d)    Integrated Pest Management;

e)    Commodity Regulation;

f)     Weights Verification;

g)    Measures Verification; and

h)    Transaction and Product Verification.

Experience:  Five (5) years working as a state-licensed county agricultural inspector/biologist or weights and measures inspector, two (2) years of which must have been at a level equivalent to an Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector III in San Joaquin County service.

Substitution: Possession of a valid license as a County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture may substitute for two years of the general, non-equivalent Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector III years of experience.

Knowledge of:  Principles and practices of supervision and training; principles and practices of agriculture, including crops, soils, equipment and related items; principles and practices of horticulture, plant pathology and entomology; common pest vertebrates, insects, weeds, and other agricultural pests; common pesticides, traps, baits and other pest control measures, the laws, rules and regulations relating to the use of commercial weighing and measuring devices; methods and techniques used in verifying the accuracy of weighing and measuring devices within allowed tolerances; basic mathematics; basic experimentation procedures, including sampling, testing, control methods, and data collection; basic public relations; report writing practices.

Ability to:  Plan, organize, and administer field inspection operations, supervise, evaluate and train staff; read, understand, and interpret job-related material including technical and legal publications; enforce laws, regulations and guidelines firmly, tactfully, and impartially; make decisions on enforcement problems in accordance with established policies and procedures; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; establish and maintain effective relationships with those encountered during the course of work, including the public; prepare clear and concise reports; use and maintain various testing instruments and devices used in the weights and measures field; proficiently use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point computer programs.

Physical and Mental Requirements:  Mobility - Occasional operation of keyboards, sitting or standing for extended periods, climbing stairs or ladders, running or crawling; frequent walking, driving, pushing/pulling and bending/squatting; Lifting - Frequent lifting of 5 to 25 pounds; occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds; ability to lift and carry a 5-gallon container of liquid for a distance of 50 feet; Vision - Excellent overall vision including good color and depth perception with constant eye/hand coordination; frequent reading and close-up work; Dexterity - normal dexterity with constant holding; frequent reaching, grasping, repetitive motion and writing; Hearing/Talking - Constant hearing normal speech; frequent hearing and talking on the telephone/radio and in person; occasional hearing faint sounds; Emotional/Psychological - Constant concentration with frequent public contact and decision making; frequent exposure to hazardous materials and occasional exposure to emergency situations and heights;  Special Conditions - frequent exposure to outdoor conditions; may require frequent overtime, weekend or evening work, and working alone.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will go through the following examination process:

• Written Exam: The civil service written exam is a multiple choice format.  If the written exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list.
   
• Oral Exam:   The oral exam is a structured interview process that will assess the candidate’s education, training, and experience and may include a practical exercise.   The oral exam selection process is not a hiring interview.   A panel of up to four people will determine the candidate’s score and rank for placement on the eligible list.  Top candidates from the eligible list are referred for hiring interviews.  If the oral exam is administered alone, it will be 100% of the overall score.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% in order to be placed on the eligible list. 
   
• Written & Oral Exam:  If both a written exam and an oral exam is administered, the written exam is weighted at 60% and the oral exam is weighted at 40% unless otherwise indicated on the announcement.  Candidates must achieve a minimum rating of 70% on each examination in order to be placed on the eligible list.
   
• Rate-out:  A rate-out is an examination that involves a paper rating of the candidate’s application using the following criteria: education, training, and experience. Candidates will not be scheduled for the rate-out process. 

 Note:  The rating of 70 referred to may be the same or other than an arithmetic 70% of the total possible points.

Testing Accommodation:  Candidates who require testing accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) must call Human Resources Division at (209) 468-3370 prior to the examination date.   

Veteran’s Points:  Eligible veterans, unmarried widows and widowers of veterans of the United States Armed Forces who have been honorably discharged and who have served during wartime shall be given veteran’s points in initial appointment to County service.  Eligible veterans receive 5 points and eligible disabled veterans receive 10 points. Disabled veterans must submit a recent award letter stating a 10% service connected disability issued by the United States Veterans Administration.  Note:  A copy of your DD214 showing the discharge type must be received in the Human Resources by the date of the examination.

Acceptable wartime service dates:

• September 16, 1940 to December 31, 1946

• June 27, 1950 to January 31, 1955

• August 5, 1964 to May 7, 1975

• Persian Gulf War, August 2, 1990, through a date to be set by law or Presidential Proclamation.

Eligible Lists:   Candidates who pass the examination will be placed on an eligible list for that classification.  Eligible lists are effective for nine months, but may be extended by the Human Resources Director for a period which shall not exceed a total of three years from the date established.

Certification/Referral: Names from the eligible list will be referred to the hiring department by the following methods.

• Rule of the Rank: The top rank or ranks of eligibles will be referred for hiring interviews.  The minimum number of names to be referred will be equal to the number of positions plus nine, or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher.  When filling nine or more positions in a department at the same time, the top rank or ranks will be referred and the minimum number of names shall be two times the number of positions to be filled or 10% of the eligible list, whichever is higher. This applies only to open competitive recruitments.
• Rule of Five:  The top five names will be referred for hiring interviews.  This applies only to department or countywide promotional examination.

Physical Exam:  Some classifications require physical examinations. Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the physical examination. The County pays for physical examinations administered in its medical facilities.

Pre-Employment Drug Screening Exam:  Some classifications require a new employee successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen as a condition of employment.  Final appointment cannot be made until the eligible has passed the drug screen.  The County pays for the initial drug screen.

Employment of Relatives: Applicants who are relatives of employees in a department within the 3rd degree of relationship, (parent, child, grand parent, grand child or sibling) either by blood or marriage, may not be appointed, promoted, transferred into or within the department when;

• They are related to the Appointing Authority or

• The employment would result in one of them supervising the work of the other.

Department Head may establish additional limitations on the hiring of relatives by departmental rule.

Proof of Eligibility:  If you are offered a job you will be required to provide proof of U.S. citizenship or other documents that establish your eligibility to be employed in the U.S.

Apply Online:       

www.sjgov.org/department/hr

By mail or in person:  

San Joaquin County Human Resources

44 N. San Joaquin Street Suite 330

Stockton, CA 95202                                  

Office hours:               
Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm; excluding holidays.

Phone:  (209) 468-3370 

Job Line:

For current employment opportunities please call our 24-hour job line at (209) 468-3377. 

When a final filing date is indicated, applications must be filed with the Human Resources Division before 5:00 p.m. or postmarked by the final filing date. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of an application. Applications sent through county inter-office mail, which are not received by the final filing date, will not be accepted. (The County assumes no responsibility for mailed applications which are not received by the Human Resources Division).  

San Joaquin County Substance Abuse Policy: San Joaquin County has adopted a Substance Abuse Policy in compliance with the Federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988. This policy is enforced by all San Joaquin County Departments and applies to all San Joaquin County employees.

Equal Opportunity Employer:  San Joaquin County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer and is committed to providing equal employment to all without regard to age, ancestry, color, creed, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation or belief, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.  For more information go to www.sjgov.org/department/hr/eeo.