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Ag Biologist/Standards Inspector I

Recruitment #0824-RA0175-AC

Approximate Salary

$4,617.58 - $5,612.70/month

Opening Date

8/15/2024 5:00:00 PM

Closing Date

10/9/2024 11:59:00 PM

Employment Type

Full-Time

Analyst

Heidi Sharp

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Introduction

This recruitment is being used to fill multiple vacancies within the San Joaquin County Department of Agriculture, and to establish a list that may be used to fill future vacancies.

Potential new hires into this classification are required to successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and a background investigation as a condition of employment. Final appointment cannot be made unless the eligible has passed the drug screen and successfully completed the background process. The County pays for the initial drug screen.

AG BIO I - 0824 by Employment Services Team

TYPICAL DUTIES

(Agricultural Inspection)

Learns to inspect a wide variety of items for compliance with plant quarantine regulations; learns to determine and enforce the appropriate disposition of inspected items that do not conform to regulations.
Learns to inspect a wide variety of agricultural produce, eggs, and other related items to ensure compliance with regulations and minimum standards for quality; learns to inspect product samples, issue certificates of inspection, and restrict sale and movement of sub-standard items.
Learns to conduct surveys for pests not known to occur in this area and to carry out eradication programs against introduced pests; learns to inspect nurseries for pest cleanliness and compliance with minimum standards; learns to inspect apiaries and abate diseased hives when necessary.
Learns to identify and manage 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.
Learns to enforce pesticide regulations to ensure safety of handlers, field workers, public, crops and the environment; learns to investigate complaints of damage from pesticide use and to investigate pesticide-related illnesses; collects and prepares samples for laboratory analysis; assists in providing training and educational outreach to growers on pesticide safety and regulations.
Learns to advise the general public on agriculture-related matters and to identify plants, diseases, insects, and pests; explains the requirements of inter- or intra- state or country movement of plants and other agricultural produce.
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)

Learns to inspect and test the accuracy of commercial weighing and measuring devices for compliance with established tolerances; learns to condemn the use of commercial weighing and measuring devices not meeting required standards; issues and attaches seals to devices that meet required standards.
Learns to measure the capacity of large tanks; learns to conduct 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 ensure that meter is correct; affixes seal as appropriate.
Learns to inspect packaged commodities, other goods and petroleum products for accuracy of weight or measure, correct labeling, and adherence to required specifications; learns to verify box tares at canneries and processing plants.
Learns to perform investigations of suspected illegal acts or unlawful practices concerning commercial weights and measures and to collect available evidence; contacts and questions complainants and witnesses; provides information concerning cases for further legal or administrative action.
Learns to verify Weighmasters’ licenses and determine whether certificates of weight are being issued correctly.

(All Assignments)

Gathers information and prepares inspection and investigative reports; compiles and maintains records; prepares statistical reports.
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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor’s degree agriculture, biological, chemical, physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines as described in California Food & Agricultural Code Section 2106.

License: Possession of a valid California driver’s license. Depending on the nature of the assignment, may be required to obtain and maintain a Class A or Class B Commercial Driver License.

Special Requirements: As a condition of continued employment, must possess or obtain at least three (3) valid statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture within twelve months of appointment. The category licenses that can be obtained to meet this requirement are identified as follows:

a) Pesticide Regulation;

b) Investigation and Environmental Monitoring; and

c) Weight Verification.

Note: This requirement shall be waived for individuals employed within the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner in the San Joaquin County class of Agricultural Biologist/Standards Inspector I upon implementation of classification study #24-004 by the Civil Service Commission.

KNOWLEDGE

Basic principles and practices of agriculture including crops, soils, equipment and related items; basic 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

Read, understand, and interpret job-related material including technical and legal publications; enforce laws, regulations and guidelines firmly, tactfully, and impartially; make decisions on routine 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; learn to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power Point computer programs.

PHYSICAL/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.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

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 Equal Employment Opportunity Division (sjgov.org).

Accommodations for those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA):

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

BENEFITS

Employees hired into this classification are members of a bargaining unit which is represented by SEIU Local 1021.

Health Insurance: San Joaquin County provides employees with a choice of three health plans: a Kaiser Plan, a Select Plan, and a Premier Plan. Employees pay a portion of the cost of the premium. Dependent coverage is also available.

Dental Insurance: The County provides employees with a choice of two dental plans: Delta Dental and United Health Care-Select Managed Care Direct Compensation Plan. There is no cost for employee only coverage in either plan; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

Vision Insurance: The County provides vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP). There is no cost for employee only coverage; dependent coverage is available at the employee’s expense.

For more detailed information on the County’s benefits program, visit our website at www.sjgov.org under Human Resources/Employee Benefits.

Life Insurance: The County provides eligible employees with life insurance coverage as follows:

1 but less than 3 years of continuous service:                  $1,000
3 but less than 5 years of continuous service:                   $3,000
5 but less than 10 years of continuous service:                 $5,000
10 years of continuous service or more:                         $10,000

Employee may purchase additional term life insurance at the group rate.

125 Flexible Benefits Plan: This is a voluntary program that allows employees to use pre-tax dollars to pay for health-related expenses that are not paid by a medical, dental or vision plan (Health Flexible Spending Account $2550 annual limit with a $500 carry over); and dependent care costs (Dependent Care Assistance Plan $5000 annual limit).

Retirement Plan: Employees of the County are covered by the County Retirement Law of 1937. Please visit the San Joaquin County Employees’ Retirement Association (SJCERA) at www.sjcera.org for more information. NOTE: If you are receiving a retirement allowance from another California county covered by the County Employees’ Retirement Act of 1937 or from any governmental agency covered by the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS), you are advised to contact the Retirement Officer of the Retirement Plan from which you retired to determine what effect employment in San Joaquin County would have on your retirement allowance.

Deferred Compensation: The County maintains a deferred compensation plan under Section 457 of the IRS code. You may annually contribute $22,500 or 100% of your includible compensation, whichever is less. Individuals age 50 or older may contribute to their plan, up to $30,000. The Roth IRA (after tax) is also now available.

Vacation: Maximum earned vacation is 10 days each year up to 3 years; 15 days after 3 years; 20 days after 10 years; and 23 days after 20 years.

Holidays: Effective July 1, 2017, all civil service status employees earn 14 paid holidays each year. Please see the appopriate MOU for details regarding holidays, accruals, use, and cashability of accrued time.

Sick Leave: 12 working days of sick leave annually with unlimited accumulation. Sick leave incentive: An employee is eligible to receive eight hours administrative leave if the leave balance equals at least one- half of the cumulative amount that the employee is eligible to accrue. The employee must also be on payroll during the entire calendar year.

Bereavement Leave: 3 days of paid leave for the death of qualifying family member, 2 additional days of accrued leave for death of employee’s spouse, domestic partner, parent or child.

Merit Salary Increase: New employees will receive the starting salary, which is the first step of the salary range. After employees serve 52 weeks (2080 hours) on each step of the range, they are eligible for a merit increase to the next step.

Job Sharing: Employees may agree to job-share a position, subject to approval by a Department Head and the Director of Human Resources.

Educational Reimbursement Program: Eligible employees may be reimbursed for career-related course work up to a maximum of $850 per fiscal year. Eligible employees enrolled in an approved four (4) year College or University academic program may be reimbursed up to $800 per semester for a maximum of $1600 per fiscal year.

Parking Supplemental Downtown Stockton: The County contributes up to $20 per pay period for employees who pay for parking and are assigned to work in the Downtown Core Area.

School Activities: Employees may take up to 40 hours per year, but not more than eight (8) hours per month, to participate in their children’s school activities.

HOW TO APPLY

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.