Ag Biologist/Wts & Measures Inspector (Trainee/Journey/Senior)

Come grow with us!

The Office of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures is a regulatory agency. Working cooperatively with various federal, state and local agencies, Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures programs are regulatory-based and geared toward local enforcement and compliance with agricultural, environmental and marketplace laws and regulations. The goal is to provide protection of consumers, the agricultural industry, and the environment while encouraging the continuity of agricultural trade and commerce.                                                                 

The mission of the Agriculture Department is to promote and protect the agricultural industry and to protect public health and the environment. The Agricultural Commissioner enforces laws and regulations that assure the continuity of agricultural trade and commerce. The Sealer of Weights and Measures enforces laws and regulations associated with transactions involving a count, weight or measure to ensure fair trade and equity in the marketplace.

To learn more about the Agriculture Department please visit:
http://www.solanocounty.com/depts/agriculture/default.asp

The Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspector Trainee promotes and protects agriculture while ensuring a safe, affordable and abundant food supply and environmental protection through enforcement of State laws and regulations; ensures equity in the marketplace through enforcement of laws and regulations associated with transactions involving a count, weight or measure; performs inspections and pest detection; enforces pesticide use; maintains related records; issues violation notices, and recommend hearings or prosecutions.

The Ag Biologist/Weights and Measures Inspector (Journey) independently perform daily assignments in their areas of licensing within the assigned program and assist others in areas in which licensing has not yet been attained.  Incumbents may be assigned to multiple program areas, and may assume responsibility for ensuring that program components are completed in a timely manner by program staff. This class requires extensive public contact in enforcement of laws and regulations.

The Ag Biologist/Weights and Measures Inspector (Senior) is the advanced journey/lead level Inspector and use considerable independent judgment and discretion in performing agricultural/weights and measures inspection and enforcement work. Senior Inspectors act as a lead worker for Inspectors on special projects. Senior Inspectors may be responsible for all areas of work in an assigned geographical area.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Ag Biologist/Weights and Measures Inspector (Trainee):

Experience: No experience is required;

AND

Education: Must be qualified to take the County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist examination administered by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture (see California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Section 105) which requires either:

• Possession of one or more valid statewide specific category licenses as a County Inspector/Biologist (e.g., in Pesticide Regulation; Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; Investigation and Environmental Monitoring; Integrated Pest Management; or Commodity Regulation); OR
• Possession of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in either: (A) one or more appropriate disciplines in agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences; or (B) any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the disciplines of agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics.

To view the job description for this position, please visit

https://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16050

Ag Biologist/Weights and Measures Inspector (Journey):

Experience: One year in inspection, pest detection, pest prevention, and weights and measures enforcement activities equivalent to the Agricultural Biologist/Weights and Measures Inspector Trainee level.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents must possess both of the following specific category licenses of eligibility as a County Inspector/Biologist issued by the California Department of Food & Agriculture:

a)      Pesticide Regulation; and

b)      Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation; 

and must also possess one of the following County Weights/Measures Inspector licenses issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture:

a)      Weights Verification; or

b)      Measurement Verification.

Possession of or ability to obtain a valid Class C or higher level California driver's license is required.  Some assignments may require incumbents to obtain a valid Class A California driver’s license.

To view the job description for this position, please visit

https://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16051

Ag Biologist/Weights and Measures Inspector (Senior):

Experience: Two (2) years of work experience equivalent to an Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspector in a California Agricultural Commissioner’s Office, including experience in inspection, pest detection, pest control, pest prevention, consumer protection, and agricultural enforcement activities.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Incumbents must possess all of the following eight (8) licenses of eligibility as an Agricultural Biologist/Inspector and Weights/Measures Inspector issued by the California Department of Food & Agriculture:

§  Pesticide Regulation; 

§  Pest Prevention & Plant Regulation;

§  Investigation & Environmental Monitoring;

§  Integrated Pest Management;

§  Commodity Regulation;

§  Weights Verification; Measurement Verification;

§  and Transaction and Product Verification. 

Incumbents must also possess accreditation as an Authorized Certification Official for Federal Phytosanitary Certification.

Possession of a valid Class C or higher California driver's license is required. Some assignments may require a valid Class A California driver’s license.

To view the job description for this position, please visit

https://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16049

 The eligible lists established from this recruitment will be used to fill full-time and part-time regular, limited-term or extra-help positions as vacancies occur or the need arises.

Solano County offers a cafeteria-style medical package with health benefits, offered through CalPERS. The County contribution for family coverage is $1,671.27 per month for 2022. The County offers a cash back provision for those who choose employee-only or who waive medical insurance coverage. The County may offer a supplemental contribution for employees enrolled in Employee plus Two or More coverage.  

Dental and vision insurances for the employee and eligible dependents are paid 100% by the County.   

Solano County participates in CalPERS retirement and contributes to Social Security.

The County observes 12 full day fixed and 2 half day fixed paid holidays per year. Additionally, employees in this bargaining unit receive 2 floating paid holidays per year.                     

Vacation is accrued at approximately 10 days per year for the first 3 years.

Sick leave accrues at approximately 12 days per year. 

Employees are eligible to receive an additional 2.5% longevity pay, per level, after the completion of continuous service at 10, 20, 25, 30 and 35 years.

To view the benefits for a regular position, please visit: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16512  

Extra-help employees who work less than 29 hours per week do not typically receive or accrue benefits of regular employees during their period of employment. All extra-help employees accrue .034 hours of Paid Time Off for every full hour worked.

To view the benefits for an extra-help position, please visit:  http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?blobid=16516 

CULTURE OF LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT

Solano County is committed to “Invest In and For the Future” by providing training resources to encourage employee professional development and growth within our organization. While employed with Solano County, employees have the opportunity to pursue their career goals, interests, and develop the competencies on the Solano County Leadership Development Model by participating in the following programs:

• Tuition Reimbursement Program

• Annual Education Fair

• County Mentoring Program

• Leadership Academy

• Supervisory Trainings

• Skill Development Trainings

• Self-paced learning opportunities

12/6/2022 – Deadline to submit application and required documents.

Week of 12/26//2022 – Tentative week for department interviews for most qualified candidates.

Based on the information provided in the application documents, the qualified applicants may be invited for further examination and will either be pre-scheduled by the Department of Human Resources or be invited to self-schedule. All applicants meeting the minimum qualifications are not guaranteed advancement through any subsequent phase of the examination. Depending upon the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of an initial application screening, a mandatory information meeting, a supplemental questionnaire assessment, a written and/or practical exam, an oral board exam, or any combination listed. Responses to supplemental questions may be used as screening and testing mechanisms and will be used to assess an applicant’s ability to advance in the process; as such, responses to supplemental questions should be treated as test examination responses. Information contained herein does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

A minimum score of 70% is required to continue in the selection process, unless otherwise announced.

All potential new hires and employees considered for promotion to management, confidential positions or unrepresented positions will be subject to a background and reference check after contingent job offer is accepted.  These provisions are subject to change.

RETIREES - Solano County invites all qualified candidates to apply for positions; however pursuant to Government Code Section 21221(h) and 21224, hiring restrictions may apply to California Public Sector Pension Plan Retirees.

Please visit the County of Solano website, www.jobsatsolanocounty.com, to apply. Applications must be submitted through the JobAps system. Paper copies of applications are not accepted. All additional application materials as requested in the job announcement (degree/transcripts, certificates, DD-214 if applicable, ADA Accommodation Request) must be submitted by the final filing date. Be sure to include the recruitment title (Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspector (Trainee/Journey/Senior) and the recruitment number (22-321030-02) in your email or fax.

Previously submitted application materials (e.g., copies of diploma and/or transcripts, etc.) for prior recruitments will not be applied for this recruitment but must be re-submitted for this recruitment.

Any further questions can be directed to the Department of Human Resources at (707) 784-6170, business hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. EOE/AA.

Please note that all dates/times listed in the job announcement are Pacific Time.

Licenses and/or a Bachelor's degree are required for this position.

All candidates must submit a copy of their licenses and/or college diploma (verifying the degree, date earned and area of specialization) or official/unofficial transcripts (verifying the date and degree conferred) by the final filing deadline. Candidates who fail to submit their diploma or transcripts by the final filing date will be disqualified from the recruitment.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Candidates who attended a college or university that is accredited by a foreign or non-U.S. accrediting agency must have their educational units evaluated by an educational evaluation service. The result must be submitted to the Human Resources Department no later than the close of the recruitment. Please contact the local college or university to learn where this service can be obtained.

How to Submit Your Documents

In addition to uploading attachments when applying online, candidates may submit documents by fax to (707) 784-3424, or by email to recruitment@solanocounty.com. Be sure to include the recruitment title (Agricultural Biologist/Weights & Measures Inspector (Trainee/Journey/Senior)) and the recruitment number (22-321030-02) in your email or fax subject line.

To be eligible, applicant must have served at least 181 consecutive days of active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States and have received either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions. A COPY OF THE DD 214, SHOWING DISCHARGE TYPE (GENERALLY COPY 4), MUST BE RECEIVED IN THE HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT BY THE FINAL FILING DATE. Applicants who have a service connected disability must also submit a recent award letter from the VA stating they are receiving disability benefits for service connected reasons. 

Veteran applicants for initial County employment with an honorable or general under conditions discharge shall receive five (5) points added to their combined score. Disabled veterans rated at not less than 30% disability shall have ten (10) points added to their combined score. Veteran’s preference points will only be added to passing scores in competitive open examinations.

It is the policy of Solano County that all employment decisions and personnel policies will be applied equally to all County employees and applicants and be based upon the needs of County service, job related merit, and ability to perform the job.

APPLICANTS WITH DISABILITIES: Qualified individuals with a disability, who are able to perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, and need an accommodation during any phase of the recruitment/testing/examination process (as detailed in the “Selection Process”), must complete the following Request for Testing Accommodation by Applicants with Disabilities Form: http://www.solanocounty.com/civicax/filebank/blobdload.aspx?BlobID=23215.

This form must be received in the Human Resources Department by the final filing date of the recruitment. Applicants will be contacted to discuss the specifics of the request.

Click here to take a video tour of Solano County. 

OUR COMMUNITY

Solano County is the ideal place to live, learn, work and play…  The America's Promise Alliance has named Solano County as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People for six straight years—the only California community with that distinction.

• Live – Solano County as well as cities within the County have ranked in the top 15 hottest markets across the country and within the Bay Area due to prime location and affordability.
• Learn – Higher education abounds! Within the County, education choices include: Solano Community College, CSU Maritime Academy, Brandman University, and Touro University. Bordering our County is the renowned University of California Davis.
• Work – The blend of agriculture, corporate business and pleasant lifestyle enhance the attraction of Solano County. Blessed with a thriving agricultural economy, the county is also home to biotechnology and other growth industries.
• Play - Situated midway between San Francisco and Sacramento—the State capitol, Solano County is home to rolling hillsides, waterfronts and fertile farmland. County residents can enjoy day trips to the San Francisco Bay area, Lake Tahoe region and the Napa and Sonoma Valleys.

County Population (2019): 447,643

The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this bulletin may be modified or revoked without notice. 

SOLANO COUNTY IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER