Agricultural Biologist / Weights & Measures Inspector I

Salary: $5,079.80 - $6,807.42 Monthly

Location : Weaverville, CA

Job Type: Full-Time

Job Number: 202300059

Department: AG- Weights and Measures

Opening Date: 05/06/2024

Closing Date: Continuous

Definition

Under general supervision, performs inspections, conducts investigations, and enforces pertinent provisions of the California Codes of Food & Agriculture, Business & Professions, and Regulations as well as local ordinances and Federal laws and regulations; performs related work as assigned.

Examples of Important and Essential Duties

EXAMPLES OF IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES (The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

• Examines agricultural commodities at point of origin or at markets for compliance with standards, issues permits or notices of violation for movement, reconditioning, or disposal of commodities that are out of compliance.
• Examines plant materials in nurseries, in fields, or other locations for insects, plant diseases, and noxious weeds; notes findings of inspections; oversees reconditioning or destruction of plant shipments; ensures compliance with import or export requirements.
• Certifies growers selling commodities at local farmers' markets; certifies farmers' markets; inspects eggs, vegetables, honey and other commodities at stores and markets.
• Conducts surveys, delimits, and maps invasive, noxious weeds, destructive insects, diseases, or other pests.
• Inspects apiaries and equipment for bee diseases or colony strength; may oversee mitigation of apiary diseases.
• Examines plant shipments held by common carriers for compliance with local, state, and Federal plant quarantines, seed laws, and weed regulations; issues rejection notices and certificates of compliance.
• Monitors pesticide applications for compliance with pertinent regulations to protect worker health, the environment, and the public; inspects pesticide equipment and storage facilities; reviews records of persons who use, sell, or transport pesticides.
• Issues permits for the use of restricted use pesticides; trains public and staff in the proper use of pesticides; may prescribe pesticides to control pests; audits use reports; investigates illnesses, crop damage, and other pesticide incidents.
• Inspects weighing and measuring devices, including small counter scales, platform scales, livestock scales, vehicle scales, retail fuel dispensers, electric meters, hydrocarbon vapor meters, liquefied petroleum gas meters, among others.
• Checks packaged goods for net content weights and volumes; enforces fair marketing and advertising practices.
• Pursues enforcement actions of violations of agricultural and/or weights and measures laws and regulations; gathers and assembles evidence; prepares written reports; assists in the preparation of cases; presents evidence.
• Conducts training sessions for the public and other groups relating to the pertinent fields of enforcement.
• Maintains departmental fiscal records, prepares budgets and financial reports for the county administration and Board of Supervisors.
• Gathers various statistical data necessary for timely completion of required monthly and annual reports; prepares such reports and submits them to appropriate agencies.
• Responds to public inquiries; investigates complaints; prepares appropriate responses.
• Treats noxious weeds mechanically, chemically, and/or culturally.

Desirable Qualifications

Knowledge of:

Provisions of the California Codes of Food & Agriculture, Business & Professions, and Regulations as well as local ordinances and pertinent provisions of Federal laws and regulations relating to the functions of the county offices of agricultural commissioner and sealer of weights & measures. Methods and techniques used in the inspection of plant materials, agricultural commodities, bees, seeds, weeds, and other related areas. Identification of crops, insects, garden plants, trees, plant disease symptoms, and vertebrate pests. Methods and techniques relating to inspection of weighing & measuring devices. Requirements for the investigation and enforcement of violations of pertinent laws and regulations. Legal concepts of due process, burden of proof, and rules of evidence. Establishment and maintenance of files and information retrieval systems. Office management methods and procedures. Budget development and control. Public and community relations. Purchasing methods and procedures. Statistical sampling. Record keeping and report preparation. Business mathematics related to calibration of weighing & measuring devices, package goods inspection, chemical application equipment, crop statistics and office accounting.

Ability to:

Interpret and explain California agricultural and weights & measures laws and regulations. Inspect agricultural commodities to ensure compliance with regulations. Inspect weighing & measuring devices. Maintain accurate records. Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, and other written documents. Collect, assemble, and analyze data gathered during inspections and investigations for enforcement actions. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with colleagues, clientele, cooperating agencies, and the public.

Other Requirements:

Must possess or have the ability to acquire a valid California Class C driver's license. Specified positions may require possession of a California Class A or Class B driver's license to operate certain heavy equipment or vehicles.

Must obtain licenses issued by the California Departments of Food & Agriculture and Pesticide Regulation in agricultural biology and weight and measures inspection as detailed below.

Training and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the requisite knowledge and skills outlined above is graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with major course work in agriculture, biology, chemistry, engineering or related fields, or its equivalent, plus the following:

Agricultural Biologist / Weights & Measures Inspector I: In addition to the above the incumbent must obtain one (1) full inspection license issued by the California Departments of Food and Agriculture or Pesticide Regulation in the fields of county agricultural biologist or county weights & measures inspector within the first six (6) months of employment.

Supplemental Information

Salary Information:
Agricultural Biologist / Weights & Measures Inspector I
$5,079.80 - $6,807.42* Month
$29.30* - $39.27* Hour

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