Ag and Standards Inspector I/II/III
Kings County, Hanford, CA, United States
About the Position
The Kings County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Office is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Agricultural and Standards Inspector I/II/III. This role involves hands‑on field work to protect local agriculture, enforce state and federal regulations, and ensure fair business practices across the county. As experience and licenses grow, the inspector will handle more independent and specialized assignments.
Responsibilities
Conduct field surveys and inspections in areas related to pesticide regulation, environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, commodity regulation, pest prevention, plant regulation, weight verification, measurement verification, and product verification.
Examine agricultural products at point of origin or at markets for compliance with standards; issue violation notices, provide required reconditioning instructions, and reinspect for compliance.
Investigate commodity fitness, recommend remedial measures, issue certificates of compliance or notices of non‑compliance, and conduct office hearings or issue citations.
Disseminate agricultural and weights and measures policies, legal requirements, and information; advise the public, community groups, government agencies, and private industry.
Conduct studies and reports such as annual crop statistics, pesticide illness investigations, statistical sampling surveys, and investigations of complaints and violations.
Examine plant materials in nurseries for insect pests, diseases, and noxious weeds; review and control procedures; inspect retail nursery stock for labeling.
Survey fields, orchards, gardens, mills, farmland, roadsides, warehouses, and farm buildings to locate pests and assess rodent infestations.
Develop and send surveys to locate infestations of noxious or poisonous weeds; assist in field surveys to determine the presence of insect pests, plant diseases, or parasites.
Inspect apiaries and equipment for disease, issue inspection certificates and permits for removal of apiaries, and direct appropriate disease control measures.
Respond to and investigate inquiries and complaints from the public; prepare appropriate responses.
Perform pesticide monitoring inspections for pre‑application, application, and field worker safety; inspect equipment, storage facilities, and review records.
Inspect plant material and agricultural products held by common carriers for insect pests, diseases, weeds, or weed seeds; issue certificates for approved material or recommend control methods.
Process requests for restricted materials permits; issue grower and site identification numbers; conduct inspections and prepare reports.
Inspect petroleum dispensing, electric, and vapor meters; livestock, vehicular, hopper, and small retail scales; linear measuring devices; and other weighing and measuring devices for adherence to state and federal laws and regulations.
Check packaged commodities for quantity control violations; inspect service stations for petroleum labeling compliance; perform weigh master inspections and audit records.
Pursue enforcement actions for suspected violations of agriculture or weight and measure regulations; gather evidence, prepare written reports, present evidence, and assist in case preparation for court or administrative hearings.
Issue notices of violation and follow up on cases to ensure resolution; assist in prosecutorial preparation and provide court testimony as required.
Collect data and statistical information necessary for monthly and annual reports to the state and other agencies.
Provide lead supervision to subordinate inspection personnel in the field as assigned.
Represent the department at meetings with governmental agencies, professional and community organizations, and the public; attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions.
Participate in public education efforts by giving presentations and conducting training sessions.
Provide training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
Agricultural and Standards Inspector I:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biological, chemical, or physical science; or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units in specified sciences; or up to two years of relevant experience may substitute for education.
Agricultural and Standards Inspector II/III:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biological, chemical, or physical science; or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units in the specified sciences.
Experience:
Agricultural and Standards Inspector I:
None required.
Agricultural and Standards Inspector II:
One year of experience at a level equivalent to Inspector I with Kings County.
Agricultural and Standards Inspector III:
One year of increasingly responsible experience at a level equivalent to Inspector II with Kings County.
Licenses and Certifications
Valid California driver’s license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Possession of a valid California Class A or B commercial driver’s license may be required for some positions.
Possession of a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector license within one year for Inspector I; five valid licenses for Inspector II; eight valid licenses for Inspector III as specified.
Authorized Certification Official (ACO) license required for Inspector II and III.
Special Requirements
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, mandatory overtime, and travel within and outside the county.
Depending on operational needs, incumbents may be required to handle and discharge firearms necessary for wildlife control.
Conditional offers require pre‑employment drug testing; ongoing testing may be required as a condition of employment.
EEO and Accessibility
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry‑level (I Level) positions.
Veteran’s Preference
Veteran’s preference is available upon request. Submit a certified DD‑214 and a new request form for each application prior to the closing date.
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The Kings County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Office is seeking a qualified individual for the position of Agricultural and Standards Inspector I/II/III. This role involves hands‑on field work to protect local agriculture, enforce state and federal regulations, and ensure fair business practices across the county. As experience and licenses grow, the inspector will handle more independent and specialized assignments.
Responsibilities
Conduct field surveys and inspections in areas related to pesticide regulation, environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, commodity regulation, pest prevention, plant regulation, weight verification, measurement verification, and product verification.
Examine agricultural products at point of origin or at markets for compliance with standards; issue violation notices, provide required reconditioning instructions, and reinspect for compliance.
Investigate commodity fitness, recommend remedial measures, issue certificates of compliance or notices of non‑compliance, and conduct office hearings or issue citations.
Disseminate agricultural and weights and measures policies, legal requirements, and information; advise the public, community groups, government agencies, and private industry.
Conduct studies and reports such as annual crop statistics, pesticide illness investigations, statistical sampling surveys, and investigations of complaints and violations.
Examine plant materials in nurseries for insect pests, diseases, and noxious weeds; review and control procedures; inspect retail nursery stock for labeling.
Survey fields, orchards, gardens, mills, farmland, roadsides, warehouses, and farm buildings to locate pests and assess rodent infestations.
Develop and send surveys to locate infestations of noxious or poisonous weeds; assist in field surveys to determine the presence of insect pests, plant diseases, or parasites.
Inspect apiaries and equipment for disease, issue inspection certificates and permits for removal of apiaries, and direct appropriate disease control measures.
Respond to and investigate inquiries and complaints from the public; prepare appropriate responses.
Perform pesticide monitoring inspections for pre‑application, application, and field worker safety; inspect equipment, storage facilities, and review records.
Inspect plant material and agricultural products held by common carriers for insect pests, diseases, weeds, or weed seeds; issue certificates for approved material or recommend control methods.
Process requests for restricted materials permits; issue grower and site identification numbers; conduct inspections and prepare reports.
Inspect petroleum dispensing, electric, and vapor meters; livestock, vehicular, hopper, and small retail scales; linear measuring devices; and other weighing and measuring devices for adherence to state and federal laws and regulations.
Check packaged commodities for quantity control violations; inspect service stations for petroleum labeling compliance; perform weigh master inspections and audit records.
Pursue enforcement actions for suspected violations of agriculture or weight and measure regulations; gather evidence, prepare written reports, present evidence, and assist in case preparation for court or administrative hearings.
Issue notices of violation and follow up on cases to ensure resolution; assist in prosecutorial preparation and provide court testimony as required.
Collect data and statistical information necessary for monthly and annual reports to the state and other agencies.
Provide lead supervision to subordinate inspection personnel in the field as assigned.
Represent the department at meetings with governmental agencies, professional and community organizations, and the public; attend meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions.
Participate in public education efforts by giving presentations and conducting training sessions.
Provide training to less experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
Perform related duties as assigned.
Education and Experience
Agricultural and Standards Inspector I:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biological, chemical, or physical science; or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units in specified sciences; or up to two years of relevant experience may substitute for education.
Agricultural and Standards Inspector II/III:
Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biological, chemical, or physical science; or a bachelor’s degree in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units in the specified sciences.
Experience:
Agricultural and Standards Inspector I:
None required.
Agricultural and Standards Inspector II:
One year of experience at a level equivalent to Inspector I with Kings County.
Agricultural and Standards Inspector III:
One year of increasingly responsible experience at a level equivalent to Inspector II with Kings County.
Licenses and Certifications
Valid California driver’s license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Possession of a valid California Class A or B commercial driver’s license may be required for some positions.
Possession of a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector license within one year for Inspector I; five valid licenses for Inspector II; eight valid licenses for Inspector III as specified.
Authorized Certification Official (ACO) license required for Inspector II and III.
Special Requirements
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation and fingerprint check.
Ability to work irregular hours, including evenings, weekends, mandatory overtime, and travel within and outside the county.
Depending on operational needs, incumbents may be required to handle and discharge firearms necessary for wildlife control.
Conditional offers require pre‑employment drug testing; ongoing testing may be required as a condition of employment.
EEO and Accessibility
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job. Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry‑level (I Level) positions.
Veteran’s Preference
Veteran’s preference is available upon request. Submit a certified DD‑214 and a new request form for each application prior to the closing date.
#J-18808-Ljbffr