AGRICULTURAL, WEIGHTS AND MEASURES INSPECTOR I, II, III

Job Specifications

Class Code:	TG3/TG5/TG7
Analyst:	CE, MM, EM

Date Originated:	5/83
Date Revised:	8/83, 6/84, 1/86, 3/94, 9/97, 2/08, 12/14

COUNTY OF SANTA CRUZ

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, perform inspections to determine compliance with applicable laws and regulations in either agriculture or weights and measures; to conduct enforcement activities; evaluate permits and certificate requests; perform related investigations and public service functions; and perform related tasks as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Positions in these classes may perform both agriculture and weights and measures activities.

Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector I is the entry level or trainee class. After gaining experience and the required licenses, incumbents may be promoted to the class of Agriculture/ Weights and Measures Inspector II.

Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector II is the journey level classification in the series and requires additional licenses. Incumbents independently perform the full range of assignments in both agriculture and weights and measures in their licensed categories.

Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector III is the advanced journey level and performs the more difficult tasks in both agricultural or weights and measures in their licensed categories and may serve as lead worker to subordinate staff.

Incumbents may be assigned to one or more specialty fields such as: Pesticide Use Enforcement, Plant Quarantine, Lettuce Inspection, Scale Inspection, Quantity Control or other programs that require one or more licenses. Incumbents may be required to work in any program conducted by the Department now or in the future. The Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector series differs from the Agricultural Biologist and the Weights and Measures series in that the latter specializes in only one division. Incumbents in the former series may be assigned tasks in both divisions and are expected to be knowledgeable in most specialty fields.

TYPICAL TASKS

Conduct inspections in pesticide use, pest quarantine, pest detection, fruit and vegetable quality, nursery standards, weighing and measuring devices, packaged commodity quantity statements and fuel advertising; disseminate information to the general public, community groups, government agencies and private industry about Agricultural and Weights and Measures; investigate complaints of short weight or measure; conduct surveys to detect pests; may assist in nuisance abatement or pest control; conduct audits of required records; investigate pesticide complaints and illnesses, write investigative reports, letters and recommendations for appropriate enforcement action ranging from written notices to civil or criminal actions; analyze data; write reports and correspondence; make oral presentations to small and large groups; write informational publications and explain laws, regulations and policies to the public; evaluate pesticide

permit applications and notices of intent to apply pesticides; attend meetings and conferences, may serve as lead to less experienced staff.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Agricultural Weights and Measures Inspector I

Some knowledge of:

Biological, agricultural and physical sciences related to the tasks of the Department.

Agricultural Weights and Measures Inspector II

Working knowledge of:

Three disciplines which include both agricultural inspection and weights and measures inspection as determined by the Agricultural Commissioner.

Some knowledge of:

Enforcement powers and obligations pertaining to Agriculture and Weights and Measures.
Laws, regulations, ordinances and policies governing the work of the Department of Agricultural and Weights and Measures.
Departmental procedures and policies.

Agricultural Weights and Measures Inspector III

Working knowledge of:

Five disciplines which include both agricultural inspection and weights and measures inspection as determined by the Agricultural Commissioner.

Some knowledge of:

Supervision and training.

Ability to:

Abilities required of all positions, level I as trainee, level II as journey and level III as advanced journey/lead.
Interpret, explain and enforce applicable laws, regulations and procedures.
Inspect and test commercial weighing and measuring devices.
Recognize plant pests and diseases.
Investigate incidents or cases, such as pesticide illness or consumer complaints.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Deal effectively with irate individuals.
Work independently in the field.
Adapt to new work situations.
Keep records and prepare reports.
Drive a car or truck with a manual transmission.
Work outdoors in steep, bushy terrain, furrowed crop fields or orchards.
Discriminate color differences, such as to identify moths, insects and plants.
Lift up to 60 pounds from floor level, such as boxes full of lettuce.
Use a microscope.
Effectively present material in oral and written form.
Train and serve as lead worker to less experienced staff.
Climb, such as a stepladder to put a box of apples on a shelf.

Education and Experience:

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector I:

Possession of one or more valid statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist (Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 1 § 105);

Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in agricultural, biological, chemical or physical sciences. If the Bachelor’s degree is in a discipline other than an agricultural, biological, chemical or physical science, a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following disciplines must be completed: Agricultural Science, Biological Science, Chemical Science, Physical Science, Mathematics and/or Statistics.

Successful candidates must obtain two valid licenses of eligibility in agricultural inspection and/or weights and measures inspection as designated by the Agricultural Commissioner within one year of employment (Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 1 § 105).

Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector II: Possession of a combined total of three valid state licenses of eligibility as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and as a County Weights and Measures Inspector, as designated by the Commissioner, and one year of experience performing duties comparable to an Agriculture/Weights and Measures Inspector I in the County of Santa Cruz.

Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector III: Possession of a combined total of five valid state licenses of eligibility as a County Agricultural/ Inspector Biologist and as a County Weights and Measures Inspector as designated by the Commissioner and one year experience performing duties comparable to an Agricultural/ Weights and Measures Inspector II with the County of Santa Cruz.

Special Requirements/Conditions:

License Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C driver license; some positions in Weights and Measures may require a valid California class B driver license.

Special Working Conditions: Exposure to: variable temperatures; slippery surfaces; loud noises; sunburn; dust and pollen; bee stings; angry or hostile persons. Possible exposure to: communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis and hepatitis; pesticides including warning agents or by products.

Other Special Requirements: Alcohol and drug tests will be administered to all candidates prior to final selection for positions requiring class B driver license, and to employees in positions requiring these licenses as mandated by the Department of Transportation federal regulations. In addition, all candidates must provide standard employment history for up to the past ten years for jobs which required operation of a commercial motor vehicle.

Availability to work evenings, weekends and holidays on an as needed basis.

PREVIOUS CLASS TITLES: None

Bargaining Unit: 41

EEOC Job Category: 02 Occupational Grouping: 73

Worker's Comp Code: 0285