Assistant Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

About the role

The current vacancy is in Ukiah, CA. At-Will position; exempt from Civil Service. Under general administrative direction, assists the Agriculture Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in the administration, coordination, and oversight of departmental programs, operations and staff.

Responsibilities

• Assists in planning, organizing, administering and supervising activities, programs, and operations of the office of the Agriculture Department.
• Performs supervisory responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures and applicable laws including interviewing, hiring and training, assigning and directing work, evaluating performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, addressing complaints and resolving personnel issues and concerns.
• Participates in the development, administration, and management of the department’s budget; directs the forecast of additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, and supplies; directs the monitoring of and approves expenditures; directs the preparation and implementation of budgetary adjustments.
• Ensures pesticide use enforcement; trains growers and licensees in pesticide use laws and regulations; assists with field inspections and applies applicable laws and regulations; takes appropriate enforcement measures as needed.
• Ensures compliance with weights and measures laws and regulations.
• Reviews and approves periodic reports of work performed; makes field visits to review the work of personnel and to evaluate the quality of the program.
• Consults with and advises staff regarding the interpretation of laws and regulations; recommends the modification or adoption of procedures to meet changing requirements.
• Aids the general public with pest control issues by identifying pest and recommending effective control methods.
• Makes presentations to state and federal legislators and their staff to discuss proposed legislation and other issues affecting the Department.
• Prepares resolutions for Board of Supervisors' consideration; serves as departmental representative in connection with statutory requirements for notice, publications, and other official action of the department.
• Issues pesticide permits, operator identification numbers and phytosanitary certificates.
• Prepares the annual crop report by surveying agricultural producers and compiling statistical data.
• Represents the department at a variety of county and state meetings.
• Performs inspections of incoming out-of-state plant shipments at terminals and ensures weighing and measuring devices meet accuracy standards, proper usage requirements, and state registration compliance.
• Advises growers regarding the Organic Act laws and regulations.
• Receives, reviews, investigates and resolves public concerns and complaints related to agriculture and weights and measures programs.
• Serves as the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in their absence, as assigned.
• Supervises the wine grape testing program.

Requirements

• Required Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in Agriculture Science, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physical Sciences, Engineering, or a related field; AND Four (4) years of progressively responsible agricultural or weights and measures inspection and enforcement work, including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity.
• Licenses And Certifications: Valid State Driver's License Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner License or Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures License Pesticide Regulation License Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation License Weight Verification License Investigation and Environmental Monitoring License Integrated Pest Management License Commodity Regulation License Measurement Verification License Transaction and Product Verification License Within two (2) years, possession of both Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner AND Deputy County Sealer of Weights and Measures License must be obtained. Failure to obtain and maintain the required licensure within the timeframes specified above shall be considered failure to meet a condition of employment and may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

Qualifications

All applicable federal, state, county, and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules and regulations. Budgetary principles and practices. Administrative principles and practices, including goal setting and implementation. Methods and techniques of research, statistical analysis and report presentation. Identification of crops, vertebrate pests, basic insects, plants, and trees; treating and controlling plant pests and diseases. Construction, mechanics, and operation of scales, gasoline meters, and other weighing and measuring devices. Methods and techniques relevant to weights and measures investigation and enforcement. Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job. Principles and practices of land use planning. Legislative processes and criminal, civil and administrative penalties. Tact, discretion, initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines. Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials. Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction. Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks; to understand, interpret and communicate complicated policies, procedures and protocols. Communicating clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing. Maintaining accurate records of work performed and findings. Planning, organizing, assigning, directing, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff. Selecting and motivating staff and providing for their training and professional development. Preparing clear and concise reports, correspondence and other written materials. Presenting technical information clearly, concisely and in an interesting manner to technical committees, public officials, and the general public. Mental And Physical Abilities: Effectively deal with the general public and the media in stressful situations. Speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions. Read, analyze and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures and government regulations. Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables. Define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Enforce the laws in a fair and impartial manner. Identify many different plants, animals, insects, and diseases. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others. Resolve issues or concerns involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is regularly required to: stand, walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; speak and hear; and push, pull, move, or lift above and below the neck objects weighing up to 25 pounds.

Benefits

Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range. Retirement covered under Social Security And The 1937 Act; both Employees And The County Pay Into The Retirement Fund. For The Most Current Information Regarding County Retirement Please Go To https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement Holidays and Personal Leave: Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 – 48 hours of personal leave.

Pay

Anticipated salary increase effective July 5, 2026.

Schedule

N/A