Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

The Position

Under general administrative direction, assists in planning, organization, supervision, coordination and evaluation of assigned agricultural and weights and measures programs, projects, and operations. Conducts investigations and inspections to enforce federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and ordinances related to the Agriculture Department. Provides departmental support to the Agriculture Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in departmental operations, budgeting, reporting, regulatory compliance, and special projects.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

• Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
• Plan, assign, direct, coordinate, review, and evaluate the work of assigned staff; establish priorities and goals; provide ongoing staff training; participate in employee selection, promotion, and disciplinary actions.
• Aid in administrative operations, program coordination, regulatory compliance activities, and implementation of departmental initiatives.
• Participate in the development and implementation of departmental goals, objectives, policies, procedures, operational plans, and work practices; monitor work activities to ensure effectiveness and compliance with legal requirements; develop work processes, job standards, and safety measures.
• Aid in monitoring departmental budgets, tracking expenditures, preparing supporting documentation, and coordinating administrative reports.
• Coordinate with state agencies, county departments, agriculture organizations, and regulatory entities regarding assigned programs and departmental activities.
• Aid in the preparation of resolutions for Board of Supervisors' consideration; serve as departmental representative in connection with statutory requirements for notice, publications, and other official action of the department.
• Answer questions and provide information and assistance to the public, private industry, government agencies, and community groups; make oral and written presentations to various groups and organizations.
• Respond to public inquiries and complaints; investigate complaints and confer with department management concerning the resolution of citizen inquiries and complaints.
• Gather and compile data, prepare departmental reports, including the annual crop and livestock report; and interpret and explain laws, rules and regulations to staff, other agencies, and the public.
• Operate county vehicle to conduct agricultural and weights and measures field inspections; monitor pesticide applications for compliance with applicable laws and regulations; investigate pesticide illnesses, collect samples for residue testing, and initiate enforcement actions when necessary.
• Aid in the preparation of budgets for assigned programs and preparing program invoices; participate in forecasting funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials and supplies; ensure that program expenditures and cost estimates are adequately documented and monitored; review and approve program expenditures and implement adjustments.
• Prepare, review, analyze, supervise and finalize technical reports, inspection reports, memoranda of understanding (MOU), contracts, certifications, public records requests, statistical reports, evidence documentation, special studies and related materials.
• May represent the County at local and state meeting conferences; confer with state and federal personnel and staff from other County Departments of Agriculture to discuss and keep informed on pertinent issues, as well as to coordinate activities.
• Evaluate and issue Restricted Pesticide Permits, Grower Identification Number (Operator ID) and Site Numbers; ensure pesticide use enforcement; train growers and licensees in pesticide use laws and regulations; assist with field inspections and apply applicable laws and regulations; take appropriate enforcement measures as needed.
• Perform 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.
• May perform special assignments and represent the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures in their absence, as assigned.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

• Education and Experience: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in Agriculture Science, Biology, Chemical Science, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Engineering or related field. AND Three (3) years of increasingly responsible agricultural or weights and measures inspection and enforcement work including at least one (1) year in a supervisory capacity.
• Licenses and Certifications: Valid Driver’s License. Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner 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. Possession of an Authorized Certification Official (ACO) certificate or must obtain within 6 months of appointment. 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.