TDA - Region 2 - Inspector - Regulatory (56898)

About the role

The Inspector will perform moderately complex regulatory inspection work for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to contribute to the enforcement of agricultural laws and regulations for consumer protection in the State of Texas. You will assist in completing case preparations and may testify at hearings on violations of agriculture laws and regulations. You will work under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This is an entry-level position with increasing responsibilities as training progresses. Newly hired inspectors are required to complete trainings on different types of inspections which will assist them in learning regulations, operating procedures, and other job responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Perform entry level regulatory inspections and complete accurate and detailed reports to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Respond to and investigate complaints involving allegations of noncompliance and complete case investigation reports with data integrity and properly gather and document data and records of violations to include interviewing witnesses and collecting and submitting samples.
• Audit sales records, issue Stop Sales, notice of seizures, rejection notices, and collect and remit licensing and late fees for violations.
• Complete travel vouchers and mileage reports; complete various weekly and end-of-month reports.
• Coordinate and ensure that the Regional Director and Assistant Regional Director are kept informed of all issues related to the inspections.
• Represent the agency in a positive manner when dealing with constituents.
• Become proficient in the use of Performing Inspections, Enforcement and Recruitment (PIER), Bringing Resource Integration and Data Together for Greater Efficiency (BRIDGE) and business intelligence reports.
• Follow all TDA policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Inspection activities may include

• Inspecting commercial legal for trade scales at businesses such as grocery stores, pawn shops, shipping companies and propane distribution locations, etc.
• Conducting random and standard package inspections to ensure correct measurement of packaged goods.
• Inspecting nursery plants, trees and shrubs for disease and insects.
• Inspecting graded eggs in grocery and convenience stores.
• Monitoring compliance with the Handling and Marketing of Perishable Commodities Law.
• Obtaining samples of agricultural and vegetable seeds and enforce seed laws and regulations.
• Monitoring and enforcing quarantines that may include the sweet potato weevil, fire ant, Japanese beetle, citrus greening, and spongy moth, etc.
• Inspecting nursery stock and agricultural commodities leaving the state and issue state and/or federal phytosanitary certificates.
• Inspecting agricultural crops for purity, insect, disease, fungus, etc. for seed certification.
• Inspecting growers and/or organic handlers for organic certification.
• Conducting price verification inspections to ensure correct pricing at point of sale utilizing products scanned barcode.
• Inspecting public grain warehouse businesses, including but not limited to measuring grain, auditing records and platting/charting warehouses and storage structures.
• Conducting complaint-based, risk-based inspections for consumer protection programs, as required.
• Conducting re-inspection on non-compliant entities or business establishments.
• Issuing stop-sales, notices of seizure, findings reports and rejection notices.
• Collecting and remitting fees to include licensing and late fees.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• Must reside in Tarrant County or within a 10-mile radius of the county line or assigned work area.
• Valid Texas driver's license and an acceptable driving record.
• Substitution: A high school diploma and two years' full-time work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for a degree.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of laws, codes, standards, and regulations related to the area of responsibility; of the principles and methods of field inspection and quality control; and of business practices in regulated occupations and industries.
• Skill in conducting inspections; in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; in determining proper courses of action; in using instruments or tools necessary to perform inspections; in using a computer and applicable programs and databases, and in maintaining records and written reports.
• Ability to prepare reports; to interpret laws and regulations; to gather and analyze data; to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors and the public; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

Working Conditions

Requires working outdoors and exposure to extremes in temperatures (including high-low temperature changes and variable climatic conditions such as rain, fog, dust, fumes).

Location: This position will report to the following TDA locations: Dallas, TX. This position will work in Tarrant County, Texas, as needed.