JOB TITLE: CHIEF, DIVISION OF HEALTH AND SAFETY

JOB CODE: 56311

DEFINITION: This is professional managerial work in directing statewide programs related to weed management, environmental pesticide programs, farm safety and occupational health, integrated pest management, hemp, and pesticide regulatory control programs in the Department of Agriculture.

The employee in this job manages, implements, and enforces Commonwealth statutes, rules, and regulations pertaining to farm safety, controlled plants and noxious weeds, integrated pest management, hemp, and pesticides. Work involves initiating and evaluating new programs and overseeing continuing program efforts in the fields of agromedicine and occupational health, environmental and regulatory pesticide programs, integrated pest management, hemp grower and processor permitting, and noxious weed management. Work includes administering grants and state contracts with universities and private vendors; representing the agency at meetings, conferences, and seminars; providing technical expertise to staff for regulatory work; coordinating division activities with other state agencies regarding the investigation and enforcement of pesticide incidents, hemp program violations, and weed management; developing projects to determine the presence of pesticides in water; and reviewing the enforcement, penalty, and prosecution recommendations from division and regional staff and approving appropriate actions. Supervision is exercised over technical and professional employees. Work is reviewed by the bureau director through meetings, conferences, and review of written reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.)

• Directs staff in developing and managing statewide programs in weed management, environmental pesticide management, hemp permitting, farm safety, integrated pest management, and pesticide certification and control.

• Administers the Farm Safety and Occupational Health Act, Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Act, Integrated Pest Management in Schools, Notification of Pesticide Treatments at Schools, and the Pesticide Control Act.

• Administers all controlled plant, noxious weed, and pesticide program investigations and enforcement activities in collaboration with other state and federal agencies.

• Approves action on penalties and prosecutions for statewide violations of the statutes, rules, and regulations of division programs, and administers the collection of penalties through program specialists.

• Oversees the analysis of incident investigations related to animal, human, and environmental complaints and provides technical guidance and direction to field staff investigating incidents related to division programs.

• Monitors farm safety and worker protection programs that educate farm families, agricultural workers, and medical providers in pesticide hazards.

• Administers grants received from the federal Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, and other agencies.

• Oversees the development and implementation of educational programs through technical specialists.

• Oversees the review of scientific documentation submitted by manufacturers and distributors of pesticides to determine whether products meet registration requirements.

• Maintains liaison with pesticide, hemp, and weed control officials from other states and federal agencies regarding reciprocal agreements, comparability of regulations, administration of grants program, and similar issues.

• Prepares and delivers presentations to industry groups, professionals, and the public.

• Monitors receipt of revenues derived from certification, licensing, and registration fees, prepares the division budget, and responds to budget requests.

• Directs the development of projects to determine the presence of pesticides in surface and ground water and prevents adverse environmental impacts by planning controls to manage pesticide use.

• Prepares and directs the preparation of reports summarizing division program activities, status, needs, and requirements; conducts studies to assess program effectiveness; and initiates changes as required.

• Manages travel, vehicle, equipment, and supply requests for division programs.

• Initiates and oversees projects to improve program effectiveness and efficiency through the ongoing evaluation of division processes and technologies.

• Represents the department on committees, councils, and taskforces regarding pesticide control, botany and weed, farm safety, and integrated pest management matters.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• The employee in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the laws and regulations pertaining to pesticide certification and control, integrated pest management, weed management, farm safety, and occupational health programs.

• Knowledge of the principles of botany and agricultural/agronomic production.

• Knowledge of solid, liquid, and gaseous pesticides, including their composition, residue potential, characteristic properties, and environmental effect.

• Knowledge of the methods and procedures used in the control of insects and other plant pests.

• Knowledge of ground and aerial equipment methods used to apply pesticides.

• Knowledge of the requirements for pesticide businesses and dealers distributing restricted use pesticides.

• Knowledge of the inspection and enforcement procedures and techniques used in pesticide certification and control.

• Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques used in scientific research.

• Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in scientific and technical report writing.

• Ability to analyze and interpret federal and state laws, rules, and regulations.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These are not used for merit system evaluation or examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards.)

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Ability to coordinate division activities with other state agencies to investigate and enforce pesticide, integrated pest management, hemp, and noxious weed management programs.

• Ability to analyze and evaluate the effectiveness of weed management, environmental pesticide, farm safety and occupational health, integrated pest management, hemp, and regulatory pesticide control programs.

• Ability to effectively administer grants and state contracts with universities and private vendors.

• Ability to initiate and direct projects designed to evaluate the effectiveness of programs and related technologies.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities)

• One year of experience as a Pesticide Specialist, Plant Inspection Program Specialist, or Plant Industry Regional Supervisor (Commonwealth titles);

or

• Four years of professional investigative, enforcement, or advisory experience in an agricultural regulatory program, and a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, biology, or a closely related field;

or

• Four years of professional investigative, enforcement, or advisory experience in an agricultural regulatory program, and four years of paraprofessional experience implementing an environmental or occupational health and safety program;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training.