JOB TITLE: PLANT INDUSTRY INSPECTION TECHNICIAN

JOB CODE: 56401

DEFINITION: This is technical work in agricultural and agronomic inspection enforcement programs for the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this job performs basic inspections of agricultural and agronomic products, including nursery stock, greenhouse crops, farm crops, plant products, animal feed, fertilizer, lime, pesticides, seeds, and soil and plant amendments, in an assigned area of the state. Work involves determining compliance with state regulations related to labeling, licensing, plant pest management, product registration, and standards of purity, quality, and sanitation; collecting commodity samples in accordance with existing protocols; responding to consumer complaints concerning agricultural or agronomic products; and recording data and preparing reports of findings. Work is assigned by a supervisor who outlines general instructions and objectives. Work is reviewed through conferences, written reports, and review of completed assignments for conformance with established policies and standards.

   DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS:

     • Work is distinguished from the Plant Inspector and the Agronomic Products Inspector jobs by the complexity of factors considered and independent decision-making at the Inspector levels when determining compliance, and the federal credentials needed to perform higher-level inspection and investigation responsibilities.

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.)

• Collects samples of agronomic products, such as animal feed, fertilizer, liming materials, pesticides, and seeds, in accordance with established protocols.

• Collects and submits samples of plants and plant pest organisms for laboratory identification in accordance with established protocols.

• Inspects agronomic product establishments, such as feed mills, fertilizer blenders, lime quarries, pesticide businesses, pesticide dealers, pet food manufacturers, and wholesale and retail establishments, for proper agronomic product labeling, proper storage, recordkeeping, and sanitation.

• Inspects plants and plant products in nurseries, garden centers, commercial greenhouses, and related businesses to detect plant pests, such as insects, mites, plant pathogens, nematodes, mollusks, and weeds.

• Inspects nurseries, greenhouses, and other agricultural settings where pesticides are used to ensure water supplies, personal protective equipment, and emergency equipment are in compliance with pesticide regulations.

• Assists higher-level inspectors with implementation of plant pest surveys used to determine extent, severity, and pest control options.

• Determines agricultural and agronomic product compliance through direct observation and comparison to established labeling, licensing, product registration, sanitation, quality, and purity standards.

• Submits reports with results of inspections and recommendations to the regional supervisor.

• Provides information regarding proper recordkeeping, storage of chemicals, disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers, and worker protection standards.

• Provides information to establishment operators and quality control personnel regarding proper agronomic product processing and quality control.

• Reviews consumer complaints regarding quality of agronomic or agricultural products, and collects samples for laboratory analysis.

• Removes agricultural and agronomic commodities from sale if they are unfit for human or animal consumption; pose a threat to the environment; or are infested by plant pests, mislabeled, or adulterated.

• Proctors pesticide certification exams.

• Inventories, samples, and collects suspended, unwanted, and unknown pesticide products for proper disposal.

• Makes pesticide applications to control pests associated with plant protection programs.

• Operates a motor vehicle.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of methods and practices of sample collection and preservation.

• Knowledge of the common types and characteristics of fertilizers, soil, and plant amendments.

• Knowledge of basic animal science.

• Knowledge of plant pests such as insects, pathogens, mites, nematodes, mollusks, and weeds.

• Knowledge of the principles of pest management.

• Knowledge of normal plant physiology and physiological disorders.

• Knowledge of the common types and characteristics of pesticides.

• Ability to read and interpret agricultural and agronomic standards of quality, purity, and sanitation.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.

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

• A bachelor’s degree in the agricultural or biological sciences, which includes 3 credits in chemistry, 3 credits in plant science, and 3 credits in animal science;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 3 credits in chemistry, 3 credits in plant science, and 3 credits in animal science.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:

• All positions require possession of an active motor vehicle license.