05/13/1999 56421

PLANT INSPECTOR

DEFINITION: This is professional, investigative and enforcement work in an assigned geographic area involving inspection of agricultural products, including nursery stock and greenhouse crops, and specific agronomic products including retail pesticides, retail fertilizer and retail seeds for the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this class interprets Commonwealth laws, rules and regulations associated with varied regulatory programs involving the above agricultural products and agronomic products. An employee inspects various types of agricultural product establishments for proper control of plant pests; collects samples of agricultural products for suspected plant pests; investigates and resolves complaints involving diseased and insect infested plants; provides advice to nursery and greenhouse operators regarding plant pests and control options; meets with government and industry officials to provide program information; and responds to emergency situations affecting plants such as invasive and noxious weeds and insects. Inspections are conducted using current scientific methods. Work includes initiating enforcement and compliance activities against violators and prosecuting court cases. Work involves considerable contact with facility operators, government officials, and the public to explain Departmental rules, regulations, policies and procedures involving pesticide use and plant quarantines. Work also includes operating and conducting routine maintenance on a variety of electronic equipment. Employees conduct USDA phytosanitary inspections using nationally and internationally adopted procedures and standards. Employees assist in surveys and research involving plant pests and participate in other statewide initiatives such as Chemsweep, pesticide container recycling and integrated pest management. Employees in this class are supervised by a Plant Industry Regional Supervisor in the Division of Agronomic and Regional Services. Work is performed independently under general direction. Work is reviewed through consultation, meetings and a review of written reports.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Inspects agricultural product establishments such as nurseries, greenhouses, tree farms, and agronomic products retail establishments for proper storage, record keeping, sanitation, employee training, worker safety and proper plant permits.

Investigates and resolves complaints involving plant pests and pesticide worker protection in all types of plant propagation establishments to prevent plant and human harm; and conducts investigations in suspected cases to determine the validity of, and/or eliminating the cause of the plant or human harm.

Determines violations of plant pest and noxious weed laws and regulations and prepares investigative reports.

Conducts sampling of assorted agronomic products and ingredients for laboratory analysis to determine compliance with applicable standards and regulations as well as to prevent fraudulent practices. Reviews and interprets laboratory reports to determine appropriate corrective action including stop sale, quarantine or request for compliance.

Receives and reviews applications for the licensure of nurseries and nursery dealers and approves or disapproves in accordance with state laws and regulations.

Provides advice to establishment operators regarding proper plant pest control; and insures that the facility complies with Commonwealth laws and regulations and Federal laws and regulations for interstate shipment of plant material.

Provides advice to nurseries and greenhouses on proper record keeping, storage of chemicals, worker protection, disposal of pesticides and pesticide containers.

Meets with public and industry officials to provide program information.

Responds to emergency situations affecting plants, such as invasive and noxious weeds, molluscs and insects and plant diseases that threaten the environment, Pennsylvania agriculture or the green industry.

Conducts inspections of nurseries and greenhouses for the United States Department of Agriculture and Environmental Protection Agency through agreements with the Department.

Represents the state as prosecutor and witness at hearings concerning prosecutions of violators of the laws and regulations.

Reviews fertilizer and pesticide labels for compliance with Pennsylvania State and Federal laws and regulations.

Conducts plant pest surveys to determine extent and severity to determine the best control options. These surveys are often coordinated with the United States Department of Agriculture and Harrisburg staff.

Inspects nurseries and greenhouses where pesticides are used for safety to include water supplies, personal protective equipment, emergency equipment and other factors under the pesticide law and regulations.

Approves/disapproves phytosanitary certificates for the national and international shipment of plant material.

Determines violations of rules and regulations by comparing case data with laws, rules and regulations; prepares request for compliance letter indicating violations, citing appropriate laws, rules and regulations, and establishing time limits for their correction.

Trains new inspectors on basic plant protection practices.

Informs public and private officials of changes in program policies, procedures, Departmental rules and regulations.

Prepares reports and correspondence to exchange information with facility owners, governmental officials, and supervisors.

Prepares and delivers formal presentations regarding all aspects of the programs to groups.

Detains or quarantines plant material that is suspected of being infected with a plant disease or infested with an insect or mollusc of concern or which violates state or federal law and/or regulation.

Determines and assigns facility inspection frequency based on associated plant pest risk and/or previous violative history. Develops and manages a record keeping system to provide for an efficient and timely completion of required inspections and administrative functions.

Investigates and resolves complaints involving plant material for the control of plant pests and pesticide worker safety in nurseries and greenhouses.

Responds to emergency situations affecting the spread of plant pests to limit the environmental and economic impact.

Provides advice on integrated pest management, biological control and pesticide use for the control of plant pests in greenhouse and nursery settings.

Inspects facilities and crops associated with clean culture programs such as the impatiens certification program and geranium certification program.

Researches and interprets foreign export certification requirements with the aid of EXCERPT (Export Certification Project) an on-line computer reference system.

Administers pesticide certification exams, monitors pesticide re- certification meetings and makes presentations.

Supervises pesticide applications in accordance with export certification requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations relating to the sale or movement of nursery stock, cut Christmas trees, greenhouse crops, seeds, specialty fertilizers and soil conditioners and the proper use of pesticides.

Knowledge of the basic principles of nursery management, including pest control, propagation, cultural practices, storage and transportation.

Knowledge of plant and noxious/invasive weed identification.

Knowledge of plant pests, including insects, pathogens, mites, nematodes, molluscs and weeds.

Knowledge of effective methods of chemical, biological and cultural controls of plant pests alone or in combination as they apply to an integrated approach of pest management.

Knowledge of plant physiology and physiological disorders.

Ability to carry out detailed inspections.

Ability to secure facts through observation and investigation and to make accurate judgments based on facts.

Ability to learn pesticide application procedures and equipment used in nurseries and greenhouses.

Ability to correctly review and interpret pesticide labels.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of regulated businesses, coworkers and the public.

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing.

Ability to use computers for data input and retrieval.

Ability to become certified to issue federal phytosanitary certificates and to use the EXCERPT export database.

Ability to access and explore the Internet.

Ability to withstand extended periods of exertion.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years of experience in the inspection of agricultural (nursery stock and greenhouse crops) or agronomic products (pesticides, fertilizers and seeds) and a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences or biological sciences or in a closely related area.

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Four years of experience in the inspection of agricultural (nursery stock and greenhouse crops) or agronomic products (pesticides, fertilizers and seeds) and an associate degree in agricultural sciences or biological sciences or in a closely related area.

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Any equivalent combination of experience and training which affords an applicant the Required Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities. Appropriate graduate level training may be substituted for the experience on a year-for-year basis.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Possession of a valid Class C driver's license issued by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.