02/27/2003 56435

PLANT INSPECTION PROGRAM SPECIALIST

DEFINITION: This is administrative and professional work in coordinating statewide regulatory programs in the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this class performs specialized duties in one or more program areas, such as statewide inspection, licensing, certification, survey, and diagnostic programs to insure program requirements are met and statutes, rules and regulations are followed. Work may involve planning, developing, coordinating, and overseeing activities of permanent and/or seasonal staff; reviewing and approving various certifications and permits to move live plants, insects, pests and products; planning, implementing, and directing statewide programs dealing with certification, survey/detection, diagnosis/identification, or eradication activities for pests of regulatory importance to PA agriculture, with special emphasis given to invasive species and biosecurity; and participating in activities outside of the employee’s normal duties where pest eradication is necessary and other program areas may need assistance. Work also involves preparing reports and publishing lists, results, and recommendations; communicating changes to federal and state rules and regulations to regional staff; serving as the liaison between the Department and federal agencies, organizations, associations, private businesses and the general public; providing technical guidance and assistance regarding program requirements; serving on Bureau and Departmental Committees; representing the Department at regional and national horticulture meetings; and providing training to regional personnel related to state/federal cooperative programs. Work is assigned in the form of goals and objectives and the employee exercises considerable freedom in scheduling and completing the work. Work is reviewed upon completion by a professional supervisor for technical accuracy and quality.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Coordinates inspections, survey/detection and other programs carried out by staff in the regional offices and/or headquarters.

Functions as State Coordinator for various State/Federal cooperative programs including Gypsy Moth Outdoor Household Article, post entry quarantine, phytosanitary export certification, permits to move living plant pests, Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey, Plum Pox Virus Eradication program, biosecurity and/or other quarantine programs.

Maintains records of all programs administered.

Provides technical guidance and assistance regarding program requirements to internal and external parties.

Administers the Pennsylvania Nursery/Nursery Dealer Certification Program involving the inspection and certification of nurseries and greenhouses, nursery dealers, garden centers, landscape contractors, chain stores, etc.

Produces and publishes an annual "List of Certified Nurseries and Nursery Dealers and Stock Locator."

Provides information on changes affecting Plant Inspection Programs to Plant Industry Regional Supervisors or Plant Inspectors.

Coordinates requests from the Plant Protection Division to be implemented as field programs by the regional Plant Inspection staff.

Coordinates statewide surveillance programs for exotic pests of honeybees and plants.

Develops and coordinates implementation of statewide treatment and control programs such as Plum Pox Virus Eradication Program, and the Gypsy Moth Outdoor Household Article Program.

Writes technical articles for publication.

Serves as editor or co-editor of the statewide “Regulatory Horticulture” publication.

Assists with program budget preparation and tracking.

Serves on the Plant Inspection Issues Committee (PIIC).

Works with the PIIC to organize training sessions for regional personnel and coordinates training as required for State/Federal cooperative programs.

Represents Pennsylvania at the Regional and National Horticulture Inspection Society meetings or other technical/professional meetings dealing with plant industries.

Serves as the liaison between the Department and the horticultural or apiary industry, which may include the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, Pennsylvania Christmas Tree Growers Association, Pennsylvania Beekeepers Association, or other state and federal associations related to plant industries. Develops educational materials, and provides training instruction for Departmental workforce as necessary.

Oversees one or more seasonal employees to include interviewing potential seasonal employees, training seasonal employees, overseeing vehicle assignments and maintenance, and scheduling daily work and travel.

Orders necessary supplies and equipment.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of Federal and State laws and special regulations governing the movement of plants and plant material.

Ability to learn the laws, regulations, investigation and enforcement activities, and programs administered by the Bureau of Plant Industry, such as the Plant Pest Act; Pesticide Control Act; Seed Act; Noxious Weed Act; and Christmas Tree Theft Act.

Ability to learn other Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture programs and those of other Federal and State agencies involved in agriculture.

Ability to communicate orally and in writing with the general public, industry, and other State and Federal regulatory agencies.

Ability to deal effectively with the public, Bureau personnel, and other regulatory officials.

Ability to make technical presentations as part of training sessions for agency staff, the general public or members of the horticultural industry.

Ability to prepare popular or technical articles for publication.

Ability to assimilate information on plant pests, especially invasive species and make regulatory decisions based on the threat they pose to Pennsylvania agriculture.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Two years as a Plant Inspector or Entomologist 2;

                                                                                                                                                                                                  or

Three years as a Plant Pathologist;

                                                                                                                                                                                                  or

Four years professional experience in an agricultural regulatory program and a bachelor's degree in general agriculture, agronomy, plant pathology, entomology, or horticulture.

or

Any equivalent combination of experience and training, which affords the required knowledge, skills and abilities.