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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 00059932 |
Description Activated On: 5/21/2024 7:57:40 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Responsible for administering the Pesticide, Farm Safety, Environmental, IPM, Hemp, and Controlled plant and noxious weed programs within the Bureau of Plant Industry, in support of the agriculture industry. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. Administer PA's Pesticide Control Act and regulations, as well as the laws related to hemp, controlled plants and noxious weeds, IPM in Schools, and Farm Safety. Supervise Division administrative staff and specialists who manage the botany, hemp and pesticide programs. Hire new division staff. Work collaboratively with other management staff relating to division program duties performed by their subordinates in support of division program activities. (Laboratory & Field staff). Coordinate all division-related field staff activities with the Chief, Division of Agronomic and Regional Services. Develop, negotiate, implement and administer program funding grants with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the pesticide and IPM program activities. Participate in meetings relative to EPA Cooperative Agreements and prepare reports to support these grants. Direct the Botany and Weed Management program and maintain the state herbarium collection through the State Botanist. Seek and apply for additional sources of funding to supplement Pesticide, environmental, IPM, hemp, and Botany programming. Update and maintain the state’s Pesticide Certification and Training Plan, Quality Assurance Project Plan, and Quality Management Plan with U.S. EPA. Negotiate and conduct reviews of grant funding and contracts with Penn State University, United States Geological Survey, Pa Office of Rural Health and other contractors to provide for Pesticide, environmental, IPM and botany program support. Insure that the requirements of the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act of 1973, School IPM Act of 2002, School Notification Act of 2002 and the Controlled Plant and Noxious Weed Act are administered properly. Review and promulgate regulations to administer the Acts. Oversee and analyze investigations of incidents and complaints arising from the use of pesticides relating to human and animal illness, damage to plant life, property or the environment. Oversee and analyze investigations of incidents and complaints concerning hemp or noxious weeds growing in the commonwealth. Monitor the procedures for licensing of pesticides dealers and dealer managers. Provide guidelines with regard to proper storage, display, and transportation of pesticides. Review and approve all enforcement cases regarding dealers found in violation of licensing requirements. Direct a specialist to determine if pesticide labels are consistent with appropriate law. Review reports on pesticide labels to determine compliance with approved ingredients and required labeling statements, and review investigations to determine if use is consistent with pesticide directions. Administer certification programs for commercial, public and private pesticide applicators. Oversee and participate in the development of appropriate study materials, examination questions and training programs for all applicators. Administer the Pesticide Business License program for employers of commercial and public applicators. Insures that licenses are only granted to those businesses with certified applicators in their employment and only to those businesses that meet and maintain the required financial responsibility coverage. Review all cases with the enforcement section regarding businesses found in violation of licensing requirements. Determine fines and issues penalty letters to businesses which may be in violation of licensing requirements. Oversee the registration of pesticides offered for sale or distribution within the commonwealth as required by the Act and regulations. Administer the state’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program for schools (required), agronomic and urban pests to develop appropriate pest control strategies. Oversee projects to determine presence of pesticides in ground water and plans for managing pesticide use to avoid adverse environmental impacts. Administer programs for the collection and disposal of unwanted pesticides and the recycling of empty pesticide containers including RFP preparation and contract negotiations. Track Pesticide Restricted Account collections and expenditures from grants and program fees, to insure continued viability of the program as required by the Act. Track expenditures, review and approve invoices from grantees for all grants under Division purview. Attend and provide consultation at Bureau budget and re-budget meetings relating to Division programs and grants. Work with Department legal staff to develop, revise and amend Acts and regulations relating to Division programs. Work with the PA Office of Rural Health to educate agricultural workers and medical providers in pesticide hazards. Review farm safety programs to improve the health and safety of farm families and farm workers. Oversee safety program, develop hazard analysis and control, provide training programs to the farm community and develop safety committees. Coordinate farm safety and occupational health through grants to other agencies and organizations to research and develop material and educational outreach programs when funding is available. Respond to public and other agencies' inquiries on pesticide enforcement, certification, training, IPM and noxious weed control requirements both by phone communications and written correspondence. Provide technical guidance to Regional Inspectors. Train new inspectors and update currently employed inspectors on the functions of pesticide enforcement, certification and training requirements. Maintain an effective working relationship with the inspectors and their supervisors. Prepare or direct the preparation of reports summarizing pesticide, IPM, hemp and noxious weed program activities, status, needs, and requirements. Conduct studies to review the effectiveness of the current programs and initiate changes as required. Maintain liaisons with Pesticide Control Officials from other states and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Represent Pennsylvania on the regional State FIFRA Issues Research and Evaluation Group (SFIREG) and at national SFIREG meetings. Serve as a member of the Governor’s Pesticide Advisory Board, Farm Safety and Occupational Health Board; represent the Bureau at trade association board meetings such as the Lawn Care Association of PA and PennAg Industries Agronomic Products Council. Serve as a representative of the PA Department of Agriculture at professional conferences, public meetings and industrial seminars relative to pesticide enforcement, certification and education. Complete and submit reports and evaluations to conform to Department policies and standards. Implement program improvements utilizing electronic data processing equipment to efficiently perform the functions of the Pesticide Certification and Education Section, with the approval of the Director, Bureau of Plant Industry. Act as the safety representative for the division and perform related functions as needed under the direction of the agency safety coordinator. Demonstrate a commitment to meeting and exceeding expectations of the bureau/program’s customer(s) at all times. Apply Lean tool(s) to day-to-day tasks when a process has been identified for improvement. Perform all other duties as assigned or required. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. * Prepare incoming and outgoing grants for executive office approval. * Assign division work to meet Department goals. * Hire and supervise division staff. * New initiatives approved by Bureau Director or Deputy. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: Maintain EPA credentials. Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. N/A 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. 5. 6. |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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