Agricultural/Weights & Measures Inspector I/II

Salary:

AGWM Inspector I: $68,793,92 - $82,370.08 Annually, plus bilingual pay when applicable.
AGWM Inspector II: $78,642.72 - $94,717.68 Annually, plus bilingual pay when applicable.

THE POSITION
The County of Santa Barbara is currently accepting applications to fill three full-time Agricultural/Weights & Measures (AGWM) Inspector I/II vacancies throughout the county. Two of the positions are bilingual Spanish (Mixteco language highly desirable) vacancies.

Under specified degrees of supervision depending upon the level of the class, provides professional inspection, investigation and enforcement services to the community by executing local, state and federal mandated consumer protection, pest prevention and environmental protection programs in both agricultural and weights and measures disciplines; and performs related work as assigned.

We are also accepting applications to establish an employment list for future full-time, part-time, extra help and 1414* vacancies for Agricultural/Weights & Measures Inspector I/II throughout the county.

*1414 vacancies may occur as a result of a leave of absence (Civil Service Rule 1414) and the duration of the appointment shall be subject to the return of the individual who is on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under Civil Service Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Agricultural/Weights & Measures I/II/III is a flexibly staffed series, with placement dependent upon the licenses earned, and the experience and proficiency to perform the full range of duties within specific areas of state licensure. The Department shall designate the specific California State licenses or Federal certifications required to train in, and the examinations to be taken for each employee.

NOTE: Depending on the candidate's qualifications and the needs of the department, the selected candidate(s) may be appointed at the I or II level.

Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector I is the entry level in the series. Under direct supervision incumbents learn to apply and enforce a variety of agricultural and/or weights and measures laws and regulations. The incumbents are expected to possess at least two licenses in agricultural or weights and measures inspection issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture within the first twelve months of employment. With experience, incumbents will independently perform field inspections and investigations within the two areas of required licensure while gaining training and experience to obtain five required state licenses and function at the II level. At the discretion of the appointing authority and with at least five required licenses obtained and two years of increasing responsibilities, incumbents may be eligible for promotion to the II level.

Please select the location(s) you would like to be considered for current and for future vacancies. If you qualify for this position and pass the required selection steps, then your name will be sent to the hiring manager(s) of the vacancy location(s) where you have expressed that you are willing to work.

Candidates hired can be placed at any location and transferred to another location during your employment with Santa Barbara County based on the needs of the department.

The Ideal Candidate will possess:

• Excellent communication and writing skills
• Ability to adapt to situations quickly
• Demonstrated initiative, drive and self-motivation
• Strong multi-tasking skills
• Ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships with the public and other agencies
• Ability to converse in English, Spanish, and Mixteco is highly desirable.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

For more information on the Agriculture/Weights & Measures Department, check website at: http://www.countyofsb.org/ag.com

The following duties are performed by employees in this classification; however, employees may perform related duties at an equivalent level. Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

• Investigates fraud and consumer complaints through interviews, investigations, and records examination.
• Develops case files; prepares, analyzes, maintains and presents evidence; prepares correspondence and reports; and provides information for litigation.
• Promotes legal compliance by conducting educational outreach to new businesses.
• Investigates and works with district attorneys to prosecute businesses engaged in deceptive pricing and/or product packaging, both locally and statewide.
• Verifies the accuracy of commercial devices such as gas pumps, taxi meters, propane meters, electric meters and commercial weighing devices.
• Safely handles hazardous materials such as herbicides, rodenticides, insecticides and other pesticides, as well as gasoline, diesel, aviation fuel, and propane.
• Enforces regulations related to pesticide use and storage, and worker health and safety; issues permits and monitors applications of pesticides; and registers agricultural pest control operators and advisors.
• Investigates complaints related to agricultural pesticides, certain pests, and violations of County, State, or Federal laws; and conducts a variety of inspections of agricultural products to ensure compliance with regulations, and/or to verify certificate requirements for export/import and pest cleanliness.
• Detects and prevents the introduction of detrimental pests through examination, surveys, trapping, sampling, and regulation of possible carriers; and controls and/or eradicates pest plants, insects, diseases, and nematodes in accordance with approved procedures.
• Inspects nurseries and evaluates nursery license applications to determine compliance with State requirements.
• Gathers and compiles evidence and prepares reports; collects, prepares, and submits official samples required for the enforcement or verification of various regulations; and obtains, compiles, and disseminates statistical data on agricultural commodities produced in the County.

In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (e.g. Licenses, Certificates, Degrees, Transcripts, etc.) listed below:

• Possession of two or more valid statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture; OR,
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences, Mathematics, or statistics; OR,
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or 45 quarter units, in one or any combination of the following disciplines: Agricultural Science, Biological Science, Chemical Science, Physical Science, Mathematics, and/or Statistics.

NOTE: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required degree are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree.

Additional Requirements:

• Incumbent must obtain within one year of appointment two category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture in: Pesticide Regulation, Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation, Investigation and Environmental Monitoring, Commodity Regulation, Integrated Pest Management, Weight Verification, Measurement Verification, Transaction and Product Verification.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License is required at the time of appointment. Driver's license must be kept valid throughout the term of employment. Incumbents must be able to travel independently throughout County of Santa Barbara.
• Some assignments in the classification may require incumbent to obtain a certificate of completion from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for their 10-week Basic Canine Handler Training.

Additional Qualifications May be required:

• A California Class B Commercial Driver's License at the discretion of the appointing authority, dependent on assigned job duties. Appointees to those positions requiring a Class B license will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to beginning work; once on the job, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and/or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.
• Obtain an Accredited Certifying Officer (ACO) credential from the United States Department of Agriculture at the discretion of the appointing authority, dependent on assigned job duties.

Knowledge Of: Laws, codes, orders, regulations and practices governing agriculture and weights and measures programs and pesticide management; principles of identification, preservation and presentation of evidence; techniques of case management, record keeping and report preparation; safety principles and equipment used for handling chemicals and responding to hazardous materials incidents; f current business applications and mobile communication devices; and correct English usage.

Ability To: Learn to interpret, apply, explain and enforce various state and federal agricultural and weights and measures laws, codes and regulations; learn to apply interviewing techniques to obtain needed information; learn to gather, assemble and analyze data and make sound recommendations regarding mitigation or enforcement matters; prepare and maintain accurate, concise and effective records, reports, correspondence and other written materials; use correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation; make accurate mathematic calculations; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work; learn to safely handle hazardous materials such as herbicides, rodenticides, insecticides and other pesticides, as well as gasoline, diesel, and propane; and maintain situational awareness while confidently approaching unknown environments with changing circumstances.

The physical demands and working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of the job, the employee is regularly required to use hand to eye coordination, and handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls. The employee is frequently required to stand and/or walk for extended periods of time over varied terrain; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Requires strength to lift and carry equipment and samples weighing up to forty pounds and heavier weights with proper equipment; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen and to distinguish among various colors; and hearing to converse in person and over the telephone.

Working Conditions: Must be willing to work out-of-doors, in all weather conditions and with potential exposure to hazardous materials and conditions such as heat, dust, diesel, exhaust or chemical odors. Must be willing to work scheduled overtime, weekend or off-hours shifts as Department needs require.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.

• Online Assessment and Written Examination. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications will be notified by email with an invitation to take both the online assessment and the written examination. This online assessment and written examination will test candidates time management, basic math calculations, proper English grammar and writing, and business communication skills.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on both the online assessment and the written exam to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who are successful in the selection process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates will receive an email notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list, and exact duration of the employment list.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE POINTS: Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment at the I level only (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by a Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) attach a copy of your Form DD214 to your application at the time of applying, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting. We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Conditional Offer: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidates will be required to successfully complete a background check, which includes a conviction history check, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. Incumbents conditionally offered AGWM bilingual Spanish positions will also be required to take a Spanish proficiency exam. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, including bilingual allowance when applicable; please visit our website at: https://ca-santabarbaracounty.civicplus.pro/3085/SEIU-Local-620. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity
• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process. Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental code section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service. Activities may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law.

Statement of Commitment

The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.

We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.

We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County's mission and to embody a culture of "One County, One Future." Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.

We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: Monday, January 6, 2025. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

Chanel Y. Turner, Talent Acquisition Analyst: cturner@countyofsb.org