Agricultural Biologist I/II/Senior at County of Tuolumne – Sonora, California

Agricultural Biologist I/II
Under supervision, performs a variety of inspection and detection activities to enforce governmental regulations pertaining to specific agricultural and weights and measures control regulatory categories; and performs related duties as assigned.

Senior Agricultural Biologist
Under general supervision, performs a wide variety of complex inspection and detection activities to enforce governmental regulations pertaining to specific agricultural and weights and control regulatory categories; performs various administrative tasks in support of department management; trains and instructs lower-level staff; and to perform related duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Agricultural Biologist I/II
Receives direct or general supervision from the Agricultural Commissioner or Deputy Agricultural Commissioner. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May exercise technical and functional direction over and provide training to lower-level staff.

Senior Agricultural Biologist
Receives direct or general supervision from the Agricultural Commissioner or Deputy Agricultural Commissioner. Exercises no direct supervision over staff. May provide technical and functional direction to assigned staff.

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Agricultural Biologist I: This is the entry-level classification in this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform a variety of duties in inspection and enforcement of federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations related to agricultural and weights and measures control matters. Duties are performed in varying areas as the incumbent achieves licensing in the required subject matter. Positions at this level usually perform most of the duties required of the positions at the II level, but are not expected to function at the same skill level and usually exercise less independent discretion and judgment in matters related to work procedures and methods. Work is usually supervised while in progress and fits an established structure or pattern. Exceptions or changes in procedures are explained in detail as they arise.

Agricultural Biologist II: This is the journey-level in this series. Incumbents perform a variety of duties in the areas in which they have qualified and have been licensed. Positions at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies of the work unit. Incumbents may assume specialized responsibility for a particular function within the class. This class is distinguished from the Senior Agricultural Biologist in that the latter provides technical and functional direction to lower-level support staff and is responsible for more complex regulatory work.

Senior Agricultural Biologist: This is the advanced journey-level class in the Agricultural Biologist class series. Incumbents perform a wide variety of inspections requiring achievement of at least eight license areas within the agriculture and weights and measures inspection function. Responsibilities include providing training and technical and functional direction to lower-level staff and assisting in various departmental administrative tasks.

These positions in the Agricultural Biologist class series are flexibly staffed and positions at the higher- level are normally filled by advancement from the lower-level depending on department or program need and after gaining the knowledge, skill, and experience which meet the qualifications for and after demonstrating the ability to perform the work of the higher-level class.
(Illustrative Only)
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.

Agricultural Biologist I/II

• Inspects businesses, industries, and other operations to enforce compliance with agricultural and weights and measures laws, rules, and regulations.
• Performs a variety of insect and vertebrate pest detection and exclusion activities, including deploying and servicing traps, surveying and inspecting at various control points, and monitoring natural and other vectors and habitats.
• Inspects nurseries, seeds, eggs, fruits, vegetables and apiaries for adherence to governmental standards and regulations, including quarantines.
• Inspects electric petroleum dispensing, gaseous substance and electric meters; livestock, vehicular and a variety of marketing scales, linear measuring devices and other weighing and measuring devices for adherence to governmental standards and regulations.
• Inspects packaged goods to verify quantity statements.
• Prepares samples and/or conducts analyses for purity, quality, pesticide contamination, maturity, disease pathogens, insect infestation, and related criteria.
• Operates, calibrates and maintains various inspection and sampling devices and equipment.
• Issues notices of violation and follows up on cases to ensure resolution; assists in preparing cases for prosecution and provides court testimony as required.
• Issues permits and certificates for various activities monitored by the department; processes device registration.
• Establishes and maintains accurate, complete and up-to-date records.
• Assists in the preparation of data and statistics related to department activities.
• Represents the department at meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional / business / community organizations, and the public.
• Attends meetings, conferences, workshops, and training sessions, and reviews publications to remain current on principles, practices, and new developments in the field of agriculture and weight and measures.
• Participates in public education efforts by giving presentations to various business, civic and community groups.
• Receives and responds to inquiries, requests for assistance, concerns and complaints regarding department programs and activities.
• May provide instruction, guidance and limited supervision of assigned lower-level staff.
• Performs a variety of administrative / clerical work as assigned, including but not limited to preparing reports and correspondence, entering and retrieving computer data, preparing spreadsheets, copying and filing documents, receiving and receipting monies, answering the telephone, etc.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Senior Agricultural Biologist (In addition to the above)

• Provides technical and functional direction to assigned staff; reviews and controls quality of work; participates in performing complex permit processing duties.
• Trains employees in work principles, practices, methods, policies, procedures, and applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assists in the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards including recommending improvements.
• Coordinates and integrates program services and activities with other agencies and County departments.
• Represents the department at meetings with representatives of governmental agencies, professional, business, community organizations, and the public.
• Coordinates special projects and programs as assigned.
• Provides general information regarding department policies, procedures, and regulations, including responding to complaints and requests for information and service.
• Assists supervisor with various administrative tasks as assigned.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings and committees; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of assigned environmental programs; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to County needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.

Knowledge of:
Agricultural Biologist I/II

• Applicable federal, state and county laws, codes, rules, regulations and standards affecting agricultural use and functions and weights and measures.
• Agricultural inspection methods related to plant quarantine, pest detection, nursery and seed regulation, pesticide use enforcement, vertebrate, insect & disease pest management, fruit, vegetable and egg quality control, weed control, apiary regulations, etc.
• Principles and practices of weights and measures inspection, including measuring / weighing devices, quantity control of packaged commodities, electric measuring devices, and compressed gases.
• Business letter and report writing.
• Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work.
• English usage, grammar, spelling, vocabulary, and punctuation.
• Techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and County staff.

Senior Agricultural Biologist (In addition to the above)

• Basic principles of supervision and training.
• Basic principles of administration.
• Advanced agricultural inspection methods related to plant quarantine, pest detection, nursery and seed regulation, pesticide use enforcement, vertebrate, insect & disease pest management, fruit, vegetable and egg quality control, weed control, apiary regulations, etc.
• Advanced principles and practices of weights and measures inspection, including measuring / weighing devices, quantity control of packaged commodities, electric measuring devices, and compressed gases.

Ability to:
Agricultural Biologist I/II

• Understand, interpret and apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, policies and procedures pertaining to department administration and operations.
• Conduct inspection, detecting, and sampling in agriculture and weights and measures.
• Effectively gather and evaluate facts and evidence.
• Safely operate, calibrate and maintain analytical devices and equipment.
• Understand and follow complex oral and written instructions.
• Interpret department projects and programs to the public.
• Prepare accurate records and reports in a timely manner.
• Perform required mathematical computations with accuracy.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy and legal guidelines in politically sensitive situations.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Senior Agricultural Biologist (In addition to the above)

• Plan, schedule, assign, and oversee activities of staff; train staff in work procedures.
• Conduct inspection, detecting and sampling in agriculture and weights and measures.
• Effectively gather and evaluate complex and difficult facts and evidence.
• Analyze complex problems, evaluate alternatives and make sound recommendations in support of goals.
• Interpret, apply, explain and ensure compliance with applicable Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Exercise sound independent judgment within general policy guidelines.
• Represent the County effectively in meetings with others and make presentations to various groups.
• Interpret complex department projects and programs to the public.
• Prepare, verify and maintain complex records, reports, and recommendations.

Education and Experience:
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be

Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in agricultural, biological or physical science, or a closely related field.

Agricultural Biologist I: No experience.

Agricultural Biologist II: Two (2) years of increasingly responsible experience as an Agricultural/Weights and Measures in a California county, or two (2) years as an Agricultural Biologist I in Tuolumne County.

Senior Agricultural Biologist: Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience as an Agricultural Weights and Measures Inspector in a California county, or two (2) years of experience as an Agricultural Biologist II in Tuolumne County.

Licenses and Certifications:

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment and a satisfactory driving record.

Agricultural Biologist I/II:

• Eligible to obtain County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and County Weights and Measures Inspector licenses issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Agricultural Biologist II: (In addition to above)

• Possession of at least four (4) valid inspector licenses issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Senior Agricultural Biologist:

• Possession of at least eight (8) valid County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and County Weights and Measures Inspector licenses issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture.