AGRICULTURIST 2

State of Nevada (NV); Sparks (NV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Nevada Department of Agriculture seeks an Agriculturist 2 in Sparks to coordinate the Export Phytosanitary Certification and Shipping Point Inspection programs. The role conducts inspections, pursues USDA accreditation, and serves as lead worker for program activities.

Duties include licensing, certification, field inspections, and data maintenance. Two+ years of relevant experience and high school diploma are required.

Qualifications

• Two or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties and graduation from high school or equivalent education.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical inspection and enforcement tasks related to agricultural programs.
• Conduct seed testing by weighing, separating, and classifying samples.
• Inspect shipping point and conditional inspections of agricultural commodities.
• Enforce federal and State pesticide regulations and licensing requirements.
• Prepare inspection reports and program records.
• Conduct outreach on agricultural topics and regulations.

Job description

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), Division of Plant Heath and Compliance is seeking to fill one vacant Agriculturist 2 position in the Sparks office. The incumbent will serve as the program coordinator for the Export Phytosanitary Certification Program and the Shipping Point Inspection Program. This role provides program coordination and lead worker responsibilities but is not the direct manager of either program. Primary duties of this position include: Conducting a variety of inspections with emphasis on export certification and shipping point inspections, but also will assist with nursery inspections and other inspections as assigned, Obtaining USDA Accredited Certifying Official accreditation and USDA BIQMS inspector certification with-in 6 months of hire (required), Obtaining BIQMS Supervisor verification within one year of hire, Performing licensing, inspection, enforcement actions, and certification activities, including field inspections for USDA phytosanitary certification and commodity grading, Performing certification duties associated with the USDA BIQMS program, Maintain program databases and office records, ensuring compliance with USDA regulations, standards, and program requirements, Working cooperatively with local, state, and federal agencies, community organizations, business owners, and the general public. The position is physically demanding; working in hot or cold weather, or dusty conditions, and walking over uneven terrain. Receives training in the performance of duties described above. This position may be required to work occasional nights and weekends. This position functions as a lead worker for program activities.

Agriculturists perform a variety of inspections and enforcement duties related to regulated agricultural programs.

Two or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties and graduation from high school or equivalent education.

1. Perform technical inspection and enforcement duties related to agricultural programs in a limited capacity.
2. Perform seed testing by weighing, separating, and classifying samples received.
3. Perform seed certification, determine eligibility, inspect fields and issue reports.
4. Examine pesticide labels for methods, rates of application, and dilution rates.
5. Collect and package samples for laboratory analysis, investigate complaints, and issue notices of violations.
6. Review forms and reports, statistical data, and determine inspection quotas.
7. Prepare inspection reports.
8. Participate in weed surveys, identification, and control programs.
9. Identify and report infestations of noxious weeds, mix herbicides, identify specimens submitted, record data, and recommend control procedures.
10. Inspect commercial feeds and gather, examine and/or package samples for analysis.
11. Perform shipping point and conditional inspections of agricultural commodities.
12. Inspect retail outlets, wholesalers, and agricultural facilities.
13. Conduct outreach related to various agricultural topics and regulations including but not limited to native seed and noxious weeds.
14. Enforce federal and State laws and regulations related to mixing, use, disposal, sale, and distribution of pesticides and/or fertilizers by licensed and certified applicators, public applicators, retail outlets or user locations.
15. Perform a broad range of duties relating to the agricultural programs’ inspection and enforcement.
16. Prepare informational and regulatory bulletins.
17. Issue seed movement permits and create certification standards for new crops.
18. Evaluate pest control firms, process applications, issue licenses, and review reports.
19. Investigate complaints related to pest control.
20. Administer licensing programs for commercial pest control firms, operators, and restricted-use certification.
21. Provide education on various agricultural topics and regulations including but not limited to noxious weeds, seed certification, produce safety, pest control, plant disease diagnostics.
22. Maintain data, prepare reports, monitor budgets to assist in the administration of contracts, grants, and purchasing and budget preparation.
23. Perform various laboratory diagnostic procedures using laboratory instruments and prepare related reports
24. Monitor and calibrate laboratory equipment, monitor supplies, maintain microbiological cultures.
25. Perform related duties as assigned.

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

Knowledge of:

• Federal and Statepesticide enforcement programs; native plant taxonomy.
• Noxious weeds; nursery and pest controlinspection and investigationprocedures; sample collection and processing procedures; quarantined or serious pest insects, weeds and diseases; standards for fruits, vegetables, eggs and poultry; different pesticides and their effect on humans, pests, non-target animals, and environment; pesticide registration, labeling and use.
• Applicator certification and pest control operator licensing; identification and control of wood-destroying pests; fertilizer registration and restricted–use pesticides traps to monitor insects and their proper distribution.
• Insect and vertebrate pests, weed, and diseases of plants, their biology, hosts, effects and control.
• Nursery and pest control investigationprocedures, including sample collection and processing procedures; quarantined or serious pest insects, weeds and diseases.

Ability to:

• Prepare analytical, narrative, and statistical reports.
• Prepare and make presentations to the public.