Assistant / Associate / Associate Civil Engineer

City of Santa Fe Springs; Marysville (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Kings County is seeking a qualified Agricultural Inspector/Weighs and Measures Inspector to conduct field surveys, inspections, and regulatory enforcement across agricultural and weights & measures programs. The role involves reporting, public guidance, and compliance actions as required by law.

Applicants should have relevant California licenses or equivalent education in agriculture or measurement science, and be prepared for outdoor work, varying hours, and potential use of safety equipment

Qualifications

• Possession of one or more valid California licenses as County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector (License requirement)
• Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in agriculture, biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or related field
• Or an Associate of Science degree in measurement science with weights and measures option with one year of enforcement experience

Responsibilities

• Conducts field surveys and inspections related to pesticide regulation, environmental monitoring, and weights & measures
• Investigates commodity fitness and recommends remedial measures
• Disseminates policies and regulations to the public and industry
• Prepares routine reports and presents findings to stakeholders
• Enforces laws, issues citations, and participates in hearings as needed

Skills

Pesticide regulation

Environmental monitoring

Public information

Oral presentation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in agriculture or related field

Associate of Science in measurement science (weights & measures)

Tools

Measurement instruments

Weighing equipment

Job description

JOB OPPORTUNITY

One immediate vacancy in the County Ag Commissioner's Office. The County Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer of Weights and Measures Office combines the functions of agricultural inspection and weights and measures utilizing the Agricultural and Standards Inspector series in both functional areas to perform the services, inspections and controls required by law.

DUTY SAMPLE

Conducts field surveys and inspections in areas applicable to the Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer Office, including: pesticide regulation, investigation and environmental monitoring; integrated pest management; commodity regulation; pest prevention and plant regulation; weight verification; measurement verification; and transaction and product verification; investigates and determines commodity fitness and recommends remedial measures used in regulation of agricultural industry, such as suggestions or reprimands, issuing certificates of compliance or notice of non-compliance, ordering reconditioning or destruction of commodities, office hearings or issuing citations; disseminates agricultural and weights and measures policies, legal requirements and information; advises and serves the general public, community groups, government agencies and private industry on agricultural and weights and measures problems and concerns; conducts studies and reports such as annual crop statistics, pesticide illness investigations, statistical sampling surveys, follow-up inspections and investigation of complaints and violations; prepares routine reports and correspondence; makes oral presentations.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**

License: Possession of one or more valid California licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector; OR Education: Equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with major coursework in agriculture, biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or a closely related field such as law enforcement, commerce or marketing. (Substitution: Experience in one or more of the following may be substituted for up to two years of the required education on a year-for-year basis: (1) enforcement of weights and measures or agricultural laws; (2) the inspection, maintenance, repair or installation of weighing or measuring instruments or equipment; (3) consumer protection or resolution of consumer complaints in a public or private consumer affairs agency; (4) law enforcement or investigation work in a federal, state or local jurisdiction; (5) responsible quantity control work in the production of consumer commodities); OR Education/Experience: Possession of an Associate of Science degree in measurement science with a weights and measures option from a California community college, AND one year of experience in the enforcement of weights and measures laws or in the inspection, maintenance, repair or installation of weighing or measuring instruments or equipment. NOTE: Incumbents appointed to the position who do not possess a valid license as listed above must obtain at least one of the required California licenses within 12 months from the date of appointment to remain in the position.

License: Possession of an appropriate, valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Certain positions within this classification may be required to possess and maintain a Class A or B commercial license in order to operate "safety sensitive" vehicles, and in accordance with federal law, will be required to submit to pre-employment drug testing and on-going drug and alcohol testing as a condition of employment.

Special Requirements: Ability to work irregular hours in an outdoors environment under changing weather and temperature conditions; ability to walk two miles or more on uneven terrain; ability to lift, carry or move objects weighing up to 50 pounds. Based on assignment, incumbents may be required to handle and discharge firearms necessary for the control of wildlife, operate off-road vehicles, and/or handle, mix, load and apply chemical controls for weeds and rodents.

Knowledge of: General principles of plant growth and development; insect, animal and disease vectors and their control; types of crops grown and farming methods practiced in Kings County; integrated pest management; pesticides; provisions of the California Food and Agricultural Code, California Code of Regulations, the County Code, and related state and federal laws and regulations in the functional areas of agricultural or weights and measures inspection and enforcement; basic mathematics; departmental safety practices for the use and maintenance of equipment and use of various agricultural related materials.

Ability to: Provide information and explanation of laws, regulations, and technical matters to the public on an individual or group basis; enforce laws, issue citations and notices of violations, make appropriate recommendations for corrective action as conditions or studies warrant or permit; identify pests; inspect for pesticide use; operate eradication equipment; correctly and accurately use scientific precision measuring instruments and other technical equipment; organize and prioritize work activities; follow oral and written instructions; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; read and understand technical material such as federal, state and local laws, regulations and ordinances; maintain records and collect and organize information from records, interviews or tests; record monies received, calculate packaging errors, use sampling techniques, read and calibrate measurement instruments and convert mass volume and length measurements; prepare clear, concise and grammatically correct reports and correspondence; communicate effectively with the public, co-workers and industry people; safely operate County equipment and vehicles, including off-road vehicles; handle and discharge firearms; handle, mix, load and apply chemical controls for weeds and rodents.

SELECTION PROCESS: **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER**

Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the selection process may include a screening (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%), which may include a written practical component.

Salary.

Salary is usually quoted at the beginning and maximum levels of a five-step pay range. Dollar amounts shown are the monthly equivalents of the official bi-weekly rate (26 pay periods per year). An employee will normally begin at the first step, advance to the second step upon successful completion of a probationary period (or six months, whichever comes first) and receive periodic merit increases to the maximum step.

ALL NEW EMPLOYEES ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THEIR PAYCHECK DIRECTLY DEPOSITED TO A BANK ACCOUNT.

Retirement Benefits.

Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. Depending on bargaining unit agreements, the County may pay for some of the employee's contribution.

The County contracts with the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate.

Effective January 1, 2013, All New Members To CalPERS, Or Existing Members With More Than a 6 Month Break In Service From a Qualifying Previous Public Employer, Will Be Enrolled In One Of The Following CalPERS Retirement Plans (with Three Year Average Final Compensation) Based On Their Classification

• Miscellaneous - 2% at 62

• Safety - 2.7% at 57

Required

If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013:

• Miscellaneous - 2% at 55

• Safety - 3% at 55

The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan).

Deferred Compensation.

Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. Management level and Prosecutors' Association employees are eligible for a contribution match.

Holidays.

New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, half-day Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday.

Vacation.

Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements. Employees can request vacation time off after the completion of six months of satisfactory continuous service.

Sick Leave.

Sick Leave is accrued for each hour worked. Accrual rates vary depending on date of hire and bargaining unit agreements. The accumulation of sick leave starts from your first day of employment and sick leave may be requested subsequent to the time it is earned.

Health Insurance.

Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit.

Retiree Health Insurance.

Upon retirement from the County, and depending on bargaining unit agreements, a percentage of accrued sick leave may be converted to be used to pay for retiree health insurance benefits for eligible employee and spouse.

Education Reimbursement Program.

Full-time, permanent employees are eligible to receive up to $500 for units earned toward an associate's degree, or up to $1,000 for units toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Permanent employees who work at least half-time are eligible. Extra help employees are not eligible. Courses must be to increase their knowledge or ability to perform their present job or to prepare for a higher level job with the County.

Flexible Benefits Program.

Optional program allows employees to pay for certain qualified benefits with pre-tax salary (such as child care expenses, unreimbursed medical costs, or health insurance premiums).

THE EMPLOYMENT PROCESS

As a potential applicant for employment, you are about to participate in a series of events collectively called the employment process. Because the goal of the employment process is to obtain qualified candidates to fill County positions, examinations are generally administered to each applicant. These examinations are conducted in a variety of ways, yet they share a common purpose - to test applicants for knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform the duties and responsibilities of the job.

Testing or Test Site Accommodations - Advance Notice.

If you feel you need special testing accommodation for an examination due to a qualifying physical or mental disability, you must contact Human Resources at [phone] ext 2510 at least three (3) working days prior to the date of your examination. You may be required to submit valid medical or other documentation of the specific need for accommodation at least one working day before the examination. If you do not provide advanced notice and/or valid documentation, the County may not be able to provide accommodation for a scheduled examination.

The employment process occurs in several stages which are described below:

Examination.

Applicants who meet the qualification standards may be further screened. Those who are successful in the screening process are notified by mail to take an examination which may include a written, oral or performance examinations, or a combination thereof. If there is more than one part to an examination, a candidate must be successful on each preceding part to be allowed to compete in the next part. The number of candidates allowed to compete in successive parts of examinations may be limited to a specific number of candidates with the highest scores on the preceding parts of examination.

Eligible Lists.

Eligible lists contain names, in descending order of scores, of applicants who have passed the examination process. As vacancies occur, the names available at that time are submitted (certified) to the employing department. That department interviews and makes a selection. The other names are returned to the list for consideration of future vacancies for that position. Normally, a minimum of five names are submitted for one vacancy.

Medical Evaluation/Examination.

A pre‑employment medical evaluation, including a urine drug screen, may be required of all applicants who receive a conditional offer of employment. Applicants in certain job classifications will also be required to complete a medical examination, which may include a psychological examination. The evaluation/examination(s) is administered at the County's expense. Candidates are cautioned not to quit or give notice to present employers until the medical evaluation/examination(s) has been completed and passed.

Appointment.

All new employees are required to sign various forms related to County employment, and must verify identity and entitlement to work in the United States by providing proper documentation within 72 hours of employment as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

Probationary Period.

Employees serve a probationary period ranging from six months to one year prior to being considered "permanent". An employee may be terminated with or without cause during the initial probationary period.

Driver's License.

A valid, appropriate California driver's license may be required for some positions. An employee may be required to use his/her own automobile in the course of employment. If so, there will be compensation at an established mileage reimbursement rate.

Public Employee Oath.

The California State Constitution requires that all public employees, before performing their duties, take and sign an oath or affirmation to support, defend, and bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitutions of the United States and the State of California. California law also requires that all public employees be declared disaster service workers, and as such, may be assigned disaster service activities during natural, man made, or war‑caused emergencies.

Note: The provisions of this bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision or procedure described herein may be modified or revoked at any time without notice.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

01

Do you possess a valid California drivers license?

• Yes
• No

02

Which best describes your level of education in the are of agriculture, biological sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or a closely related field such as law enforcement, commerce, marketing, or weights and measures?

• None
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree

03

Do you possess one or more valid California licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or County Weights and Measures Inspector?

• Yes
• No

04

Which best describes the amount of full‑time experience you have in the area agriculture, pest control, or weights and measures?

• Less than 6 months
• 6 months to 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 2 or more years

05

By clicking on the "Accept" button, I hereby certify that all information provided in the application and supplemental questions is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I understand that all information provided herein is subject to verification. I further understand and agree that any misstatements or omissions of material fact will cause forfeiture on my part of all rights to employment with Kings County.

• I accept.
• No. I do not agree.
• Required Question