Merced County Agricultural Biologist I/II/III

California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association is seeking a field-focused inspector to support pest surveillance, pesticide use oversight, and certification processes. You will examine fields for infestation, assist in eradication, and prepare records and reports for compliance with California regulations.

The role involves handling restricted pesticides, enforcing quarantine laws, preparing shipments certifications, and educating growers on safe pesticide use.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the examination of fields, roadways, and cultivated areas to determine location and extent of infestation of rodents, weeds, birds, insects or predators, and for presence or extent of plant disease infestation, and assists in their eradication or control.
• Prepare poison grains for rodent control and its application.
• Mix restricted and non-restricted pesticides.
• Enforce quarantine laws relating to the prevention of the introduction or spread of pests, and certifies acceptability or specifies treatment of shipments as a condition of movement.
• Educate growers/farmers and others involved in use of pesticides.
• Keep records of inspections and prepares reports.
• Examine fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, eggs, and other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses, and storage areas for compliance with regulations relating to standards, grades, and spray residue.
• Issue certificates of inspections.
• Examine plants and trees in nurseries and those arriving or shipped by private or common carrier for evidence of disease, pests of noxious weed seeds, cleanliness and proper labeling.
• Inspect agricultural commodities being shipped to see that they are free from injurious insects or plant diseases.
• Assure growers' compliance with laws and regulations concerning pesticides.
• Issue restricted materials permits to growers.
• Administer tests to growers for certified/restricted applicator certificates and explains county requirements.
• Conduct field review and inspection of pesticide use based on crops to be sprayed and drift possibilities to surrounding areas.
• Interview and conducts fact finding investigations of potential pesticide poisoning/chemical incidents and issues notice of violations if appropriate.
• Issue permits and supervises the application of toxic materials to crops.
• Supervise extra help staff and participates in the examination of fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, eggs, and other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses, and storage areas for compliance with regulations relating to standards, grades, as outlined in the California Agricultural Code, and spray residue.
• Enforce quarantine laws relating to the prevention of the introduction or spread of pests, and certifies acceptability and issues Photo-Sanitary Certification or specifies treatment of shipments as a condition of movement.
• Issue producers certificate and work with products retailers as to correct labeling as to variety, weight, and count.
• Complete reports of finding issues notice of violations if appropriate.
• Present various training sessions to growers, and operators.

Job description

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in the examination of fields, roadways, and cultivated areas to determine location and extent of infestation of rodents, weeds, birds, insects or predators, and for presence or extent of plant disease infestation, and assists in their eradication or control.
• Prepare poison grains for rodent control and its application.
• Mix restricted and non-restricted pesticides.
• Enforce quarantine laws relating to the prevention of the introduction or spread of pests, and certifies acceptability or specifies treatment of shipments as a condition of movement.
• Educate growers/farmers and others involved in use of pesticides.
• Keep records of inspections and prepares reports.
• Examine fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, eggs, and other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses, and storage areas for compliance with regulations relating to standards, grades, and spray residue.
• Issue certificates of inspections.
• Examine plants and trees in nurseries and those arriving or shipped by private or common carrier for evidence of disease, pests of noxious weed seeds, cleanliness and proper labeling.
• Inspect agricultural commodities being shipped to see that they are free from injurious insects or plant diseases.
• Assure growers' compliance with laws and regulations concerning pesticides.
• Issue restricted materials permits to growers.
• Administer tests to growers for certified/restricted applicator certificates and explains county requirements.
• Conduct field review and inspection of pesticide use based on crops to be sprayed and drift possibilities to surrounding areas.
• Interview and conducts fact finding investigations of potential pesticide poisoning/chemical incidents and issues notice of violations if appropriate.
• Issue permits and supervises the application of toxic materials to crops.
• Supervise extra help staff and participates in the examination of fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, eggs, and other agricultural commodities in markets, packing houses, and storage areas for compliance with regulations relating to standards, grades, as outlined in the California Agricultural Code, and spray residue.
• Enforce quarantine laws relating to the prevention of the introduction or spread of pests, and certifies acceptability and issues Photo-Sanitary Certification or specifies treatment of shipments as a condition of movement.
• Issue producers certificate and work with products retailers as to correct labeling as to variety, weight, and count.
• Complete reports of finding issues notice of violations if appropriate.
• Present various training sessions to growers, and operators.