Pesticide Investigator #01033

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Roanoke (VA); Remote; USD 46,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Agriculture is hiring a Pesticide Investigator to monitor pesticide usage, conduct inspections, and investigate pesticide-related incidents within the Roanoke territory. The role requires strong knowledge of pesticides, data analysis, and excellent communication skills.

A state vehicle is provided for field work; home-based with travel within the assigned counties. Applicants should possess extensive pesticide knowledge, familiarity with regulations, and the ability to

Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of chemical products used as pesticides and governing laws.
• Ability to gather, understand and analyze data in investigations.
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with proper business language.

Responsibilities

• Monitor pesticide uses for compliance with label directions and laws.
• Inspect pesticide licensed businesses and certified applicators.
• Investigate spills, bird kills, fish kills, environmental damages, or injuries from pesticide use.
• Collect pesticide samples for analysis.
• Prepare administrative, investigative and inspection reports daily.
• Serve as the local pesticide information resource.
• Participate in and monitor recertification programs; attend meetings.

Skills

Pesticide knowledge

MS Office Suite

Communication skills

Independent work

Ethical conduct

Physical ability

Education

Agronomy

Entomology

Horticulture

Plant Pathology

Biological Sciences

Chemical Sciences

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

Title: Pesticide Investigator #01033

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $45,739 - $68,227

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department Of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Pesticide Services, is seeking a qualified, self-motivated individual to as a pesticide Investigator in the Enforcement and Field Operations Section. Duties include: monitoring agricultural and structural pesticide uses for compliance with label directions, laws and regulations; conducting routine Of pesticide licensed businesses and certified applicators for compliance with state/federal laws; conducting investigations involving pesticide-related spills, bird kills, fish kills, environmental damages Or human/animal injury from the use/misuse of pesticides; collecting pesticide samples for analysis; initiating corrective actions when violations are found; preparing administrative, investigative and inspection reports on a daily basis; serving as the local pesticide information resource; participating in and monitoring pesticide applicator recertification programs to assure compliance with established guidelines; and attending or making presentations at various pesticide-related
association and industry meetings. Following completion of field training in all parts of the state, the selected candidate will be home-based in the Roanoke territory and cover Alleghany, Amherst, Bath, (City), Bedford, Botetourt, Buena Vista, Covington, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Lexington, Montgomery, Radford, Roanoke (City), Roanoke, Rockbridge, Salem, and Lynchburg. The selected individual must reside or be willing to relocate within a reasonable distance of the assigned territory. A state-owned vehicle will be provided for business use only; however, the state car must remain parked within territory even if the successful applicant resides outside of the assigned cities/counties. The home office must have reliable access to a network for mobile communications.

Minimum Qualifications

Extensive knowledge of chemical products used as pesticides; accepted uses of pesticides; methods and procedures used in the production, storage, and sale of pesticides; and laws and regulations governing the manufacturing, processing, storage, disposal, sale and use of pesticides. Computer proficiency to include MS Office Suite. Ability to establish/maintain effective working relationships with the public in order to facilitate investigations; to gather, understand and analyze pertinent data in investigations; interpret and apply related regulations; and render reasonable and rational decisions. Obtain and maintain federal credentials. Demonstrated ability to work independently and present a professional image to all clients to include communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, using proper business language and grammar. Display high standards of ethical conduct; display a high level of initiative, effort, attention to detail and commitment by completing assignments efficiently with minimal supervision; cooperate with others and align behavior with the goals of the agency. Ability to detect odors, hear and understand normal conversation, distinguish colors, stand, bend, walk, work, and crawl in restrictive areas (crawl spaces and attics) and diverse terrain. Ability to handle, lift and manipulate items and equipment up to 50 pounds in weight. Demonstrated visual acuity sufficient to perform the duties of the position. Ability to work in close quarters (crawl spaces and attics) when necessary. Ability to work in the vicinity of pesticides, in storage or in use, on a daily basis.

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and current experience indicating possession of the skills and abilities to include knowledge in Agronomy, Entomology, Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Biological Sciences, Chemical Sciences, or other agricultural sciences that deal with the care of agricultural plants & animals preferred. Additionally, working knowledge of Federal & Virginia pesticide laws and regulations and the ability to communicate fluently in Spanish or another language also preferred.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact [e-mail].

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.