Plant Health Inspector (Project)

State of Ohio; Bethel (OH); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Ohio, Ohio Department of Agriculture, is seeking a Project Plant Health Inspector for Clermont County. You will learn from top experts and perform inspections for pest infestations, conduct surveys, and ensure compliance with quarantines and regulations.

This temporary, full-time role offers hands-on field work and substantial public outreach. You will utilize GIS tools to map findings, coordinate with local and federal agencies, and assist in training staff to perform program

Qualifications

• Completion of undergraduate core coursework in agricultural field.
• 1 year experience in agricultural field commensurate with duties.

Responsibilities

• Conducts/leads inspections for signs of ALB infestation on public & private properties.
• Participates in survey progression, regulatory, contractor, & data reconciliation meetings.
• Assures compliance with ALB quarantine & movement of firewood.
• Prepares reports of findings for inspections and assists program planning.
• Places traps & inspects for pests such as SLF, BTM, and others.
• Conducts outreach & education to the public & stakeholders; updates manuals.
• Provides presentations; assists in training staff for duties.
• Conducts analysis of GIS projects and produces maps for planning & reporting.
• Operates GIS software to create/revise maps for project management.

Skills

Plant Health

Education

Undergraduate core coursework in agricultural field

Job description

All job postings will expire at 11:59 PM Eastern Time on the application deadline.

Organization: Agriculture

Agency Contact Name and Information: Keary Sorgini; [e-mail]

Work Location: 3079 Angel Drive Bethel, Ohio, 45106 United States

Compensation: $28.76 - $38.01

Schedule: Temporary - Full Time

Work Hours: 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, M-F

Classified Indicator: Unclassified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill: Plant Health

Competitive Salary: $59,821 - $79,061 Annually

Who We Are

Agriculture is the heart of it all in Ohio!

The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects all Ohioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving our natural resources and supporting farmers. ODA is cabinet-level agency reporting to Governor DeWine. Food and agriculture is one of Ohio’s top industries employing one in eight people. Ohio is home to more than 73,000 farms, with agriculture touching every part of the state. Not only does Ohio rank number one in Swiss cheese production, but we are top three in the nation’s egg production and seventh in soybean production. Ohio’s farmers impact those well beyond state lines, feeding families across the nation.

ODA’s beautiful campus is located in Reynoldsburg on 158-acres. Not only is parking free, but food trucks frequent the campus for coffee and lunch.

You’ll find great coworkers here, who are experts in their field and care about the work they do.

What We Do

Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculture means strengthening our state with the help of our 25 divisions programs. Our staff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. We protect Ohio’s farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all while keeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are home to the state’s top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewide lab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you pay for through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, and protects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

As a member of team ODA, you will be working with people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a difference for all Ohioans.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Plant Health houses the Grain Warehouse, Feed & Seed, Pesticide & Fertilizer Regulation, and Plant Pest Control sections, which are responsible for many consumer- and farmer-protections regulations. Staff members' duties include registering pesticides, licensing pesticide applicators, investigating pesticide use complaints, verifying label statements on feed and fertilizers, monitoring the financial stability of grain elevators, testing germination of packaged seeds, inspecting honey bee colonies, regulating plant nursery stock, and working with USDA-APHIS and the U.S. Forest Service to control invasive pest species. Their goal is to hold businesses which produce, process, and distribute plant-based agricultural products to high standards of integrity and safety.

What You’ll Do

No ag background, no problem! You’ll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio. The Division of Plant Health is seeking qualified ODA employees to fill a Project Plant Health Inspector position in Clermont County.

This position is responsible for:

• Conducts/leads inspections for signs of Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) infestation in forests &/or landscapes on public & private properties
• Participates in survey progression, regulatory, contractor, &/or data reconciliation meetings
• Assures compliance with relevant laws & regulations regarding the ALB quarantine & movement of firewood
• Prepares reports of findings for all inspections completed & assists with program planning
• Places traps & inspects for spongy moth, spotted lanternfly (SLF), box tree moth (BTM) & other plant pests (e.g., egg mass & other life stage surveys)
• Conducts outreach & education to the public & stakeholders & maintains & updates manuals
• Provides presentations to specialized audiences & assists & conducts training to prepare other staff to perform program duties
• Conducts analysis of GIMS projects (e.g., locates invasive species in geo-space & performs measurements, counts, computations, & proximity analysis)
• Operates GIS software(e.g., ArcGIS for Desktop &/or Server) to produce &/or revise maps for planning & report preparation, documentation & project management
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge & understanding of concepts of aviation safety & operations
• Assists with the operation & coordination of the aerial spray project (e.g., aerial hazard surveys, public meetings & other communications)
• Assists with the recruitment, training & oversight of Spongy Moth Program block observers, crew leaders & trapper contractors
• Assists other ODA personnel in generating GIS layers & maps for department based upon database extracts
• Works with local, state & federal agencies as required
• Assists management with pesticide treatment planning & application
• Conducts inspections of nursery facilities, garden centers, green houses, retail stores, producers, & wholesalers of nursery stock
• Researches & completes federal phytosanitary forms for exporting agricultural crops

Additional Information

This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members.All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.

We Support Diversity and Inclusion

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of these principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, please notify the assigned recruiter.

Unusual Working Conditions

Works outside exposed to varying weather conditions; exposed to pesticides; exposed to machinery, dirt & dust; climbs heights of up to 130 feet; exposed to insects & subject to insect stings, ticks & poison ivy; exposed to angry hostile landowners; required to work in crawl spaces when conducting inspections; requires overnight travel.

Training & Development Required to Remain in Classification After Employment

Must obtain federal credentials commensurate with program area to be assigned as per approved position description on file (e.g., USEPA, FIFRA, FDA, USDA ACO).

For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact

Keary Sorgini [e-mail]

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position.An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free Workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). The recommended candidate for this position will be required to take a drug screen as part of their approval process. A candidate who tests positive for illegal or improperly used controlled drugs will not be hired.

Why Work for the State of Ohio

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Completion of undergraduate core coursework in agricultural field (e.g., agronomy, biology, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, environmental science) AND 1 year experience in agricultural field commensurate with duties to be performed as described on the approved position description on file 3 months experience in operation of personal computer

AND Valid driver's license from state of residence OR Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

ADA Statement

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug-Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.