SENIOR AGRICULTURIST

State-of-Nevad; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA) is seeking a Senior Agriculturist to join the Las Vegas office. The incumbent will conduct inspections of pest control applicators, investigate violations, and assist with licensing programs under supervision.

The role involves fieldwork, data maintenance, and coordinating with industry partners to ensure regulatory compliance. Three or more years of related experience and a high school diploma or equivalent are required.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of pesticides, vertebrate pests, and their habitat.
• Familiarity with federal/state pesticide enforcement programs.
• Experience with inspection and investigation procedures; sample collection and processing.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical inspection and enforcement duties related to agricultural programs.
• Inspect pesticide labels for application methods, rates, and dilution rates.
• Collect samples for laboratory analysis and investigate complaints.
• Prepare inspection reports and maintain licensing records.

Skills

Pesticides knowledge

Inspection skills

Enforcement experience

Report writing

Communication

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), Division of Plant Health and Compliance, is seeking to fill one vacant position of Senior Agriculturist, in the Las Vegas office. This is incumbent will work under the general direction of the pest control program manager (Agriculturist Supervisor) in the Nevada Department of Agriculture, Las Vegas office. Responsibilities include inspecting pest control applicators at their office/warehouse and in the field according to neutral scheme inspection schedules and protocol; work with companies and applicators to correct non-compliance issues with applicable codes; investigating verified complaints from the public as to possible violations of pesticide statutes and code; inspections of restricted use pesticide (RUP) dealers for compliance with federal and state statute and code; inspect fumigation sites as needed; refers all potential violations to the program manager for possible enforcement actions; and assists with managing the Nevada pest control licensing program with the assistance of an Administrative Assistant II. The incumbent will maintain the state pest control licensing database, along with licensing and enforcement records. The incumbent works with private industry to correct non-compliance issues and provide pest control licensing data and information related to pest control licensing processes and records for use in ongoing software development.

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

Three 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. Examine pesticide labels for methods, rates of application, and dilution rates.
3. Collect and package samples for laboratory analysis, investigate complaints, and issue notices of violations.
4. Review forms and reports, statistical data, and determine inspection quotas.
5. Prepare inspection reports.
6. Inspect retail outlets, wholesalers, and agricultural facilities.
7. Enforce federal and State laws and regulations related to mixing, use, disposal, sale, and distribution of pesticides by licensed and certified applicators, public applicators, retail outlets or user locations.
8. Perform a broad range of duties relating to the agricultural programs’ inspection and enforcement.
9. Prepare informational and regulatory bulletins.
10. Evaluate pest control firms, process applications, issue licenses, and review reports.
11. Investigate complaints related to pest control.
12. Administer licensing programs for commercial pest control firms, operators, and restricted-use certification.
13. Provide education on various agricultural topics and regulations including but not limited to pest control.
14. Maintain data, prepare reports, monitor budgets to assist in the administration of contracts, grants, and purchasing and budget preparation.
15. Plan, organize, and implement agricultural programs.
16. Coordinate pesticide applicator education and regulate safe pesticide use.
17. Administer or participate in the pest control program and inspection program.
18. May train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate the performance of employees, and other supervisory duties as appropriate for managing people.
19. 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:

• Pesticides, vertebrate pests and their habitat.
• Federal and Statepesticide enforcement programs
• Pest controlinspection and investigationprocedures; sample collection and processing procedures; 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; pesticide registration; restricted–use pesticides, traps to monitor insects, and their proper distribution.
• Insect and vertebrate pests, weeds, and diseases of plants.

Ability to:

• Prepare analytical, narrative, and statistical reports.
• Prepare and make presentations to regulated community.