SUPERVISOR, AGRICULTURIST

State-of-Nevad; Las Vegas (NV); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), Division of Plant Health and Compliance, is seeking to fill the vacant position of Supervisor, Agriculturist, in Las Vegas. The incumbent will supervise pest control licensing and enforcement, inspect applicators in offices and in the field, and work to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.

Responsibilities include managing the licensing database, administering examinations, assisting with grants and purchasing, and providing education on

Qualifications

• Four or more years of applicable experience in agricultural inspections.
• Minimum one year of supervisory experience preferred.
• Graduation from high school or equivalent education.

Responsibilities

• Perform technical inspection and enforcement duties related to agricultural programs in a limited capacity.
• Perform seed testing by weighing, separating, and classifying samples received.
• Inspect pest control licensing and enforcement activities as applicable to the program.
• Investigate complaints related to pest control and enforce related regulations.
• Coordinate with federal, state, and local agencies on pest control policies.
• Supervise Agriculturists and Administrative Assistants maintaining licensing databases and records.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Pest control inspections

Regulatory enforcement

Pesticide regulations knowledge

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), Division of Plant Health and Compliance, is seeking to fill a vacant position of Supervisor, Agriculturist, in Las Vegas. This is incumbent will work under the general direction of the Environmental Scientist IV. Responsibilities include supervising the pest control operations licensing & enforcement team. This team is responsible for inspecting pest control applicators at their office/warehouse and in the field according to neutral scheme inspection schedules and protocol; working 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; inspecting restricted use pesticide (RUP) dealers for compliance with federal and state statute and code; inspecting fumigation sites as needed; referring all potential violations to the incumbent for possible enforcement actions; and managing the Nevada pest control licensing program with the assistance of an Administrative Assistant II. The incumbent will supervise Agriculturists and Administrative Assistants maintaining the state pest control licensing database, along with licensing and enforcement records and administering examinations for commercial pest control licensees and RUP certified applicators. 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. The incumbent will assist the Environmental Scientist IV in the administration of grants, contracts, and purchases.

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

Four or more years of applicable experience as described in the job duties with a minimum of one-year supervisory experience preferred and graduation from high school or equivalent education.

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.

1. Perform technical inspection and enforcement duties related to agricultural programs in a limited capacity.
2. Perform seed testing by weighing, separating, and classifying samples received.
3. Perform seed certification, determine eligibility, inspect fields and issue reports.
4. Examine pesticide labels for methods, rates of application, and dilution rates.
5. Collect and package samples for laboratory analysis, investigate complaints, and issue notices of violations.
6. Review forms and reports, statistical data, and determine inspection quotas.
7. Prepare inspection reports.
8. Participate in weed surveys, identification, and control programs.
9. Identify and report infestations of noxious weeds, mix herbicides, identify specimens submitted, record data, and recommend control procedures.
10. Inspect commercial feeds and gather, examine and/or package samples for analysis.
11. Perform shipping point and conditional inspections of agricultural commodities.
12. Inspect retail outlets, wholesalers, and agricultural facilities.
13. Conduct outreach related to various agricultural topics and regulations including but not limited to native seed and noxious weeds.
14. Enforce federal and State laws and regulations related to mixing, use, disposal, sale, and distribution of pesticides and/or fertilizers by licensed and certified applicators, public applicators, retail outlets or user locations.
15. Perform a broad range of duties relating to the agricultural programs’ inspection and enforcement.
16. Prepare informational and regulatory bulletins.
17. Issue seed movement permits and create certification standards for new crops.
18. Evaluate pest control firms, process applications, issue licenses, and review reports.
19. Investigate complaints related to pest control.
20. Administer licensing programs for commercial pest control firms, operators, and restricted-use certification.
21. Provide education on various agricultural topics and regulations including but not limited to noxious weeds, seed certification, produce safety, pest control, plant disease diagnostics.
22. Maintain data, prepare reports, monitor budgets to assist in the administration of contracts, grants, and purchasing and budget preparation.
23. Perform various laboratory diagnostic procedures using laboratory instruments and prepare related reports.
24. Monitor and calibrate laboratory equipment, monitor supplies, maintain microbiological cultures.
25. Plan, organize, and implement agricultural programs.
26. Coordinate pesticide applicator education and regulate safe pesticide use.
27. Administer or participate in the pest control program, seed certification program, nursery licensing and inspection program.
28. Plan, organize, and implement agricultural programs.
29. Administer contracts, grants, and purchasing and preparing budgets.
30. Coordinate with federal, State, and local governmental agencies, community organizations, businesses, and the public.
31. Train, supervise, schedule, and evaluate the performance of employees, and other supervisory duties as appropriate for managing people.
32. Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory techniques and practices; enforcement of agricultural laws and regulations; math computation; budgeting, contract and grant administration; purchasing.

Ability to:

• Prepare annual budgets based on projected fees collected; prepare training manuals and informational bulletins.
• Lead and motivate a diverse staff, set clear goals, delegate tasks effectively, and foster a positive and inclusive work environment.
• Communicate both verbally and in writing to audiences of various social, educational, and economic backgrounds.
• Resolve conflicts and mediate, negotiate, and exchange ideas, information, and opinions with employees, customers, or agencies; diffuse hostile situations respectfully and tactfully.
• Review work products for quality, quantity, and timeliness; analyze information, problems, situations, practices, or procedures to define objectives, identify relevant concerns, formulate logical conclusions, and recognize alternatives and their implications.