Weights & Measures Compliance Specialist 1 & 2 | Multiple Positions

State of Washington; Wenatchee (WA); Hybrid; USD 44,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Teleworking

PPE provided

Job summary

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is hiring Weights and Measures Compliance Specialists in an in-training program across WA. These roles enforce weights and measures laws, test scales and fuel dispensers, investigate complaints, and travel as needed. Training progresses to Specialist 2 with potential location pay for King County.

Hires may work from home duty stations in Grant, King, Skagit, or Whatcom counties and may telework under agency policy. Competitive state benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or higher with major coursework in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering, electronics, criminal justice, business administration or allied fields.
• Two years of experience in inspection, maintenance, repair, installation, and/or design of weighing or measuring equipment.

Responsibilities

• Enforce state and federal weights and measures laws to protect consumers and promote fair commerce.
• Inspect retail motor fuel stations for pricing, labeling, and accuracy of dispensers.
• Test and verify measurement devices and collect samples for lab testing.
• Inspect and approve weighing and measuring devices and investigate complaints.
• Travel to various counties as part of the in-training plan and duties.

Education

Associate degree or higher in Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Electronics, Criminal Justice, Business Administration or allied fields

Job description

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity

WSDA Weights and Measures Program promotes marketplace equity in commercial transactions through testing and inspecting commercial devices, price verification, package inspection, public education, monitoring fuel quality, and investigating complaints. In addition, this regulatory program maintains standards for mass, volume, and length to provide reliable measurement services for government and industry.

The Weights and Measures Compliance Specialist 1 & 2 is responsible for enforcing state and federal laws and regulations to protect consumers and to promote marketplace fairness. This position provides professional level technical assistance and expert advice to industry stakeholders.

These positions have been approved for a home duty station located in Grant, King, Skagit, or Whatcom County in Washington State. Travel is an expectation of these positions and may be required on a regular, sporadic, or as needed basis to perform the duties as assigned. These positions are represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Union.

This is an in-training opportunity and may be hired as Weights and Measures Compliance Specialist 1 or Weights and Measures Compliance Specialist 2, depending on qualifications.

What is an in-training plan? The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program, the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable.

If hired at the Weights and Measures Compliance Specialist 1 level, the incumbent will be required to successfully complete the training plan to reach the goal class of Weights and Measures Compliance Specialist 2. The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

Based on qualifications the monthly salary range: If hired as a Weights and Measures Compliance Specialist 1 - In-Training:

Range 40, Step A $43,836- Step L $56,952Annually

If hired as a Weights and Measures Compliance Specialist 2:

Range 46, Step A $50,412- Step L $66,072Annually

In addition to the salary listed above, incumbents assigned to a home duty station in King County will receive an additional 5% location pay stipend.

What to Expect

• Enforce state and federal weights and measures laws to protect consumers, help ensure fair competition among businesses and promote uniformity in commerce.
• Inspect retail motor fuel stations for advertising, product delivery documentation, pricing and labeling, fraud detection and safety/environmental requirements.
• Test retail motor fuel dispensers for accuracy, correct delivery and computation of charges.
• Collect motor fuel samples for laboratory testing in support of the State Motor Fuel Quality Act.
• Inspect and test small, intermediate and large capacity scales using certified test weights.
• Enforce package and labeling laws; inspects packaged items for weight, count and volume; inspects bulk commodities such as cordwood, sand and gravel, and garden bark.
• Approve, certify and seal correct and accurate devises. Stopping the use of devices that are inaccurate, not suitable for use and order them to be repaired or confiscate devices.
• Investigate consumer complaints and provide inspection services on request.
• Inspect other types of devises as they become available with new technology (examples: electric vehicle charging stations, cannabis grow facility scales, and compressed natural gas (CNG), etc.).

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

• Weights & Measures Compliance Specialist 1 (In-Training) -
  • Education may substitute for the required experience on a ratio of one year of college education equivalent to six months of experience.
• AND
• Associate’s degree or higher with major coursework in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering, electronics, criminal justice, business administration or allied fields.
• Weights & Measures Compliance Specialist 2 -
  • One (1) year of experience as a Weights & Measures Compliance Specialist 1.
  • And
  • Two (2) years of experience in inspection, maintenance, repair, installation, and/or design of weighing or measuring equipment or other precision instruments or in the enforcement of weights and measures laws.
  • Education may substitute for the required experience on a ratio of one year of college education being equivalent to six months of experience.
  • Associate’s degree or higher with major course work in mathematics, chemistry, physics, engineering, electronics, criminal justice, business administration or allied fields.

Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

Special Requirements

• Successful completion of National Conference on Weights and Measures professional exams appropriate to the inspections conducted by the program within one year of employment.
• Class B Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within one year of employment.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will make a candidate highly desirable:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience in the following: Mathematics, statistics, engineering, chemistry, physics, criminal justice, public administration or allied fields.
• Experience installing, repairing or calibrating weighing and measuring devices.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at [e-mail]. Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free [phone]. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.