TDA - Region 1 - Inspector - Agriculture Pest (Internal Posting) (57346)

INSPECTOR – AGRICULTURE PEST

(Internal Posting – Open to Current TDA Employees Only – 5 Day Posting)

Salary Information: $4,150.00/MO. – B14

State Classification: Inspector II – 1322

FLSA Status: Nonexempt

Posting Number: 26-57346-2R

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in Work In Texas (WIT) will be required to complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section to be considered for the position.

WHO ARE WE

The Texas Department of Agriculture’s key objectives are to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. As a Structural Pest Control Inspector your responsibilities may include but are not limited:

• inspecting commercial legal for trade scales at businesses such as grocery stores, pawn shops, shipping companies and propane distribution locations, etc.;
• conduct random and standard package inspections to ensure correct measurement of packaged goods;
• inspecting nursery plants, trees and shrubs for disease and insects;
• inspecting and grade eggs in grocery and convenience stores;
• monitor compliance with the Handling and Marketing of Perishable Commodities Law;
• obtaining samples of agricultural and vegetable seeds and enforce seed laws and regulations;
• monitoring and enforce quarantines that may include the sweet potato weevil, fire ant, Japanese beetle, citrus greening, and spongy moth. etc.;
• inspecting nursery stock and agricultural commodities leaving the state and issue state and or federal phytosanitary certificates;
• inspecting agricultural crops for purity, insect, disease, fungus, etc. for seed certification;
• inspecting growers and/or organic handlers for organic certification;
• conducting price verification inspections to ensure correct pricing at point of sale utilizing products scanned barcode;
• inspect public grain warehouse businesses, including but not limited to measuring grain, auditing records and platting/charting warehouses and storage structures;
• conducting complaint-based, risk-based inspections for consumer protection programs, as required;
• conducting re-inspection on non-compliant entities or business establishments;
• issue stop-sales, notices of seizure, findings reports and rejection notices; and
• collecting and remit fees to include licensing and late fees.

WHAT YOU’LL DO

As a Inspector – Agriculture Pest, you will perform moderately complex regulatory inspection work for the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) to contribute to the enforcement of structural pest control and agricultural laws and regulations for consumer protection in the State of Texas. You will assist in completing case preparations and may testify at hearings on violations of agriculture or structural pest control laws and regulations. You will work under general supervision, with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

This is an entry-level position with increasing responsibilities as training progresses. Newly hired inspectors are required to complete trainings on different types of inspections which will assist them in learning regulations, operating procedures, and other job responsibilities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform entry level agricultural pesticide inspections on pesticide dealers and applicators and complete accurate and detailed reports to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

Respond to and investigate agricultural pesticide complaints involving allegations of noncompliance with the Agriculture Code and their respective rules and complete case investigation reports with data integrity and properly gather and document data and records of violations to include interviewing witnesses and collecting and submitting samples.

Audit sales records, issue Stop Sales, notice of seizures, rejection notices, and collect and remit licensing and late fees for violations.

Complete travel vouchers and mileage reports; complete various weekly and end-of-month reports.

Coordinate and ensure that the Regional Director and Regional Manager are kept informed of all issues related to the inspections.

Represent the agency in a positive manner when dealing with constituents.

Train on and become proficient in the use of Performing Inspections, Enforcement and Recruitment (PIER), Bringing Resource Integration and Data Together for Greater Efficiency (BRIDGE) and business intelligence reports.

Bachelor’s degree (One year of work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for one year of college).

Must reside in Lubbock, Lynn, Graza, or Crosby County.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Educational Substitution: A high school diploma and two years full-time work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for a degree.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

Knowledge of laws, codes, standards, and regulations related to the area of responsibility; of the principles and methods of field inspection and quality control; and of business practices in regulated occupations and industries.

Skill in conducting inspections; in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; in determining proper courses of action; in using instruments or tools necessary to perform inspections; in using a computer and applicable programs and databases, and in maintaining records and written reports.

Ability to prepare reports; to interpret laws and regulations; to gather and analyze data; to communicate effectively, orally and in writing; interact effectively with co-workers, supervisors and the public; to exercise sound judgment and discretion; and to maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS

Requires working outdoors and exposure to extremes in temperatures (including high-low temperature changes and variable climatic conditions such as rain, fog, dust, fumes, gases, and odors); extensive moving and remaining stationary; walking; standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; safely lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds; slippery and uneven walking surfaces operating heavy equipment/machinery; safely handling hazardous and/or flammable materials; exposure to live insects and animals; and exposure to dust. Requires wearing protective clothing and safety equipment, including a half-face respirator when necessary. Involves safely operating a TDA vehicle and driving for long distances; working extended hours and some evenings and weekends, as needed; and daily and overnight travel (up to 75%).

TELEWORK & WORK HOURS

The agency does not offer telework. TDA employees are required to be physically present for work.

The agency’s core business hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. TDA also provides limited customer service between 6:00-8:00 a.m. and 5:00-6:00 p.m.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS

The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section , you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and then selecting My Submissions. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section.

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  A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Background Checks: A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

**Foreign Credentials: upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423. Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Compliance, Inspection and Investigation MOS Codes.