Supplemental Information
Job number: AES-51584.9.15.23-BE The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and State as a Model Employer (SAME) to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.
The position #51584 is located in the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences – Pesticide Division, in New Orleans, Louisiana, in Jefferson Parish.
Applicants that process experience greater than the minimum qualifications may be considered for a salary higher than the minimum hiring rate utilizing Louisiana Civil Service Rule 6.5g.
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
*Resumes
WILL NOT
be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
All applicants selected for employment must submit to drug screening.
If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you have a need a special accommodation for a disability.
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Brittany Evans
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
bevans@ldaf.state.la.us
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.
Qualifications
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
A baccalaureate degree with at least twenty-four semester hours in agriculture, animal science, biology, botany, chemistry, entomology, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology, zoology, forestry, or any combination of credit in these courses to equal twenty-four semester hours.
SUBSTITUTION:
Experience in inspecting or enforcing for compliance with agricultural laws, rules or regulations will substitute for the specialized coursework on the basis of 12 semester hours for one year of experience.
Experience in planning or implementing soil, water or wetland conservation practices in agricultural or wetland environments will substitute for the specialized coursework on the basis of 12 semester hours for one year of experience.
NOTE: Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.
Job Concepts
Function of Work: To perform inspections and investigations relative to laws governing entomology, horticulture, agronomy, pesticide, structural pest control, seed, fertilizer, and quarantine programs. OR To assess the environmental impact of agricultural operations on soil, water, air, and other related natural resources and develop and direct management plans designed to protect these resources. Level of Work: Entry. Supervision Received: General from an Agricultural Environmental Specialist of a higher grade. Supervision Exercised: None. Location of Work: Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences or Office of Soil and Water Conservation. Job Distinctions: Differs from Agricultural Environmental Specialist 2 by lack of responsibility for journeyman level work.
Examples of Work
This position performs complex and advanced level duties for Office of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry and entails responsibility and professional agricultural inspection and enforcement work in a variety of technically specialized and professional regulatory programs, including but not limited to fertilizer, horticulture, liming, pesticides, quarantine, seed and structural pest control. This position requires the ability to work more independently which differentiates it from the Agricultural Environmental Specialist land 2 positions and requires the ability to handle complex investigations. This position may assist a supervisor and/or manager in administrative functions and has lead-worker responsibilities over Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1 and 2 positions in the assigned AES District. This position serves as a mentor to Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1 and 2 positions and is highly involved in every aspect of training those positions. General supervision for this position is received from the Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager or Agricultural Environmental Specialist Supervisor. 75% – Field Work/Inspections With a high level of independence and technical skills based on years of experience and training, performs more complex and difficult inspections or investigations related to the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences services that may be initiated from routine reports, knowledge of local activities, or from tips, complaints or referrals. Evaluates and compiles data and other facts related to inspections within the above described functional areas into comprehensive technical reports through the use of established regulatory criteria, policies, and procedures. The goal is to prepare reports that can be defended in administrative proceedings or beyond when applicable. This data may also be formally presented by the incumbent in meetings or conferences with program managers, including unclassified directors, assistant directors, and the assistant commissioner, and for training seminars conducted for less experienced inspectors. Ensure consumer products meet applicable quality standards through routine sampling in all of the functional areas such as: disease/insect/weed free; quality seed germination; products meet amounts declared on labels; quality plant installation and maintenance; pesticide treatments that provide protection of human health, homes and crops; quality agricultural lime; assists in preventing introduction of noxious weeds, insects and diseases; etc. Issues stop orders on applicable goods, products or activities not registered or substandard. Conducts field inspections on various crops, bulk bin seed sampling, records inspection and seed processor facility inspections for seed certification. Has advanced knowledge of various crops and varieties thereof related to the Seed Certification Program. Conducts inspections and/or investigations related to pesticide producers, distributors, dealers or aerial or ground pesticide applicators ensuring they are complying with licensing/certification, record keeping, and use laws, rules and regulations. Through experience gained related to pesticide off-target drift and knowledge of potential damage effects caused by specific pesticides via visual inspection and sampling, independently investigates pesticide damage complaints by observing aerial views and interviewing persons as to improper operations of pesticide applications. Inspects structures treated and pretreated by local pest companies to ensure termite treatment meets minimum standards set by pest control laws. Has advanced experience in the structural pest control program to understand the rules and regulations related to minimum standards and be able to discuss with pest control operators. Conducts complex inspections and/or investigations related to horticulture, quarantine and/or nursery work. Collects routine official regulatory samples of seed, fertilizer and agricultural lime from manufacturers, dealers, and farmers, as well as investigative samples due to complaints or as follow up to a previous sample collection. Uses various electronic devices that assist in inspection/investigation documentation and keeps current with available technology by participating in training provided or by independent study. May serve on new technology pilot program to obtain and present feedback to management on the implementation of new technology for field inspections and investigations. 25% Administrative Serves as lead-worker over Agricultural Environmental Specialists 1 and 2 and trains persons in these positions utilizing technical knowledge of regulatory programs and investigative techniques. May assist the supervisor and/or manager in handling administrative functions for this unit, including but not limited to gathering EPA numbers from work reports, reviewing and compiling inspection reports. Independently and accurately responds to inquiries from regulated industries and the public. Incumbent is required to operate and maintain a state vehicle in performance of duties and may be required to make inspections of rice fields on horseback. Statewide travel may be required. Other duties as may be assigned. Functional Requirements:
Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
Reaching above shoulders
Climbing stairs and occasionally ladders
Sit over a long period of time at work station or in a vehicle for travel
Drive a vehicle to perform inspections and investigations
Requires considerable walking over irregular ground and standing for long periods of time
Lifting items such as tools, computer, scanner, luggage or other items used to travel and perform duties/attend class throughout the state
Environmental Factors:
Occasional excessive heat and humidity
May be required to wear appropriate safety protection
Working indoors and outdoors
Working around routine neighborhood residential hazards
Occasionally working in moderately cold temperatures for short periods of time
Exposed to grain dust, bad odors from farm animals, chemicals, fertilizers and other agricultural materials