This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.
The Ohio Departmenmt of Agriculture is currently seeking condidates for a Plant Health Inspector position in the Pesticides/Fertilizer Regulation section, headqurtered in Cuyahoga County. The duties for the Plant Health Inspector position include but are not limited to:
Independently conducts inspections of potential problems with manufacturing, use/misuse, storage or distributing of pesticides or fertilizers and determines compliance with United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) laws, regulations and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) and state rules, regulations and applicable laws and takes necessary action
Assists in updating and maintaining pesticide and fertilizer product and fertilizer registration data system
Receives written and verbal communication concerning pesticide and fertilizer registration data system
Works under general supervision and assists with Section 18 and 24 C pesticide registrations
Receives written and verbal communications from consumers regarding pesticide and fertilizer questions and/or complaints
Works with inspection supervisor and manager to assign complaints for investigation
Provides technical assistance to inspectors regarding pesticide and fertilizer licensing and registrations under Ohio pesticide and fertilizer laws
Conducts inspections of pesticide applicators, distributors and production facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal laws
Conducts fertilizer-related inspections for registration of fertilizer manufacturers, distributors and blenders of all agricultural, specialty and non-agricultural fertilizers
Inspects sales records to ensure legal sale of restricted-use pesticides
Inspects pesticide application records
Observes pesticide applicators while applying pesticides
Ensures proper licensing and product labeling of fertilizers and liming materials
Inspects anhydrous ammonia storage sites and application equipment
Performs marketplace inspections to ensure pesticide products are registered
Gathers facts and assembles for use as evidence in hearings and/or prosecution
Interviews and discusses licensure and compliance with establishments producing pesticides or pesticide-containing products
Prepares reports of findings
Monitors pesticide examinations of farmers and commercial
Verifies fertilizer tonnage reports
Issues orders as necessary (e.g., stop sales, withdraw from distribution) when fertilizer or pesticide products are out of compliance
Reviews product labels for compliance of applicable laws and regulations
Provides presentations of regulatory issues and related topics
Performs other related duties as assigned: conducts investigations of citizen complaints regarding damage from pesticide applications
Conducts routine sampling of various products (e.g., pesticides, fertilizers, limestone, hydrated lime, burnt lime and industrial by-products)
Submits samples to ODA Analytical Laboratory for analyses
Provides testimony in administrative, civil and criminal proceedings
Collects samples following chain of custody using USEPA protocol
Unless otherwise required by legislation or union contract, salary will be set at the lowest rate of the salary range. In most cases successful employees will move up a step in the salary range within six months, with subsequent step increases occurring every year with successful performance.
Completion of undergraduate core coursework in agricultural field (e.g., agronomy, biology, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, environmental science) AND 1 year experience in agricultural field commensurate with duties to be performed as described on the approved position description on file AND 3 months experience in operation of personal computer AND valid driver’s license
-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.
