Agriculture Field Inspector I or II

Job Posting Title

Agriculture Field Inspector I or II

Agency

040 DEPT OF AGRICULTURE FOOD & FORESTRY

Supervisory Organization

Agriculture, Food & Forestry Agriculture Building

Job Posting End Date (Continuous if Blank)

June 01, 2024

Note : Applications will be accepted until 11 : 59 PM on the day prior to the posting end date above.

Estimated Appointment End Date (Continuous if Blank)

Full / Part-Time

Full time

Job Type

Regular

Compensation

up to $24.51 hourly

Job Description

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry (ODAFF) is seeking a full time Agricultural Environmental Management Services (AEMS) Field Inspector Level 1 or Level 2 in the AEMS Division.

This position (PIN 04000471) is in state government. This position will require frequent travel. The State of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive , including a generous benefit allowance to offset the cost of insurance premiums for employees and their eligible dependents.

The hourly pay for this position is up to $24.51 based on education and experience.

Position Description : This position will be responsible for planning, conducting, and coordinating inspections related to Agricultural Environmental Management Service (AEMS) Division programs which include Pet Breeders & Shelters, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFO), Licensed Managed Feeding Operations (LMFO), Poultry Feeding Operations (PFO), Poultry Waste Applicators (PWA), Composting Facilities, and the Agricultural Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (AgPDES).

These operations ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and to provide protection for consumers and others within the industry.

Responsibilities include performing onsite inspections and investigations associated with complaints, discharges, catastrophic death loss, and routine inspections with these programs.

Typical Functions :

Conducts inspections, investigations, samplings, and surveys of pet breeder and animal shelters, agricultural services, operations, products, facilities, and related activities of owners, operators, producers, and distributors of agricultural products to ensure compliance with agricultural laws.

Audits records of licensed facilities and waste applicators.

Provides technical assistance and consultative services to ensure compliance with federal and state laws, rules, and regulations related to the AEMS programs and educate the licensee and other individuals within the industry.

Ensures biosecurity practices during inspections and investigations.

Collects samples of water, soil, and animal samples for analysis to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.

Prepares inspection, complaint, and enforcement documentation.

Presents cases of apparent violations and serves as expert witness in formal hearings and courts of law regarding agricultural regulatory requirements.

Researches, develops, and assists in the implementation of long-term planning for efficient use of the state’s air and water resources;

assists in the development of waste reduction practices through recycling and pollution prevention programs; ensures waste disposal practices protect land resources for present and future use.

Level Description :

Level I This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities involving beginning level work in a training status to build their skills in conducting investigations, performing basic professional analysis and interpreting state and federal laws, rules and regulations concerning agricultural products and services.

In this role they will be involved in the evaluation of inspection and survey data, preparing technical records and reports, and assisting in making recommendations concerning remedial action to correct environmental or water problems.

Level II - This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned duties and responsibilities at the full performance level for performing a full range of tasks involving investigation, analysis, and interpretation of state and federal laws.

In this role, employees will evaluate inspection and survey data, prepare technical reports and records, and make recommendations concerning remedial actions to correct agricultural environmental, water, and other problems.

Some responsibility may be assigned for providing limited guidance and training to entry-level employees performing environmental program duties.

Education and Experience :

• Level I - consist of a bachelor’s degree in an agricultural, biological, plant, animal, physical or natural science, or a closely related field;
• or an equivalent combination of education and experience;

Level II - consist of those identified in Level I plus one additional year of qualifying inspection experience or administrative or managerial experience in an agricultural related field.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities :

• Level I - required at this level include knowledge of procedures for inspecting and evaluating agricultural commodities;
• of state and EPA regulations governing environmental standards; of materials and equipment used in the applicable agricultural industry;

of various types of animal and plant diseases; of record keeping; of basic mathematics including percentages; and of English usage.

• Ability is required to conduct inspections related to agricultural products, services, and facilities to determine compliance with established standards, laws and regulations;
• to follow complex oral and written instructions; to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

to attend to several matters simultaneously; to operate and maintain monitoring and detection equipment; and to apply research methodologies.

Level II - required at this level include knowledge identified in Level I plus the ability is also required to read and interpret plans and specifications of proposed facilities and to perform a full range of inspections and investigations within the assigned area of specialization.

• Ability to use Microsoft products with a high level of competency. Ability is required to apply research methodologies; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;
• to interpret applicable state and federal laws; to write technical reports; to read and interpret plans, maps, and specifications of proposed facilities;

and to collect and analyze data.

Physical Demands and Work Environment : Must have the physical ability to perform tasks including but not limited to : move physically in difficult terrain where motorized vehicles are unable to access, bend or stoop down, stand for long periods of time, lift up to fifty (50) pounds, and endure long days in various types of weather including extreme heat, rain, snow, and extreme cold.

Applicants must possess and maintain a valid Oklahoma Driver’s license and be willing and able to fulfill all job-related travel normally associated with the position.

Special Requirements :

This position is subject to a twelve-month probationary period.

The Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. 427.8.

Equal Opportunity Employment

The State of Oklahoma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of genetic information, race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, or disability.

Current active State of Oklahoma employees must apply for open positions internally through the Workday .