Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer Of W & M

Description

DEFINITION

Under policy direction of the Board of Supervisors and general administrative direction of the County Administrative Officer, to plan, organize, administer, coordinate, review and evaluate all of the functions and staff of the Agriculture Department; to serve as the agricultural official and weights and measures official and pesticide official for the County in charge of regulatory and inspection programs that protect the environment, consumers, and the agricultural industry; to collect, maintain, and publish Annual Crop Report; to serve as spokesperson regarding complex agricultural matters; and to perform related duties as assigned

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Each California County is mandated by the State to appoint an Agricultural Commissioner and a Sealer of Weights and Measures to carry out certain functions as required by law. The County of San Benito has consolidated the offices of County Agricultural Commissioner and County Sealer of Weights and Measures into a single office. This department head position is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to a four (4) year term and is responsible for providing administrative leadership, technical oversight, and policy direction to the following State-mandated County services.

As County Agricultural Commissioner, the incumbent is charged with the protection of San Benito County agriculture, the protection of the environment as well as protection of the public's health and safety. These goals are accomplished through the management of agricultural programs designed to achieve our mission through a combination of public outreach, industry education and enforcement actions

As County Sealer of Weights and Measures, the incumbent inspects and tests packaged commodities and all commercially used devices. Transactions derived from the use of such devices are also inspected for accuracy. In addition to inspection activities, provides education and training to the public as well as the regulated industries

The position is expected to accomplish these functions with a maximum degree of independence within established policies and procedures set forth by the Board of Supervisors, County Administrative Officer, and federal, state, and County laws, ordinances, and regulations. Responsibilities include coordination with management staff of other County departments and governmental agencies, including the California Departments of Food and Agriculture, Pesticide Regulation, and Public Health, to manage and accomplish the diverse mandated activities of the office. The incumbent is accountable for accomplishing departmental long- and short-range planning and operational goals and objectives and for furthering County goals and objectives within general policy guidelines and budgetary limitations.

REPORTS TO

Board of Supervisors and County Administrative Officer

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED

Directly and indirectly supervises the Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of W&M, Supervising Agricultural Biologist Inspector, Agricultural Biologist Inspectors I/II/III, Senior Agricultural Biologist/Inspectors, Agricultural Technicians, Administrative Assistant I/II, and support staff.

Example of Duties

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

(The following is used as a partial description and is not restrictive as to duties required.)

Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates staff, functions, and organizational units of the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer.

Carries out supervisory responsibility in accordance with policies, procedures, and applicable laws, including interviewing, hiring, training, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraises performance; rewards and disciplines employees; addresses complaints and resolves problems.

Directs, supervises, and personally performs inspections and investigations in enforcing rules relating to the packing, shipping, and standardization of agricultural produce; supervises the inspections of nursery stock, feeds, and apiaries for evidence of diseased conditions and takes actions to control and eradicate disease where found.

Plan, organize, direct, and coordinate fiscal systems planning, control, audit, and accounting programs; develops and recommends operating budget annually; monitors and administers approved budget; designs, coordinates, and maintains cost accounting, general accounting, and billing systems, procedures, and practices assuring quality and technical accuracy of fiscal services.

Reviews and administers various state and federal contracts for each fiscal year.

Carries out the directions and assists the Secretary for the State Department of Food and Agriculture; serves as local administrator for pest prevention, the Organic Act and Farmer's Markets, inspections of nurseries, seed, fruits and vegetables, eggs, and control of invasive weeds.

Carries out the directions and assists the Director of the Department of Pesticide Regulations; serves as local administrator for pesticide enforcement and investigations; issues restricted materials permits.

Plans, implements, directs, and reviews the mosquito abatement programs and activities with the assistance of the California Department of Public Health; prepares reports for presentation to the governing board; evaluates program operations; coordinates with other public agencies on program activities.

Cooperates with federal agencies in the enforcement of federal rules and regulations.

Plans, organizes, and directs the Weights and Measures program to inspect weighing and measuring devices, package commodities, weigh master, and petroleum product quality under general supervision of the State Department of Food and Agriculture; ensures violators of weights and measures laws are prosecuted; carries out civil penalty actions for violations, as needed.

Oversees, builds, and manages the Cannabis Business Regulatory program; implements goals, strategies, policies, and programmatic framework for the issuing of licenses; evaluates the licensing of cannabis locations and issues, denies, or revokes permits based on guidelines; works with other departments and industry representatives across the County in developing and promoting a compliant environment for cannabis.

Maintains and upgrades professional knowledge, skills, and development by attending seminars and training programs and reading trade and professional journals and publications.

Consults with USDA, University Extension, and others to learn about new pests and new pest control methods.

Compiles and publishes annual the Crop Report with agricultural production and acreage, including an annual report to the Secretary of CDFA on pests, organic farming, IPM and biological control activities;

compiles information into a summary report for review by others.

Writes detailed or technical reports of all findings, conclusions, and recommendations based on a thorough analysis and interpretation of data for presentation to others.

Monitors current, newly adopted, and proposed legislation; suggests changes in legislation.

Attends and participates in the annual meeting of the California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association and a variety of meetings as required; attends meetings of the Mosquito and Vector Control Association of California, as needed.

Discusses pest and pest management solutions with growers, environmental groups, agencies, and other members of the public.

Conducts interviews with the media regarding agricultural topics.

Coordinates with other County Agricultural Commissioners, Sealers and managers of other mosquito abatement districts on a regional basis.

Prepares and submits reports to the Board of Supervisors on department activities.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS- TRAINING & EXPERIENCE:

Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in agriculture sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, or a related field. A Master's degree is desirable,

AND

Five years of increasingly responsible agricultural inspection and weights and measures testing and inspection experience, including two years of experience in a management and/or supervisory capacity.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Possession of, or the ability to obtain, an appropriate valid California Driver's License.

Possession of a County Agricultural Commissioner License issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture is required at the time of appointment.

Possession of County Sealer of Weights and Measures License issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture is required at the time of appointment.

All County employees can and will be called upon to act as Disaster Workers when needed.

In the event that an employee changes class, or if requirements are changed after initial appointment, employees may be required to submit to a background investigation.

Knowledge Of/Ability To

Knowledge of:

The duties and responsibilities of the County Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer's Office.

Applicable state, federal, county, and local ordinances, codes, laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to agricultural, commodities, weights, and measures inspections.

Farming methods.

Forms of pest management, including mechanical, cultural, chemical, biological, and integrated pest management.

Pesticide chemistry, toxicology, and modes of action.

Sciences of entomology, plant pathology, nematology, botany, biology, zoology, and ecology.

Legislative processes and criminal, civil, and administrative penalties.

Thorough principles of public administration, including organization, budgeting and financial management, general management, staff development, and supervision.

Management practices involving the technical, legal, financial, and public relations involved in the operation of a county department.

Methods and techniques of research and report presentation.

Mosquito abatement procedures and practices.

Modern office practices, methods, and computer equipment and applications related to the work, including word processing, database, and spreadsheet software.

Ability to:

Deal effectively with the general public and the media.

Deal with individuals and the public in stressful situations.

Speak effectively before public groups and respond to questions.

Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.

Interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.

Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.

Enforce the laws in a fair and impartial manner.

Identify many different plants, animals, insects, and diseases.

Plan, organize, assign, direct, review, and evaluate the work of a staff engaged in agricultural inspections and enforcement work.

Select and motivate staff and provide for their training and professional development.

Use tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines.

Organize work, set priorities, meet critical deadlines, and follow up assignments with a minimum of direction.

Research, compile, interpret, and summarize a variety of informational, technical, and statistical data and materials.

Make effective presentations.

Instill public confidence in quality and necessity of services.

Coordinate departmental activities with other departments and agencies.

Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.

Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.

Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

The contents of this class specifications shall not be construed to constitute an expressed or implied warranty or guarantee, nor shall it constitute a contract of employment. The County of San Benito assumes no responsibility beyond the general accuracy of the document, nor does it assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information contained herein.

The contents of this specification may be modified or revoked without notice. Terms and conditions of employment are determined through a "meet and confer" process and are subject to the Memorandum of Understanding currently in effect.

In accordance with California Government Code section 3100, et., seq., all County of San Benito employees are considered disaster service workers who may be required to report for duty, or remain on duty to address disaster service activities in the event of an emergency or disaster and are required to undertake an applicable loyalty oath.