Pesticide Registration Customer Service Lead (Css3)

Apply Early! This recruitment will remain open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled the week of May 15th!

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities - from ensuring food safety to environmental protection - touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

We are hiring for One (1) Full-Time Permanent Pesticide Registration Customer Service Lead to join our team!

The Agricultural Environmental Services Division protects the agricultural viability, human and environmental health, and natural resources of the people of the State of Washington. The work in this division is statewide and is split between regulatory programs and technical assistance in pesticides, dairy nutrient management, cannabis/hemp, and fertilizers, and environmental services focused on science policy, equity and environmental justice, aquaculture and rural policy, commodity commissions, soil health, water quality and quantity, pesticide stewardship and education, and land use. This division consists of seven programs: Pesticide Compliance, Dairy Nutrient Management, Pesticide Registration, Licensing and Certification, Natural Resources and Agricultural Sciences, Technical Services and Education, Environmental Services, and Cannabis. Offices are located in Olympia, Yakima, Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Bellingham and Spokane.

The Pesticide Registration Customer Service Lead is the first point of contact for pesticide registrants and serves as the secondary contact for fertilizer registrants, providing professional level expertise in compliance with state and federal statues, rules and division policies. This position takes the lead role in understanding, resolving, and keeping current on program fiscal processing issues, and recording paperwork with payroll. This position independently acts as a liaison between registrants, staff, and regulatory agencies on pesticide registration issues and complex fertilizer registration issues.

Position and Salary Information

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Pesticide Registration Customer Service Lead position within the Agricultural Environmental Services Division . This position is located in Olympia, Washington. This is a non-represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $39,528 Step A - $51,384 Step L annually.

Some of what you do include:

• Maintain a basic understanding of the laws and rules of the program, requirements, and procedures to effectively answer questions.

• Monitor Pesticide and Fertilizer registration email boxes.

• Respond to customer requests and answer any questions.

• Answer phones and return messages, routing more complex inquiries to correct staff.

• Conduct Initial review of Fertilizer and Pesticide Registrations, Section 3's, Section 18's 25B;s for completeness and accuracy.

• Work with registrants to complete application status for pesticide and fertilizer registrations.

• Review chemist reports for accuracy related to fertilizer registration application, requesting the correct reports if needed.

• Enter and maintain information into the pesticide and fertilizer databases.

• Scanning and filing of documents including confidential files into electronic format.

• Properly handles confidential business information. 

Required Qualifications:

Associate degree OR  1-2 years of experience providing assistance to clients/customers regarding inquiries, complaint or problems.

Preferred / Desired Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively.

• Apply critical thinking; actively analyzing and evaluating information.

• Ability to multi-task in a high-paced work environment.

• Advanced knowledge in working with Microsoft Office products, Adobe Pro and SharePoint.

• Ability to execute accurate data entry.

• Proficiency using computers and databases.

• Excellent customer service skills.

• Proficiency using telephones, printers, and scanners.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.

• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation; click here for more information.

• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.

• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

• Commute Trip Reduction Program.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Current resume detailing experience and education

• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

• Three professional references

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.

Prior to a new appointment in the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.