Plant Health Inspector

Competitive salary: $52,936 - $69,950 Annually

Agriculture is the heart of it all in Ohio!

The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects all Ohioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving our natural resources and supporting farmers. ODA is cabinet-level agency reporting to Governor DeWine. Food and agriculture is Ohio's number one industry, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. Ohio is home to more than 75,000 farms, with agriculture touching every part of the state. Not only does Ohio rank number one in Swiss cheese production, but we are top three in the nation's egg production and fifth in soybean production. Ohio's farmers impact those well beyond state lines, feeding families across the nation.

ODA's beautiful campus is located in Reynoldsburg on 158-acres. Not only is parking free, but food trucks frequent the campus for coffee and lunch.

You'll find great coworkers here, who are experts in their field and care about the work they do.

What We Do:

Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculture means strengthening our state with the help of our 19 divisions programs. Our staff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. We protect Ohio's farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all while keeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are home to the state's top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewide lab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you pay for through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio's 94 county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, and protects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

As a member of team ODA, you will be working with people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a difference for all Ohioans.

What You'll Do:

No ag background, no problem! You'll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is currently seeking candidates for a Plant Health Inspector position in the Plant Health Division, Pesticides/Fertilizer Regulation section, headquartered in Carroll, Columbiana, Harrison, Holmes, Jefferson, Medina, Stark, Tuscarawas, or Wayne County. This position is responsible for:

• Independently conducting inspections of potential problems with manufacturing, use/misuse, storage or distribution 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 registration data system

• Receives written and verbal communication concerning pesticide and fertilizer product registrations

• Works under general supervision and assists with Section 18 and 24C 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 applicators: 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

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.

We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of DEI principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are: respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

What's in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.

Time Away from Work and Work/Life Balance

Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave

11 paid holidays per year

Childbirth/Adoption leave

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee's salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Maternity Benefits

• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.

• Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:

o Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.

o Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).

o Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.

o Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.

o Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.

• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.

• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free Workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis).

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.

Job Skills: Plant Health