Program Compliance Specialist

DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

Supporting farming, ranching and agribusiness in Arizona by protecting plants and animals, issuing agriculture and environmental licenses, inspecting farming practices and overseeing commerce standards and measurement devices.

Job Location:

Address: Pest Management Division / Compliance

1110 W. Washington Street, Ste. 450, Phoenix AZ 85007

Posting Details:

Salary: 22.00 -25.00

Grade: 18

Closing Date: July 10, 2024

Job Summary:

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for a Program Compliance Specialist for the Pest Management Division.

The Pest Management Division licenses, educates and regulates the pest management industry. The Agency is guided by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations and state statutes and rules.

Under the direction of the Associate Director, this position is responsible for State Inspections of commercial businesses, and persons applying pesticides in a structural setting. The focus of the position will be to investigate complaints of unlicensed pest control applicators or businesses. Must fluently speak, read and write English and Spanish.

Other duties as assigned and required to drive a state vehicle.

Job Duties:

Duties to include but not limited to:

● Investigate unlicensed pest control applicators and/or businesses applying pesticides.

● Performs compliance inspections of individuals and businesses to ensure compliance with State statutes and Administrative codes.

● Performs field investigations of alleged violations of the State statute and Administrative Codes, interviews complainants and others.

● Writes complete and accurate reports including the collection of evidence; describes the finding of inspections and investigations, which may be used in court proceedings.

● Provide training and education to enable individuals to understand and be in compliance with pesticide laws. Public speaking and training in Spanish and English at least once a month. Conduct outreach to underserved communities.

● Carry out case referral investigations from the EPA relating to potential violations. Writes up complete and accurate inspection reports including case documentation and forms, submitting the report and supporting documentation to the EPA for consideration of the inspected party compliance with EPA.

● Responsible for the collection of samples for laboratory testing; checking structures to determine pest infections and/or damage; reading and analyzing test reports', detecting violations, inspecting/investigating alleged violations of the Pest Management Division (PMD) Statutes and Administrative Codes; testifies as required; and may assist in training of new employees.

● Indirectly engaged in setting enforcement standards by exercising discretion and independent judgment in making decisions on compliance, noticing violated activities in the field and setting abatement time requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:

● Knowledge of Federal and State laws pertaining to applying pesticides in a structural setting.

● Basic knowledge of occupational, environmental, public health and safety concerns including regulations and statutes pursuant to the ARS and other regulatory authority jurisdictions.

● Knowledge of the basic toxicological effects of pesticides on human and animal health as well as the workers using the chemicals, including interpretation of labels.

● Knowledgeable about the equipment (including personal protective equipment), procedures and techniques used in monitoring and collecting samples, which may contain toxic materials.

● Knowledge of the requirements for pesticide use, permits, licenses and certifications, sales and equipment, record keeping and reporting.

Skills in:

● Investigation techniques and methods to obtain and evaluate evidence which can be used in court proceedings in civil, administrative or criminal jurisdictions.

● Procedures and techniques used in monitoring and collecting samples.

● Verbal and written communication. Independently identifying problems and developing effective resolutions, training techniques.

● Intermediate to advance skill with Microsoft Word and PowerPoint.

● Bilingual (must speak, read and write English and Spanish)

Ability to:

● Ability to multitask, working on several tasks/programs with interruptions and outside distractions.

● Ability to use and understand different methods of accounting and inventory control in order to conduct thorough books and records inspections and to report the results.

● Ability to be diplomatic in stressful situations.

● Ability to work independently.

Selective Preference(s):

Candidates should preferably have at minimum, forty-five semester units (67.5) quarter units of college-level curricula in agriculture or pest management and 24 months of technical experience in a similar field. Experience may substitute for education.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must obtain certification in Right of Way, Turf and Ornamental, and Industrial and Institutional within 6 months of employment.

Valid Drivers' License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver's License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

Sick leave

Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year

Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).

Health and dental insurance

Retirement plan

Life insurance and long-term disability insurance

Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Mandatory condition of Employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.27%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at mmeek@azda.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.