Plant Health Inspector (Agriculture)
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.
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The Ohio Departmenmt of Agriculture is currently seeking condidates for a Plant Health Inspector position in the Pesticides/Fertilizer Regulation section, headqurtered in Fayette County. The duties for the Plant Health Inspector position include but are not limited to:
- Independently conducts inspections of potential problems with manufacturing, use/misuse, storage or distributing 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 product and fertilizer registration data system
- Receives written and verbal communication concerning pesticide and fertilizer registration data system
- Works under general supervision and assists with Section 18 and 24 C 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
- 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
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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.
