Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of W & M

Description

8/15/24 UPDATE ON RECRUITMENT. This position originally had a close date of 8/19/24, however it is now posted as continuous and may close at any time.

The posted salary reflects the 7% increase effective October 1, 2023. An additional 6% salary increase will occur in October 2024. Increased County contributions to medical will be in effect starting January 1, 2024.

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 Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer 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 on policy matters and the County Administrative Officer on administrative and budgetary matters. The Board of Supervisors evaluates the employee's performance.

CLASSIFICATIONS SUPERVISED: Directly supervises employees in the following classifications: Deputy Agricultural Commissioner; Agricultural Biologist Inspector I, II, III and Senior; Secretary I or II; Office Assistant I or II; and extra-help/seasonal employees in various classifications.

Example of Duties

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
Develops and directs the implementation of goals, objectives, policies, procedures and work standards for the department; plans, organizes, directs, and evaluates the 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; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving 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.

Develops and recommends operating budget annually; monitors and administers approved budget.

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, inspection 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 mosquito abatement activities with the assistance of the California Department of Public Health.

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. Causes violators of weights and measures laws to be prosecuted. When necessary carries out civil penalty actions for violations.

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 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.

Performs related duties as required.

Minimum Qualifications

TYPICAL QUALIFICATIONS- TRAINING & EXPERIENCE:
Any combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.

Licenses:
(Required at the time of appointment and continuously during employment).
Possession of County Agricultural Commissioner License issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Possession of County Sealer of Weights and Measures License issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Possession of a valid Class C California Driver's License.

Knowledge Of/Ability To

Knowledge of:

The duties and responsibilities of the County Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer's Office.
All 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.
All computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
Legislative processes and criminal, civil and administrative penalties.
Thorough knowledge of the principles of public administration, including organization, budgeting, general management, staff development and supervision.
Management practices involving the technical, legal, financial, and public relations involved in the operation of a county department.
Principles and practices of public-sector budgeting and financial management.
Methods and techniques of research and report presentation. Mosquito abatement procedures and practices.

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.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and make effective presentations.
Instill public confidence in quality and necessity of services.
Coordinate departmental activities with other departments and agencies
Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships.

Selection Process: All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.

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.

SAN BENITO COUNTY BENEFITS FOR MANAGEMENT EMPLOYEES
(This is meant to be an overview of benefits only. For full benefit terms and conditions, please see MOU)

Employees in regular, full-time positions will be eligible to participate in the following employee benefits:

Pay Day: Employees are paid bi-weekly.

Insurance Deductions: The insurance and benefits deductions will take place bi-monthly, normally the first two pay periods of the month. Bank/Credit union and 457 Retirement Deferrals deductions will take place bi-weekly.

Vacation: Based on continued years of service. Newly hired MEG employees may be eligible for higher vacation accrual rate for previous public sector experience (verification required). Maximum accruals may apply depending on the bargaining unit.

• 5 to 9 years of service = 15 days per year
• 10 to 14 years of service = 18 days per year
• 15 + years of service = 20 days per year

Administrative Leave: Management employees receive 80 hours of administrative leave per calendar year. Forty (40) unused hours can be paid out at the end of the calendar year. Administrative leave is pro-rated.

Holidays: 13.5 holidays (including 3 floating) for most employees. Safety officers and dispatchers receive approximately 5% holiday pay in addition to their base pay in lieu of paid holidays off.

Sick Leave: 15 days per year. Maximum accruals apply.

Medical Plan: Comprehensive CalPERS medical plans available for full-time employees. Employees appointed to a regular position at a time base of 50% or higher are eligible to participate.

Increase County contributions to medical effective January 2024.

a. Employee Only: $750.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum
b. Employee Plus One: $1,250.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum
c. Family: $1,515.00, which would include the PEMHCA Minimum

The County's contribution above shall be prorated for positions that are less than .90 FTE rounding to the nearest one-quarter time.

HRA: Employee Only Medical Plan: $1,500 maximum
Employee Plus One Medical Plan: $3,000 maximum.
Employee Plus Family Medical Plan: $4,000 maximum.

Employees who are eligible to receive a "cash in lieu of' enrollment in the County's medical plan shall receive a taxable payment of $150 monthly (pro-rated into biweekly installments of $69.23).

Dental Plan: County contributes $30 to Delta Dental plan for full-time employees and their families.

Vision Plan: The County pays for employee coverage and the employee can pay for dependent coverage. This benefit is available to full-time employees only.

Employee Assistance Program: The County provides confidential short-term counseling services to employees and dependents.

Life Insurance/AD&D: County pays for a $20,000 BASIC life insurance policy for each employee. Voluntary life insurance plans available.

Disability Insurance: Confidential and Management groups participate in the State Disability Insurance.

Credit Union: Membership to the Santa Clara Federal Credit Union is available to San Benito County employees.

Deferred Compensation: Employees may participate in tax-deferred retirement savings. Three 457 plans are available. Employees may rollover funds from prior 401k or 457 accounts. IRS limits apply.

Retirement: Regular employees will be enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system in accordance with the Public Employees' Retirement Law. Employee contributions vary according to bargaining unit.

All New Miscellaneous (non-Safety) employees enrolled into the CalPERS retirement system participate in the full formula of 2% at 62. Miscellaneous employees participate in Social Security in addition to CalPERS.

Supplemental Insurance: Employees may participate in various AFLAC plans such as accident, disability, and cancer insurances.

Flexible Spending Accounts: Health and Dependent Care available, pre-tax deductions.

01

I understand all County employees will be required to take an Oath of Office and will be called upon to act as Disaster Service Workers, when needed.

• Yes

02

Please be sure to answer the supplemental questions thoroughly and accurately. Applicants are responsible for clearly, completely, and accurately identifying their qualifications. Your responses to the questions must be supported by both the work experience listed on your application as well as your resume. The rating of the supplemental questions may determine your application status and/or rank on the eligible list. Answers such as "see resume" or "see above" will remove you from consideration. I have read and understand the statement above concerning submission of supplemental questionnaire responses.

• Yes
• No

03

Do you possess a County Agricultural Commissioner License issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture?

• Yes
• No

04

Do you possess a County Sealer of Weights and Measures License issued by the CDFA?

• Yes
• No

05

Do you possess one of the following degrees from an accredited college or university with major course work in agriculture sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, or a related field?

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None of the above

06

Do you have at least 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?

• Yes
• No

07

Please describe your experience overseeing multiple agricultural projects or programs. Explain how you prioritized your assignments and what steps you take to ensure that deadlines are met.

08

Please provide a general overview of your experience in certified agricultural inspection and enforcement work.

Required Question

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

• 

• County of San Benito

• (831) 636-4000

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