AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR 2 - UNDERFILL - MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS WAIVED

***THIS RECRUITMENT MAY CLOSE WITHOUT FURTHER NOTICE DEPENDING ON THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED. APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE***

Job Summary

The Nevada Department of Agriculture (NDA), Division of Plant Health and Compliance, Entomology Program is seeking to fill two (2) Agricultural Inspector II Seasonal positions located in Sparks, NV. This recruitment will be used to underfill an Agriculture Inspector 3. Position incumbent receives training in the performance of field inspections and surveys for entomology under the direct supervision of the Agricultural Inspector IV and Entomologist. The position will be located and based in Sparks, NV. Incumbents will be required to travel to agricultural production and rangeland areas, across the state of Nevada. Main duties include placing and collecting traps, preparing and labeling specimens, and collection and recording of data electronically using handheld computers and phones. Use of pesticides to treat economic populations may be required. Incumbents may be assigned to assist in other related Plant Industry disease and field surveys as required.
Agricultural Inspectors perform sampling and inspection of agricultural products at shipping point inspection facilities and participate inpest controland noxious weed eradication; check and grade condition of fruits and vegetables and assist plant pathologists and entomologists in the preparation of samples for analysis.

Essential Qualifications

PER EXECUTIVE ORDER 2026-001, ALL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS HAVE BEEN WAIVED FOR THIS POSITION UNTIL JUNE 30, 2026. Please refer to the link for more information: https://gov.nv.gov/Newsroom/ExecOrders/Executive-Orders/
Graduation from high school or equivalent education and one year of experience in agricultural sciences or related sciences performing agricultural duties; OR one year of experience as an Agricultural Inspector I in Nevada State service; OR an equivalent combination or education and experience as described above.

Job Duties

Agricultural Inspectors perform sampling and inspection of agricultural products at shipping point inspection facilities and participate in pest control and noxious weed eradication; check and grade condition of fruits and vegetables and assist plant pathologists and entomologists in the preparation of samples for analysis.

Perform shipping point inspections; take potato sacks or cartons off the processing line; remove and weigh the largest potato in the sample; enter weight on note sheet; visually inspect remaining potatoes; record percentage by weight of defective potatoes; and issue or deny federal inspection certificate in accordance with United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) standards.

Participate in noxious weed control programs; supervise or prepare spray formulations according to label directions and weeds being treated; maintain spray equipment in proper operating condition; spray weed infestations in designated areas and complete daily report forms, in order to protect the State agricultural industry and comply with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Conduct USDA international flight arrival inspections at airports and military bases as required.

Inspect garlic seed samples, hay, poultry, shell eggs and other agricultural commodities for conformance to established standards and procedures.

Assist the Entomologist with relaxing, pinning, labeling and sorting field-collected insects; conduct insect surveys; mount and label plant specimens on herbarium paper; complete insect distribution maps, distribution and host cards; print insect labels; place insects in reference collection case units; prepare and affix labels containing scientific names to maintain and update insect and herbarium collections.

Assist the Plant Pathologist by collecting plant and soil samples, conducting laboratory preparation work, isolating plant pathogens from samples, extracting nematodes from soil and plant products, and entering survey and diagnostic data.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

This job specification lists the major knowledge, skills and abilities of the job and is not all inclusive. Incumbent(s) will be expected to have knowledge, skills and abilities from a previous level.

General knowledge of: agricultural produce; noxious weeds; pesticides and herbicides; insect specimen preservation and mounting techniques.

Ability to: follow established procedures; read maps; read and comprehend routine correspondence and policy manuals; inspect agricultural produce visually; candle eggs; write inspection reports and work summaries; read and interpret information on pesticide labels; operate and repair motorized spray equipment

Recruiter Contact Information: Sonja Grass - SonjaGrass@admin.nv.gov

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Please send direct Inquiries or correspondence to the recruiter listed on this announcement.

Benefits include:

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP) .
  
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
  
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
  
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
  
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) . Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication .
  
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program .
  
• No Nevada state income tax.
  
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
  
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of “standard” or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.
  

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU) .

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF) .

*** State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The following are legal holidays:

January 1.............................................. New Year's Day

Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday

Third Monday in February................ Washington’s Birthday

Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day

June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day

July 4.................................................... Independence Day

First Monday in September.............. Labor Day

Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day

November 11........................................ Veterans' Day

Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day

Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day

December 25........................................ Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255

Closing Date/Time: 3/30/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

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• STATE OF NEVADA

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