Supervising Agricultural/Measurement Standards Specialist

The Position

The list developed from this recruitment will be used for a limited period to fill open and promotional, regular full-time, and part-time positions, should they occur.

Under general direction, plans, organizes coordinates, assigns, supervises, reviews and evaluates the work of staff engaged in making inspections to enforce the provisions of the California Food and Agricultural Code, Code of Regulations, Business and Professional Code, and County Ordinances pertaining to the office of the County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer of Weights and Measures. Inspects and enforces laws and regulations contained in the Food and Agricultural Code and Business and Professions Code; performs work related to the protection of agricultural, the environment and the public wellbeing. Performs work related to measurement standards; enforces consumer protection laws; investigates for the prosecution of violators. Performs other related work as required.

Supervisor Academy is mandatory for all supervisors and consists of nine courses that must be completed within two years. Participation is required and completed during work hours.

Job Requirements and Minimum Qualifications

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:

• Carries out supervisory responsibilities over professional inspection staff in accordance with policies, procedures, and applicable laws, including: training; planning, scheduling, assigning, and directing work; appraising employee performance; making recommendations for rewarding and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems. Participates in the interviewing and hiring of assigned staff.
• Trains employees in agricultural inspection techniques, standards and procedures.
• Interprets, clarifies, explains and enforces agricultural laws and regulations, including controversial issues, to subordinates as well as to growers, shippers, the public and others in local agricultural community; ensures work is performed in accordance with laws and regulations.
• Assists management in the evaluation of programs to assess strengths, weaknesses, and areas needing improvement; monitors inspection and enforcement procedures and practices to assure effectiveness and conformity with established legal requirements, job standards, and safety measures. Identifies and resolves operational, public relations and personnel issues.
• Compiles information, statistics and data for the preparation and writing of progress reports on inspection activities, special reports, crop values and costs of performing various tasks and services.
• Reviews required reports before they are released to appropriate agencies or persons.
• Inspects plant, fruit and cut flower parcels at parcel terminals for quarantine compliance.
• Inspects agricultural pesticide applications including mix/load activities.
• Inspects pest control businesses for pesticide application including mix/load activities.
• Registers pest control advisors, pest control businesses, maintenance gardeners, structural pest control businesses, and farm labor contractors.
• Investigates pesticide drift complaints and pesticide illness cases.
• Writes detailed investigative reports.
• Answers general agricultural and consumer questions for the public.
• Identifies plants and insects brought in by the public and/or sends to state lab for identification.
• Issues pesticide permits to growers.
• Surveys county roads for noxious weeds; applies pesticides to noxious weed sites in the county; hand pulls and/or digs noxious weeds.
• Surveys lakes and bodies of water for noxious water weed(s).
• Issues new CPCs yearly; updates, prints new forms and receives payments.
• Registers Certified Farmer's Markets and receives payments.
• Conducts testing and sealing of weighing and measuring devices.
• Conducts testing and sealing of fuel pumps; inspects fuel station labeling, quantity control and price verification.
• Conducts shelled egg, fruit, and vegetable inspections.
• Conducts grower education classes for pesticide use.
• Registers organic growers for state registration.
• Inspects nurseries for County compliance; issues nursery licenses.
• Issues phytosanitary certificates.
• Inspects organic producers for compliance with regulations.
• Maintains records of inspections.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED

Graduation from an accredited four year college or university with a bachelor's degree in a major that meets the minimum qualifications established by the California Secretary of Agriculture. ( Must meet eligibility requirements for examination/license pursuant to California Department of Food and Agricultural (CDFA) Code Division 2 Chapter 2 Sections 2102 and 2106. U 2106. U (excerpted) No person shall be eligible for the examination or shall be given or issued a license pursuant to Section 2101, 2102, or 2103 unless they possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in the agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines, as determined by the secretary. This section shall not apply to any person holding a valid license of qualification in weights and measures who was employed by a county agricultural commissioner or sealer in a permanent classification before January 1, 1995, and who possesses at least one license in an agricultural category no later than December 31, 1996.)

Education and Experience:

Requires degree as stated above; three (3) years of experience equivalent to the duties performed by Agricultural Measurement Standard Specialist III; and the following licenses issued by CDFA: Pesticide Regulation, Investigation and Environmental Monitoring, Integrated Pest Management, Commodity Regulation, Measurement Verification, Pest Prevention and Plant Regulations, Weight Verification, Transaction and Product Verification; License to issue Federal Phytosanitary Certificates.

Licenses and Certifications:

Valid driver's license (depending upon assignment may require Class B driver’s license)

Valid licenses as listed above, issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture

County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner License is highly desired.

County Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures License is highly desired

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Supervisory principles and practices, including work planning, direction, review, evaluation, employee training, and discipline.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles and techniques for working with groups and fostering effective team interaction to ensure teamwork is conducted smoothly.
• All applicable state, county, federal and local ordinances, laws, rules, and regulations.
• Record keeping, report preparation, filing methods, and records management techniques.
• Modern equipment and communication tools used for business functions and program, project, and task coordination.
• Principles and practices of effective business communication.
• Structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Computers and software programs (e.g., Microsoft software packages) to conduct, compile, and/or generate documentation. Computer applications and hardware related to performance of the essential functions of the job.
• General office procedures, policies and practices, as well as basic knowledge of computers, related equipment and general office equipment.
• Standard business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Insects, plants, and weeds.
• Pesticides and their uses.
• Agricultural crops grown within the county.

Skill in:

• Planning, assigning, supervising, reviewing and evaluating the work of staff.
• Applying principles of management, leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Applying advanced interpersonal skills to provide effective leadership to subordinate personnel and to develop cooperative working relationships with employees, senior management, elected officials, and outside agencies.
• Exercising initiative, ingenuity and sound independent judgment when making decisions within general policy guidelines.
• Demonstrating tact, patience, and possess an understanding of the problems of citizens and staff. Responding to stressful and sensitive situations in a calm, professional and confidential manner.
• Preparing and presenting concise and well-organized written and oral reports of a technical nature, communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Researching, compiling, and summarizing a variety of informational and statistical data and materials.
• Organizing work, setting priorities, meeting critical deadlines, and following up on assignments with a minimum of direction.
• Applying logical thinking to solve problems or accomplish tasks, understand, interpret, and communicate complicated policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Public relations and customer services protocols and techniques

Mental and Physical Abilities:

• Read, analyze, and interpret professional periodicals and journals, technical procedures, and government regulations.
• Speak effectively before individuals and public groups and respond to questions.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, other departments and agencies, boards and commissions, public officials, community groups and others contacted in the course of work.
• Provide effective leadership in the development of new or improved procedures, rules, regulations and policies.
• Work under pressure, establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Deal tactfully, convincingly and effectively with departmental personnel, government officials, representatives of special interest groups and the public.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Interpret a variety of technical instructions with abstract and/or concrete variables.
• While performing the essential functions of this job, the incumbent is frequently required to sit, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, speak and hear, and lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.

Selection Procedure & Other Important Information

Important Application Information:

• It is your responsibility to demonstrate through your application materials how you meet the minimum qualifications of the position/s for which you apply.
• You must complete all sections of the application. A résumé or other information you feel will help us evaluate your qualifications may be attached to your completed application, but will not be accepted in lieu of completing any part of the application. Blank applications that contain only a résumé or those that reference “see résumé” will be rejected as incomplete.
• Check your application before submitting to ensure it is complete and correct; no new or additional information will be accepted after the closing date.
• Inquiry will be made of your former and current employers; please provide the names and telephone numbers of supervisors on your application.
• You must provide the names and contact information of at least three (3) references (not relatives) that have knowledge of your job skills, experience, ability and/or character.
• Application materials are the property of Mendocino County and will not be returned.
• It is your responsibility to keep your NEOGOV profile updated, including any changes to your telephone number or address. Failure to do so may result in missed notification of exams or interviews.
• The exam process listed on this flyer is tentative. Mendocino County reserves the right to make necessary modifications to the examination plan. Such revisions will be in accordance with approved personnel standards. Should a change be made, applicants will be notified.
• The provisions of this job bulletin do not constitute an expressed or implied contract.

Examination Process: All complete applications will be reviewed; incomplete applications will not be considered. Based on the number of qualified candidates, applicants meeting the job requirements and qualifications will be invited to participate in an oral examination (weight 100) or an unassembled exam, consisting of an evaluation of education and experience as stated on the application form. The examination process will test the knowledge and abilities described above. A minimum score of 70 must be attained for placement on the employment list.

Special Testing: The County of Mendocino is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and California’s Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), if special accommodations for a disability or religious conviction are necessary at any stage of the application and/or testing process, please notify the Human Resources Department in advance at (707) 234-6600. Reasonable notice is required to allow adequate time for review and evaluation of your request.

Special Requirements: Employment in some County departments or positions may require the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background, which may include fingerprinting, and/or a medical examination, which may include drug screening.

This announcement is a synopsis of duties and requirements of this job. To review the complete classification specification and benefits, please see the HR website. Applications must be submitted to the Human Resources Department by the final filing date.

The County of Mendocino participates in the E-Verify program to confirm employment eligibility. If hired, the information you provide on your Form I-9 will be used to verify your authorization to work in the United States.

Learn more:

• E-Verify Notice of Participation (Download PDF reader)
• Right to Work (Download PDF reader)

The County of Mendocino is an Equal Opportunity Employer

This information is a summary of general benefits. Benefits listed in Mendocino County Resolutions or Memorandums of Understanding prevail over this listing. This information is not legally binding, nor does it constitute a Contract.

SALARY
Compensation is based on a five-step salary range, with annual merit-based increases within the salary range.

RETIREMENT
Covered under Social Security and the 1937 act; both employees and the County pay into the retirement fund. For the most current information regarding County Retirement please go to:
https://www.mendocinocounty.org/retirement

HOLIDAYS AND PERSONAL LEAVE
Mendocino County observes 11 paid holidays per year. Employees are granted 24 - 48 hours of personal leave annually, depending upon Bargaining Unit.

VACATION
Accrues at the rate of two weeks per year for three years. Three weeks per year after three years, four weeks after eight years and five weeks after 15 years.

SICK LEAVE
Paid sick leave accrues at the rate of 1.25 days per month, or 15 days per year. Accruals are pro-rated for part-time employees working at least 20 hours per week. Part-time employees working less than 20 hours per week, and extra-help employees receive up to 24 hours (or 3 days) of paid sick leave annually.

MEDICAL, DENTAL, VISION, AND LIFE INSURANCE
The County and the employee share the cost of an employee selected health care plan; enrollment in the plan includes $20,000 Life Insurance.

HEALTH INSURANCE
For the most current information regarding Health Insurance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/ehb

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Assistance please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/eap

EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
For the most current information regarding Employee Wellness please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/mcwow

LABOR CONTRACTS
For the complete list of most current labor agreements please go to:
http://www.mendocinocounty.org/hr/labor

Closing Date/Time: 12/7/2025 11:59 PM Pacific

Please mention you found this employment opportunity on the CareersInGovernment.com job board.

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• County of Mendocino

• 707-234-6600

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