PLANT INSPECTOR 2* - 03262024- 56421

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY SERVICES DIVISION, WARREN COUNTY

Qualifications

Summary

Responsibilities

1. Interprets rules, regulations, compliance agreements, policies and procedures to stakeholders to facilitate understanding, enhance communication and ensure safe movement of regulated articles.

1. Makes recommendations to stakeholders to help them resolve adverse inspection findings and become compliant (e.g., issuing stop-movement orders on infested material and requirements given to have the stop movement released).
2. Determines the appropriate regulatory action to take based on the inspection findings as determined by rules and regulations (e.g., recertify, withhold certification, civil penalty violation, out of business, stop-movement).
3. Reviews phytosanitary applications using PeXD and import permit requirements to determine eligibility and inspecting plant products for export.
4. Inspects plant material and witnesses treatment if required to determine if qualifications are met to finalize a phytosanitary certificate.
5. Screens pest, pest plant or plant disease samples for further identification by specialist.

1. Review requirements of compliance agreements with stakeholders to determine if all requirements are being met.
2. Compares inspection data to State laws and regulations to determine compliance and appropriate action to be taken.

1. Analyzes data for movement of plant material based on destination (e.g., pest distribution status, Federal and State requirements).

1. Educates stakeholders such as growers, groups and affected industries about current and impending plant regulations regarding movement of regulated articles and possible mitigations.
2. Educates stakeholders such as growers, groups and affected industries about current and impending plant disease, insects and pest plants and their location.
3. Consults with and advises clients about problems found with plants or plant products.
4. Consults and advises exporters of international or domestic shipments of plant products about phytosanitary requirements.

1. Conducts visual inspections of plants to determine freedom from injurious pests and diseases.
2. Inspects equipment and structures (e.g., greenhouses, butterfly houses, potting sheds, soil labs, sprayers) for compliance with State and federal plant regulations.

1. Explains how certification fees and late fees are assessed to help the client understand State policies.
2. Discusses how violations impact the industry and how compliance can be achieved.
3. Hears complaints from public and industries about illegal operators, improper use of chemicals, etc. referring the complaint/complainant to appropriate entity.
4. Writes a report of findings when a certified producer or dealer perceives sub-standard plant material has been received so the producer/dealer can notify the seller in an attempt to rectify situation.
5. Issues an Officer's Statement to supervisor when illegal practices are found through complaints or disputes leading to possible Notice of Violations.

1. Installs and maintains traps for collection of exotic pests - including setting poles in ground, operating pruning saws, using telescoping poles to set traps in trees, constructing and installing water baiting stations at the edge of streams or ponds.
2. Moves nursery stock in order to conduct inspections.
3. Collects and preserves samples from surveys to determine if further action must be taken.

1. Acts as Lead Inspector when other Inspectors are assisting on large inspections, surveys and special projects.
2. Oversees the work of seasonal employees within their assigned work area.

1. Mentors new Inspectors and seasonal employees with regulations, Edison, inspection and survey techniques, and investigations in how to most effectively and efficiently perform their assigned tasks.
2. Assists and trains co-workers in areas of lesser experience and knowledge to better carry out assigned tasks.

1. Looks for invoices of dealers' plant material to identify approved source.
2. Check for certification to verify compliance with State and Federal regulations.
3. Gathers information about establishments such as number and location of growing fields, type of plant material grown for the purpose of determining compliance with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.
4. Collects exhibits such as photographs and insects to document specific conditions.

1. Enters time and labor or expense information electronically to document weekly schedule and work related travel.
2. Searches information data bases to extract data (e.g., for phytosanitary requirements, pest and disease information, other state requirements for movement of plants).
3. Enters pest detection data and survey details in information and data tracker systems.
4. Uses word processing and spreadsheet programs for a variety of report preparations.

1. Organizes and prioritizes activities to be completed on a daily and weekly schedule.
2. Incorporates last minute and unscheduled tasks into current workload to ensure timely, efficient and accurate completion of work.

1. Prepares and delivers instructional and informative presentations on industry related topics such as updates, regulations, new treatments, etc.
2. Provides outreach information in the form of handouts to the public and industry personnel at fairs, trade shows, etc. on topics such as potential threats, introduction of invasive pests.
3. Responds to questions concerning plant related issues and routes other agricultural issues to appropriate entity.

1. Maintains accreditation as an Authorized Certifying Official recognized by USDA APHIS PPQ (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine) by completing training and testing every 3 years.
2. Maintains Pesticide Applicator Category 10 (demonstration and research) by accruing points through continuing education.
3. Attends mandatory in-house meetings to be updated on recent changes to State and Federal regulations as well as new insects, pests and diseases.
4. Continuously maintains inspection manual by adding updated information such as memos, trade publications, and technical journals provided by supervisor and/or administration.

1. Walks for an extended period of time while conducting inspections and surveys.
2. Bends, stoops, squats, etc. to inspect plant material in field and greenhouses and to conduct surveys.

1. Sends supervisor a written summary report of activities completed the previous week, daily time logs and labor distribution time sheets (LDT).
2. Reports stop-sale to supervisor and follows up with written report.
3. Reports any unusual activity such as new pests or diseases to be identified, traffic or personal accidents, etc.
4. Communicates with peers at monthly or bi-monthly meetings on issues such as emerging pests that have been recently found.

1. Operates passenger vehicle to travel to various locations.
2. May operate all-terrain vehicles to access inspection site.

1. Attends and participates in industry meetings to establish and foster constructive working relationships.
2. Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with USDA, US/TDA Forest Service, UT/TSU Extension and Research, etc. by working together to accomplish a unified effort in order to reduce costs and reduce pest movement.
3. Works with HIS (Horticultural Inspectors Society) to harmonize inspection procedures, share knowledge and facilitate cooperation among states.

1. Cooperates with and assists other Inspectors on large inspections, surveys and special projects.
2. Provides and/or asks for input on areas of lesser experience and knowledge in group settings.

1. Completes daily time log of activities by inputting actions such as time, travel, program variable and activity codes, mileage, etc.
2. Compiles information from daily time log for accounting purposes - Labor Distribution Time Sheet.
3. Maintains account of monthly mileage to be submitted to appropriate location for processing.
4. Prepares Chain of Custody forms for sample submissions.

1. Operates a digital camera to submit photos for pest and disease identification, investigative purposes, findings of inspection, etc.
2. Operates copy machines, scanners, fax machines, cell phones, GPS.

1. Maintains hard copy files of inspection reports, compliance agreements, sod permits, daily logs, etc.

Competencies

1. Dealing with Ambiguity
2. Problem Solving
3. Priority Setting
4. Timely Decision making
5. Conflict Management
6. Action Oriented
7. Approachability
8. Composure
9. Integrity and Trust
10. Listening

1. Biology
2. Chemistry
3. Law and Government
4. Mathematics
5. Production and Processing
6. Sales and Marketing
7. Transportation

1. Active Learning
2. Active Listening
3. Critical Thinking
4. Learning Strategies
5. Mathematics
6. Reading Comprehension
7. Science
8. Speaking
9. Writing
10. Coordination
11. Instruction
12. Negotiation
13. Persuasion
14. Service Orientation
15. Social Perceptiveness
16. Complex Problem Solving
17. Time Management

1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Inductive Reasoning
3. Oral Comprehension
4. Oral Expression
5. Problem Sensitivity
6. Written Comprehension
7. Written Expression
8. Extent Flexibility
9. Stamina
10. Static Strength
11. Depth Perception
12. Near Vision
13. Speech Clarity
14. Speech Recognition

Tools & Equipment

1. Personal Computer
2. GPS Unit
3. Copy Machine
4. Fax Machine
5. Camera

TN Driver Standards

State of Tennessee positions that may involve driving responsibilities require candidates to meet the following minimum driver qualifications:

• A valid driver's license
• For the past five years, the candidate's driver record must not have record of the following violations: driving under the influence (DUI), reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, more than 4 moving violations.

Please include your Driver's License Information under the Licenses and Certifications section of your application.

**Agencies may allow an exception based on other factors.

Compensation

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