Agricultural and Standards Investigator I-IV (Finance)
ABOUT THE POSITION
The County of Riverside's Agricultural Commissioner's Office is currently seeking to fill multiple Agricultural & Standards Investigator I-IV positions in Riverside. Agricultural & Standards Investigators perform work in the enforcement of agricultural and/or weights and measures laws, regulations, and policies for consumer and agricultural industry protection. Investigators work outdoors and are exposed to various weather conditions, as well as drive to locations throughout Riverside County to conduct inspections and investigations.
These positions require the ability to work independently and in a team environment, strong customer service skills, and the dedication to strictly follow policies and procedures while enforcing State laws, regulations, and County ordinances. Applicants must be willing to work outdoors and be exposed to all types of weather conditions.
Candidates must upload a copy of your official/unofficial transcripts or license(s) issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) at time of application.
Applicants who have passed the State License exam but have not yet received their license, should upload documentation that indicates you have passed the exam. Applicants who are within three months of graduating with their bachelor's degree in a related field may apply but will need to provide transcripts.
Assignments for these positions will be based on the department's needs. Incumbents become eligible for promotion to the next higher level, up to and including the Agricultural & Standards Investigator IV, upon receipt of the required State Licenses, as specified in the Recruiting Guidelines at each level.
Meet the Team!
The Riverside County Agricultural Commissioner's Office is entrusted with the mission of promoting and protecting the agricultural industry of the County and its environment, ensuring the health and safety of the County's citizens, and fostering confidence and equity in the marketplace through education and the fair and uniform enforcement of laws, regulation, and ordinances enacted by the people of the State of California and the County of Riverside.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Agricultural & Standards Investigator I
• Attend training sessions to receive instruction in agricultural and weights and measures laws and regulations, including methods and techniques, routine biosecurity policies, and pest detection methods and techniques involving plant materials.
All levels
• Conduct periodic inspections and complaint investigations involving agricultural properties and businesses, mobile home parks, food markets, gas stations, and other various commercial business establishments for compliance with the California Food and Agriculture Code and/or the Business and Professions Code and/or the California Code of Regulations.
• Take appropriate enforcement action such as quarantine, embargo, and condemnation of pesticide contaminated food products or pest infested/infected plant materials.
• Participate as part of the County Hazardous Materials 24-hour Emergency Team; assist during pesticide clean-up operations as a pesticide expert and active coordinator between Hazmat, law enforcement agencies, environmental specialists, and Risk Management departments.
• Inspect, test, and seal various commercial weighing and measuring devices; investigate complaints of improper weights, measures, or counts and take appropriate enforcement action.
• Collect pesticide samples of plant or animal products for laboratory analysis and interpret laboratory findings, and prepare required reports.
• Inspect plant material coming into the County for compliance with federal and state quarantines for detrimental insects, diseases, noxious weeds, and weed seeds.
• Maintain accurate records of work performed; gather evidence of violations and non-compliance with agricultural and/or weights and measures laws and regulations, and County ordinances.
• Enforce agricultural and structural pesticide laws and regulations.
• Enforce state laws concerning packaging of commodities and other phases of weights, measures, or counts; issue warnings and citations, and condemn defective apparatus or improperly represented commodities or packages.
• Assist in preparing court cases by completing inspection reports, attending office hearings, and conferring with city or county district attorneys and County Counsel.
• Testify in court or office hearings, as the investigating authority.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or as a Weights and Measures Inspector
Agriculture: Pesticide Regulation; Investigation & Environmental Monitoring; Integrated Pest Management Monitoring; Commodity Regulation; Pest Prevention & Plant Regulation.
Weights & Measures: Weight Verification; Measurement Verification; Transaction & Product Verification.
Candidates must possess the education to test for all eight licenses.
List of Appropriate Disciplines
Agricultural & Standards Investigator I
$26.73 - $33.07 Hourly
$4,633.48 - $5,732.91 Monthly
$55,601.73 - $68,794.96 Annually
OPTION I
Licenses: Possession of one or more of the valid Statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or as a Weights and Measures Inspector.
OPTION II
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in agricultural, biological, chemical, or physical sciences, or other appropriate disciplines as determined by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
Agricultural & Standards Investigator II
$29.71 - $39.57 Hourly
$5,149.20 - $6,859.48 Monthly
$61,790.35 - $82,313.71 Annually
Licenses: Possession of two of the valid Statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or as a Weights and Measures Inspector.
Agricultural & Standards Investigator III
$32.99 - $43.65 Hourly
$5,718.56 - $7,565.86 Monthly
$68,622.74 - $90,790.34 Annually
Licenses: Possession of five of the valid Statewide specific category licenses as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist or as a Weights and Measures Inspector.
Agricultural & Standards Investigator IV
$36.68 - $46.34 Hourly
$6,358.28 - $8,032.94 Monthly
$76,299.39 - $96,395.31 Annually
Licenses: Possession of the eight valid Statewide specific category licenses listed below as a County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist and as a Weights and Measures Inspector.
All levels
Knowledge of: The principles of biological and physical sciences used in the fields of agriculture and/or weights and measures.
Ability to: Learn agricultural and weights and measures laws and regulations, investigation, and enforcement principles and procedures; establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, various governmental agencies, and other staff members; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; communicate clearly both orally and in writing; prepare clear and concise reports; use a personal computer.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Other Requirements
License: Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License. The Agricultural & Standards Investigator will drive to locations throughout Riverside County
Physical Requirements:Ability to stand, climb stairs and ladders, and walk on uneven, wet, or slippery ground and/or floors; upper body strength to reach and move items from high or low shelves; manual dexterity to hand-write and use personal computers; corrected vision to read standard text, labels, color change indication test papers, monitoring equipment display screens, and computer screens; walk or stand for extended periods of time with no rest; walk over rough terrain; work at heights higher than ten feet; bend or stoop repeatedly or continually over time; use stomach and lower back to support the body when lifting. Transport heavy items, such as weight standards cases.
Environmental Requirements:Will be required to work in an office and all types of field environments; be exposed to inclement weather conditions; may come in contact with materials/wastes, including odors and fumes from various industrial and agricultural processes, cleaning solvents, chlorine, and insecticides; ability to tolerate very hot and cold temperatures.
This recruitment is open to all applicants.
Contact Karla Medrano at kmedrano@rivco.org with any questions regarding this recruitment.
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APPLICATION INFORMATION
Veteran's Preference
The County has a Veterans Preference Policy applicable to new hires. To qualify, upload a copy of your (or your spouse's) Member-4 Form DD-214 indicating dates of service, and a copy of your spouse's letter of disability (if applicable) with your application. For privacy reasons, it is recommended that you remove your social security information from the document(s). A Human Resources Representative will review the materials and determine if you qualify for veterans' preference.The Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 is available here: https://rivcocob.org/board-policies
Reasonable Accommodations
The County of Riverside is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter for the position noted above. For additional information and/or to obtain the appropriate form for requesting a reasonable accommodation, please visit the Disability Access Office web page located at: https://rc-hr.com/disability
Proof of Education
If using education to qualify or when requested by the recruiter, upload a copy of any license(s), official/unofficial transcript(s), degrees, and/or related employment documents to your NeoGov account at the time of application and before the closing date. Official or unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
If your education was completed outside of the United States, you will need to provide a copy of your Foreign Education Equivalency evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services ( NACES ) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. ( AICE ).
Equal Opportunity Employer
The County of Riverside is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the County of Riverside to provide equal employment opportunities for all qualified persons. All applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, or denial of medical and family care leave, or any other non-job-related factors.
Pre-Employment
All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements including a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment). A pre-employment physical examination and background check may be required.
Probationary Period
As an Approved Local Merit System, all County of Riverside employees, except those serving "At Will," are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.
General Information
Current County of Riverside and/or current employees of the hiring department may receive priority consideration. Qualified candidates may be considered for future County vacancies.
Job postings may close without notice based on application volume. Submit your complete application by the recruitment close date; no late applications are accepted. Ensure all relevant experience/education is reflected on your application/resume, as a failure to demonstrate position requirements may disqualify applicants. A description of job duties directly copied from the job classification or job posting will not be considered.
Please read and follow any special application instructions on this posting. Click the 'Apply' link located on this page to submit your application. For additional instructions on the application process, examinations, Veteran's preference, pre-employment accommodation or other employment questions, please refer to our web site, www.rc-hr.com .
If you are experiencing technical problems, you may contact the governmentjobs.com applicant support desk Monday through Friday, 6 am to 5 pm Pacific Time at support@governmentjobs.com or toll-free 1-855-524-5627.
MEDICAL/DENTAL/VISION INSURANCE: A choice of different medical, dental and visions plan are available to elect. The County provides a Flexible Benefit Credit contribution as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding to contribute towards the cost of these plans.
Note: Employees on assignment through the Temporary Assignment Program (TAP) receive different benefits. See the list here .
MISCELLANEOUS RETIREMENT: County of Riverside has three retirement Tiers through the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS).
- Tier I (Classic Member - Formula 3% @ 60): Applicable to current and former County of Riverside local miscellaneous employees hired prior to 08/24/2012 and did not withdraw CalPERS contributions. The employee contribution is eight (8%) percent.
- Tier II (Classic Member - Formula 2% @ 60): Applicable to local miscellaneous employees 1) hired after 08/23/2012 through 12/31/2012; 2) Previously employed with another CalPERS contracting public agency or a reciprocal retirement system, with a break in service of less than six months between the separation date with the previous employer and the appointment date with the County of Riverside. The employee contribution is seven (7%) percent.
- Tier III (PEPRA New Member - Formula 2% @ 62): Applicable to CalPERS local miscellaneous new members hired on or after the implementation of the Public Employees' Pension Reform Act of 2013 (PEPRA) which took effect January 1, 2013. Effective July 1, 2023 employee contributions are 7.25% and will increase to 7.75% effective July 1, 2024.
A new member is defined as any of the following:
CalPERS refers to all members that do not fit within the definition of a new member as "classic members".
Contribution rates are subject to change based on the County of Riverside annual actuarial valuation.
Note:
This summary is for general information purposes only. Additional questions regarding retirement formulas can be sent to retirement@rivco.org or by calling the Benefits Information Line at (951) 955-4981,
Option 2.
If you have prior service credit with another CalPERS agency or within agencies, please contact CalPERS at (888) 225-7377 to determine which retirement tier would be applicable to you. CalPERS is governed by the Public Employees' Retirement Law. The Retirement Law is complex and subject to change. If there's any conflict between this summary and the law, the law will prevail over this summary.
DEFERRED COMPENSATION: Voluntary employee contribution with a choice between two 457 deferred compensation plan options.
VACATION ACCRUAL (Bi-Weekly Accrual):
0< 3 year = 80 Hours (10 Days)
4< 9 years = 120 Hours (15 Days)
10 or more years = 160 Hours (20 Days)
Maximum Vacation leave accumulation is 480 hours.
SICK LEAVE: Four (4) hours Sick Leave accrual per pay period with unlimited accrual.
HOLIDAYS: Normally 12 paid holidays per year.
BEREAVEMENT LEAVE: Allowed 5 days (3 days are County paid; 2 additional days can be taken from accrued Sick Leave balance).
BASIC LIFE INSURANCE: Equal to one times annual base salary not to exceed $50,000 of term life coverage. Premiums are paid by the County. Additional Supplemental Life plan is available for employee purchase.
DISABILITY: Short-term Disability benefit pays up to a maximum of $461.54 weekly, payable up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
POST RETIREMENT MEDICAL CONTRIBUTION: A monthly contribution is made by the County towards retiree health insurance offered through the County as governed by the applicable SEIU Memorandum of Understanding.
OTHER: There may be other benefit provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding. Please contact the recruiter listed on the job posting directly for more information.
