PESTICIDES INSPECTOR 3 - 04282026-77176

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, SHELBY COUNTY

This position is with Pesticides in Shelby County.

Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in a biological, chemical, agricultural science, or related to field including, but not limited to Entomology, Plant Pathology, Forestry, Horticulture and Plant Science and experience equivalent to three years of full-time work in one or a combination of the following: (1) the enforcement of environmental pollution laws or regulations, which may include pesticides inspection; feed, seed, and fertilizer inspection; or insect control; (2) the application, manufacture, or sales of commercial pesticides; (3) the inspection or development of laws or regulations for the distribution of agricultural/horticultural plants; (4) professional research or post-secondary education in the agricultural or biological sciences; or (5) the management or supervision of a farm or farming operation primarily engaged in the cultivation of vegetables, fruit, or other horticultural crops.

Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional graduate coursework in a biological, chemical, or agricultural science may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year (e.g., an additional 36 graduate quarter hours in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required experience).

Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time experience in one or a combination of the following areas may substitute for the required education, on a year for year basis, to a maximum of four years: (1) the enforcement of environmental pollution laws or regulations, which may include pesticides inspection; feed, seed, and fertilizer inspection; or insect control; (2) the application, manufacture, or sales of commercial pesticides; (3) the inspection or development of laws or regulations for the distribution of agricultural/horticultural plants; (4) professional research or post-secondary education in the agricultural or biological sciences; or (5) the management or supervision of a farm or farming operation primarily engaged in the cultivation of vegetables, fruit, or other horticultural crops (e.g., experience equivalent to one year of full-time work in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required education).

OR

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree and experience equivalent to four years of full-time work in one or a combination of the following: (1) the enforcement of environmental pollution laws or regulations, which may include pesticides inspection; feed, seed, and fertilizer inspection; or insect control; (2) the application, manufacture, or sales of commercial pesticides; (3) the inspection or development of laws or regulations for the distribution of agricultural/horticultural plants; (4) professional research or post-secondary education in the agricultural or biological sciences; or (5) the management or supervision of a farm or farming operation primarily engaged in the cultivation of vegetables, fruit, or other horticultural crops.

Necessary Special Qualifications: A valid vehicle operator's license may be required for employment in some positions.

Examination Method: Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Overview

Under general supervision, performs supervisory investigation, inspection, and enforcement work or pesticide program work of average difficulty involving the enforcement of State and Federal pesticides laws and regulations; State and Federal feed, seed, fertilizer, and agricultural lime laws and regulations; and pest control laws and regulations; and performs related work as required.

An employee in this class may either supervise pest control inspection activities within an assigned geographical area or manages one or more statewide pesticide specialty programs. This class differs from that of Pesticides Inspector 2* in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the working level. This class reports to and differs from that of Agriculture Program Director (Pesticides Administrator) in that the incumbent of the latter plans, administers, and coordinates the statewide enforcement of all pesticide, feed, seed, fertilizer, agricultural lime, and pest control laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

1. Supervises and participates in the inspection and enforcement of pesticide, feed, seed, fertilizer, agricultural lime, and pest control laws and regulations by assigning, training, supervising, and evaluating staff and their work; makes recommendations as to employment, retention, promotion, demotion, and other personnel actions; may develop and implement standards to field offices concerning Federal and State regulations; provides administrative support for legal action to affect compliance of established standards.

2. Supervises and participates in the inspection of homes, commercial buildings, and farms, forests, and greenhouses which have been treated by pest control companies.

3. Supervises and participates in the inspection of establishments and obtaining of samples where pesticides are produced, stored, sold, or used; supervises and participates in the investigation of complaints of misuse of pesticides, of illegal sale of pesticides, and of substandard pest control services; investigates product related complaints regarding feed, seed, fertilizer, or agricultural lime.

4. May review, approve, and register all pesticides for sale and use in the State; consults with State and Federal agents and chemists to assure pesticides have been tested adequately and are safe for use.

5. Supervises and participates in the enforcement of laws and regulations through the issuance of warnings, stop work orders, stop sale orders, and the seeking of warrants to prosecute violators; checks licenses, registrations, and charters to ensure company or product is chartered properly.
6. Supervises and participates in the preparation and maintenance of inspection reports, work activity reports, expense reports, and related record keeping.

7. Supervises and participates in public relations work with pest control company owners and operators, pesticides industry personnel, environmental protection agency officials, and general public.

8. May serve as a statewide technical program specialist by providing consultative or technical services to industry, municipalities, counties, individuals, or groups in the necessity and methodology of enhancing pesticide health standards, policies, and safety.

9. May provide central office technical and managerial support in pesticide specialty program areas such as pesticide registration, pesticide certification, worker protection, endangered species or groundwater.

10. May be responsible for grant negotiations and development for a statewide pesticide related program.

Competencies (KSA's)

1. Manages Complexity
2. Tech Savvy
3. Plans and Aligns
4. Communicates Effectively
5. Interpersonal Savvy

1. Building and Construction
2. Clerical
3. Customer and Personal Service
4. Design
5. Food Production

1. Active Learning and Listening
2. Critical Thinking
3. Mathematics
4. Reading Comprehension
5. Speaking

1. Deductive Reasoning
2. Inductive Reasoning
3. Problem Sensitivity
4. Selective Attention
5. Spatial Orientation

Tools & Equipment

1. Office Equipment
2. Respirator
3. Measuring Devices
4. Sampling Equipment - bags, bottles, etc.

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.