Deputy Agricultural Career Opportunity presso Kings County, CA

About the Department

Salary Depends on Qualifications and Certifications

 Deputy Agricultural Commissioner

 $37.23 – $45.43 Hourly; $77,438.40 - $94,494.40 Annually

 Deputy Sealer of Weights & Measures

 $37.23 - $45.43 Hourly; $77,438.40 - $94,494.40 Annually

Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer of Weights and Measures

 $43.23 - 52.73 Hourly; $89,918.40 - $109,678.40 Annually

• CalPERS Retirement (see benefits section to determine plan/tier placement). 
• Excellent PPO insurance including medical, dental, vision and chiropractic insurance coverage for the employee and their eligible dependents paid 100% by the County.
• Onsite health center for employees and eligible dependents on County health insurance. 
• $40,000 term life/accident insurance.
• Paid vacation and sick leave (see benefits tab for more details).
• An additional 80 hours of management leave each fiscal year (or pro-rated upon hire date) of which will not carry over and may be cashed out in full. 
• Access to the County's Employee Assistance Program.
• Access to Kings County's Assist-to-Own Down Payment Assistance Program.
• Deferred Compensation match up to $3,500 per year for every three dollars contributed. 
• Longevity pay beginning at 10 years of service. 

Position Duties

• Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of the Agricultural and Weights and Measures Department divisions, as assigned, including, but not limited to, pesticide regulation, investigation and environmental monitoring, integrated pest management, commodity regulation, pest prevention, plant regulation, weight verification, measurement verification and transaction and product verification.
• Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the assigned division(s); continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
• Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; determines funding needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
• Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
• Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with County specifications and service quality.
• Reviews work of employees in the field and may personally perform inspections or investigation in any of the assigned areas. 
• May act for the Agricultural Commissioner-Sealer in their absence and may represent the Commissioner-Sealer at meetings and conferences.
• Directs the serving of notices of violation of the California Food and Agriculture Code and/or the California Business and Professions Code.
• Directs the preparation of evidence for possible legal action.
• Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards.
• Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
• Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other County departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in agriculture and weights and measures; research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to County needs.
• Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval. 
• Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of working and official division files.
• Ensures staff compliance with County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.

Requirements are based on the California Department of Food and Agriculture. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, biological, chemical, or physical science with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in any of the following disciplines: agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics as accepted by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. 
• Candidates must meet the legal requirements of California Food and Agricultural Code 2123 and the Business and Professions Code 12203. Possession of the required licenses may be considered equivalent to the required semester units identified above.

• Equivalent to three (3) years of technical experience in the inspection and enforcement of agricultural and/or weights and measures, with at least six (6) months of experience equivalent to an Agricultural and Standards Inspector III in Kings County or an equivalent County.

• Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
•  Possession of a valid license of eligibility for County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture.
•  Possession of a valid license of eligibility for County Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures issued by the State of California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Other Qualifications