Plant Protection Inspector #00135

Title: Plant Protection Inspector #00135

State Role Title: Agricultural Specialist IV

Hiring Range: $44,192 - $65,000

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services seeks a qualified individual to perform plant protection inspection and export certification activities for the Office of Plant Industry Services (OPIS). The selected individual must reside, or be willing to relocate, in or within a reasonable distance of the assigned territory which includes the counties of Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach and the independent city of Portsmouth. Duties include inspecting nursery stock at grower and retail establishments; inspecting honeybee colonies; surveying for invasive plant pests threatening Virginia; inspecting and certifying plants and plant-related products for export; providing presentations to industry on OPIS activities; and conducting other plant protection surveys and treatments for pests such as spotted lanternfly, fire ant, spongy moth, box tree moth, noxious weeds and other invasive plant pests of regulatory significance. The selected individual will establish and work from a home office and will be required to live in, or convenient to, the assigned territory and will report to the Virginia Beach Regional Office as needed. The home office must have reliable access to a network for mobile communications. A state vehicle will be provided for business use only and must remain parked within the assigned territory. The use of a personal vehicle may be required if a state vehicle is not available. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of entomology, plant pathology, apiculture, horticulture, environmental ecology, general agricultural practices, plant protection-related pest control, and plant protection laws. Knowledge of plant pest protection activities utilized to safeguard agricultural and natural resources. Excellent customer service and oral/written communication skills. Proficiency using personal computers and other electronic equipment. Proven ability to plan, organize, and execute work with minimal supervision, exercise sound judgment and decision-making, and communicate effectively with a diverse population in carrying out regulatory procedures. The selected applicant must have (or be eligible for) and maintain a valid driver’s license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. Must possess or be able to obtain a VA Pesticide Applicator’s License in Category 9-Regulatory Pest Control (within approx. 9 months of hire) and must possess or be able to obtain a USDA Authorized Certifying Official (ACO) accreditation (within approx. 18 months of hire). Position is physically demanding & involves prolonged driving, walking, bending, stooping & routine lifting of up to 50 lbs, as well as exposures to bee stings, pesticides, fertilizers, plant allergens & other agricultural related chemicals as well as working in all types of weather conditions. H.S. diploma/GED required.

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge of entomology, horticulture, plant pathology, forestry, environmental ecology or related agricultural science. Demonstrated experience with general horticulture and environmental practices, plant and pest identification and controls, regulatory pest control & beekeeping. Experience interpreting, applying and explaining laws, governmental policies, and regulatory procedures.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact [email protected]. Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check. If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 804-786-1566

Email: [email protected]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.