Agricultural Environmental Specialist Supervisor

Job number: AES-51415-3.22.24-KGB

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and State as a Model Employer (SAME) to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.   
 
This position #51415 is located in the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Science, Pesticide Division, in Alexandria, LA. 

 
*Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.*
 

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.

All applicants selected for employment must submit to drug screening.
 
If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you have a need a special accommodation for a disability.
 
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Kimberly Buckley
HR Supervisor 
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
kbuckley@ldaf.state.la.us

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor.  LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.        

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: 

A baccalaureate degree with at least twenty-four semester hours in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, or environmental science, an engineering field, or any combination, plus three years of professional level experience in agronomy, entomology, horticulture, structural pest control, pesticide inspection or enforcement, plant pathology, chemistry, wetland resource management, cropland management work, forest management, conservation work, or inspection or enforcement for compliance with agricultural, environmental, food safety, or public health laws, rules or regulations. 

SUBSTITUTION: 

Experience in inspecting or enforcing for compliance with agricultural laws, rules or regulations will substitute for the specialized coursework on the basis of 12 semester hours for one year of experience.  

Experience in planning or implementing soil, water or wetland conservation practices in agricultural or wetland environments will substitute for the specialized coursework on the basis of 12 semester hours for one year of experience.

A master's degree in qualifying fields will substitute for one year of the required experience.

NOTE: Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university.Function of Work:
To perform regional supervisory inspection and investigative work related to industry compliance of laws and regulations governing agronomics and quarantine, pesticide, and environmental programs.

OR

To supervise assessment and management of environmental impact of agricultural operations on soil, water, air, and other related natural resources in an assigned region.

Level of Work:
Supervisor.

Supervision Received:
General from an Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager.

Supervision Exercised:
Functional over Agricultural and Forestry, Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences or Office of Soil and Water Conservation in an assigned geographical area.

Location of Work:
Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences or Office of Soil and Water Conservation in an assigned geographical area.

Job Distinctions:
Differs from Agricultural Environmental Specialist 3 by the presence of direct line supervision.

Differs from Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager by lack of supervisory responsibility over all activities in an assigned geographical area.This position is in the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (AES) with the Department of Agriculture & Forestry. AES consists of four divisions/major program areas: Pesticide and Environmental Programs; Seed Programs; Agricultural Chemistry Programs; and Horticulture and Quarantine Programs. Incumbent of this position is responsible for supervising the regional inspections and special investigations in AES. Supervision for this position is received from the Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager.

80%
Responsible for supervising the inspections to ensure compliance with, and investigations relative to violations of, the various statutes and regulations that are under the responsibility of AES. Ensures that related industry operations are in compliance with state laws and rules and regulations as well as relevant federal laws and regulations. Also, responsible for supervision of special investigations for AES. Supervises and coordinates district programmatic activities with the Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager. Supervises and approves issuance of stop-sale orders on substandard products, including seed, fertilizers, and other agricultural chemicals and products offered for sale. Responsible for inspections of proper labeling of products, including fertilizers, seed and pesticides offered for sale in Louisiana. Makes and/or supervises inspections for proper licensing at such locations as nurseries, nursery stock dealers, seed, and fertilizer dealers, cut flower dealers, retail florist, arborist, and landscaping services.

20%
Serve as the Department's liaison with other local, state and/or federal agencies which may be involved in investigations. Establish inspection schedule and workload priorities as related to special investigations. Collect and collate all information obtained during investigations. Perform any necessary technical research, and prepares final investigation report. Perform any other duties related to the performance and resolution of special investigations.

Other duties as may be assigned.

Functional Requirements:
Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
Reaching above shoulders
Climbing stairs and occasionally ladders
Sit over a long period of time at work station or in a vehicle for travel
Drive a vehicle to perform inspections and investigations
Requires considerable walking over irregular ground and standing for long periods of time
Lifting items such as tools, computer, scanner, luggage or other items used to travel and perform duties/attend class throughout the state

Environmental Factors:
Occasional excessive heat and humidity
May be required to wear appropriate safety protection
Working indoors and outdoors
Working around routine neighborhood residential hazards
Occasionally working in moderately cold temperatures for short periods of time
Exposed to grain dust, bad odors from farm animals, chemicals,