PLANT INSPECTOR 2* - 11102022-39777

Job Information

LOCATION OF (1) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, CONSUMER AND INDUSTRY SERVICES DIVISION, MADISON COUNTY

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, or other related plant sciences field and experience equivalent to two years of full-time work in one or a combination of the following: (1) the development or enforcement of regulations which deal with the production or distribution of horticultural/agricultural plants or the application of commercial pesticides, or (2) the production and distribution, or scientific study of horticultural plants.

Substitution of Experience for Education: Qualifying full-time professional experience in (1) the development or enforcement of regulations which deal with the production or distribution of horticultural/agricultural plants or the application of commercial pesticides, or (2) the production and distribution, or scientific study of horticultural plants may be substituted for the required education, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of four years (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).

Substitution of Education for Experience: Additional graduate course work in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology and/or other related plant sciences field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year-for-year basis, to a maximum of one year (e.g., 45 quarter hours with at least nine quarter hours in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required experience).

Other Requirements

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.

Job Overview

Summary: Under general supervision, is responsible for professional inspection and enforcement work of average difficulty involving wholesalers and retailers subject to horticultural laws and regulations; and performs related work as required.

Distinguishing Features: This is the working level class in the Plant Inspection sub-series. An employee in this class inspects and certifies wholesale and retail nursery and greenhouse stock. This class differs from that of Plant Inspector 1, in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from Plant Inspector 3 in that an incumbent of the latter functions as a regional supervisor.

,An employee appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to this class after successful completion of a mandatory two-year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

Work Activities

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others:

• Interprets rules, regulations, compliance agreements, policies and procedures to stakeholders to facilitate understanding, enhance communication and ensure safe movement of regulated articles.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems:

• 
  Makes recommendations to stakeholders to help them resolve adverse inspection findings and become compliant (e.g., issuing stop-movement orders on infested material and requirements given to have the stop movement released).
• Determines the appropriate regulatory action to take based on the inspection findings as determined by rules and regulations (e.g., recertify, withhold certification, civil penalty violation, out of business, stop-movement).
• Reviews phytosanitary applications using PeXD and import permit requirements to determine eligibility and inspecting plant products for export.
• Inspects plant material and witnesses treatment if required to determine if qualifications are met to finalize a phytosanitary certificate.
• Screens pest, pest plant or plant disease samples for further identification by specialist.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards:

• Review requirements of compliance agreements with stakeholders to determine if all requirements are being met.
• Compares inspection data to State laws and regulations to determine compliance and appropriate action to be taken.

Analyzing Data or Information:

• Analyzes data for movement of plant material based on destination (e.g., pest distribution status, Federal and State requirements).

Provide Consultation and Advice to Others:

• Educates stakeholders such as growers, groups and affected industries about current and impending plant regulations regarding movement of regulated articles and possible mitigations.
• Educates stakeholders such as growers, groups and affected industries about current and impending plant disease, insects and pest plants and their location.
• Consults with and advises clients about problems found with plants or plant products.
• Consults and advises exporters of international or domestic shipments of plant products about phytosanitary requirements.

Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material:

• Conducts visual inspections of plants to determine freedom from injurious pests and diseases.
• Inspects equipment and structures (e.g., greenhouses, butterfly houses, potting sheds, soil labs, sprayers) for compliance with State and federal plant regulations.

Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others:

• Explains how certification fees and late fees are assessed to help the client understand State policies.
• Discusses how violations impact the industry and how compliance can be achieved.
• Hears complaints from public and industries about illegal operators, improper use of chemicals, etc. referring the complaint/complainant to appropriate entity.
• Writes a report of findings when a certified producer or dealer perceives sub-standard plant material has been received so the producer/dealer can notify the seller in an attempt to rectify situation.
• Issues an Officer's Statement to supervisor when illegal practices are found through complaints or disputes leading to possible Notice of Violations.

Handling and Moving Objects:

• Installs and maintains traps for collection of exotic pests - including setting poles in ground, operating pruning saws, using telescoping poles to set traps in trees, constructing and installing water baiting stations at the edge of streams or ponds.
• Moves nursery stock in order to conduct inspections.
• Collects and preserves samples from surveys to determine if further action must be taken.

Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others:

• Acts as Lead Inspector when other Inspectors are assisting on large inspections, surveys and special projects.
• Oversees the work of seasonal employees within their assigned work area.

Coaching and Developing Others:

• Mentors new Inspectors and seasonal employees with regulations, Edison, inspection and survey techniques, and investigations in how to most effectively and efficiently perform their assigned tasks.
• Assists and trains co-workers in areas of lesser experience and knowledge to better carry out assigned tasks.

Getting Information:

• Looks for invoices of dealers' plant material to identify approved source.
• Check for certification to verify compliance with State and Federal regulations.
• Gathers information about establishments such as number and location of growing fields, type of plant material grown for the purpose of determining compliance with all applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.
• Collects exhibits such as photographs and insects to document specific conditions.

Interacting With Computers:

• Enters time and labor or expense information electronically to document weekly schedule and work related travel.
• Searches information data bases to extract data (e.g., for phytosanitary requirements, pest and disease information, other state requirements for movement of plants).
• Enters pest detection data and survey details in information and data tracker systems.
• Uses word processing and spreadsheet programs for a variety of report preparations.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work:

• Organizes and prioritizes activities to be completed on a daily and weekly schedule.
• Incorporates last minute and unscheduled tasks into current workload to ensure timely, efficient and accurate completion of work.

Communicating with Persons Outside Organization:

• Prepares and delivers instructional and informative presentations on industry related topics such as updates, regulations, new treatments, etc.
• Provides outreach information in the form of handouts to the public and industry personnel at fairs, trade shows, etc. on topics such as potential threats, introduction of invasive pests.
• Responds to questions concerning plant related issues and routes other agricultural issues to appropriate entity.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:

• Maintains accreditation as an Authorized Certifying Official recognized by USDA APHIS PPQ (Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine) by completing training and testing every 3 years.
• Maintains Pesticide Applicator Category 10 (demonstration and research) by accruing points through continuing education.
• Attends mandatory in-house meetings to be updated on recent changes to State and Federal regulations as well as new insects, pests and diseases.
• Continuously maintains inspection manual by adding updated information such as memos, trade publications, and technical journals provided by supervisor and/or administration.

Performing General Physical Activities:

• Walks for an extended period of time while conducting inspections and surveys.
• Bends, stoops, squats, etc. to inspect plant material in field and greenhouses and to conduct surveys.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates:

• Sends supervisor a written summary report of activities completed the previous week, daily time logs and labor distribution time sheets (LDT).
• Reports stop-sale to supervisor and follows up with written report.
• Reports any unusual activity such as new pests or diseases to be identified, traffic or personal accidents, etc.
• Communicates with peers at monthly or bi-monthly meetings on issues such as emerging pests that have been recently found.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment:

• Operates passenger vehicle to travel to various locations.
• May operate all-terrain vehicles to access inspection site.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships:

• Attends and participates in industry meetings to establish and foster constructive working relationships.
• Develops constructive and cooperative working relationships with USDA, US/TDA Forest Service, UT/TSU Extension and Research, etc. by working together to accomplish a unified effort in order to reduce costs and reduce pest movement.
• Works with HIS (Horticultural Inspectors Society) to harmonize inspection procedures, share knowledge and facilitate cooperation among states.

Developing and Building Teams:

• Cooperates with and assists other Inspectors on large inspections, surveys and special projects.
• Provides and/or asks for input on areas of lesser experience and knowledge in group settings.

Performing Administrative Activities:

• Completes daily time log of activities by inputting actions such as time, travel, program variable and activity codes, mileage, etc.
• Compiles information from daily time log for accounting purposes - Labor Distribution Time Sheet.
• Maintains account of monthly mileage to be submitted to appropriate location for processing.
• Prepares Chain of Custody forms for sample submissions.

Controlling Machines and Processes:

• Operates a digital camera to submit photos for pest and disease identification, investigative purposes, findings of inspection, etc.
• Operates copy machines, scanners, fax machines, cell phones, GPS.

Documenting/Recording Information:

• Maintains hard copy files of inspection reports, compliance agreements, sod permits, daily logs, etc.

Competencies (KSA'S)

Competencies:

• Dealing with Ambiguity
• Problem Solving
• Priority Setting
• Timely Decision making
• Conflict Management
• Action Oriented
• Approachability
• Composure
• Integrity and Trust
• Listening

Knowledge:

• 
  Biology
• Chemistry
• Law and Government
• Mathematics
• Production and Processing
• Sales and Marketing
• Transportation

Skills:

• Active Learning
• Active Listening
• Critical Thinking
• Learning Strategies
• Mathematics
• Reading Comprehension
• Science
• Speaking
• Writing
• Coordination
• Instruction
• Negotiation
• Persuasion
• Service Orientation
• Social Perceptiveness
• Complex Problem Solving
• Time Management

Abilities:

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Oral Comprehension
• Oral Expression
• Problem Sensitivity
• Written Comprehension
• Written Expression
• Extent Flexibility
• Stamina
• Static Strength
• Depth Perception
• Near Vision
• Speech Clarity
• Speech Recognition

Tools and Equipment Used

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.