Salary: N/A
DEFINITION: Under general direction, plans, organized and
directs assigned programs which include enforcement of federal,
state and local agricultural laws and regulations; oversees field
operations of program staff; performs other duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This class differs that of
Assistant Agricultural Commissioner in that the incumbent is
responsible for the administration of specific assigned programs
rather than overall departmental management. Incumbents in this
class have line authority over assigned Agricultural Biologists and
Supervising Agricultural Biologists.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES: Plans, directs and reviews the work of
assigned staff in enforcing federal, state and local agricultural
laws and regulation; instructs staff in proper methods of inspection
and enforcement; provides technical assistance and resolves
difficult enforcement problems; prepares employee performance
reviews and corrects disciplinary problems or recommends further
action; trains and advises staff in agricultural enforcement laws
and policies, inspection techniques and procedures; participates in
administrative hearings to resolve legal violations; recommends
further legal action and represents department at legal proceedings;
prepares budget recommendations for assigned programs; assists in
establishments of inspection policies and procedures; researches,
interprets and applies new agricultural legislation; assists in
resolving pest problems; makes presentation at meetings concerning
department activities; investigates reported violations and
recommends solutions; compiles statistical reports and performs
surveys for local and state use and maintains inspection records;
issues agricultural licenses and permits; and acts for Agricultural
Commissioner as directed.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: Possession of a valid state-wide
Deputy County Agricultural Commissioner license issued by California
Department of Food and Agriculture at time of appointment.
Additional Requirements: Possession of a valid California
Class C Driver's License is required.
Knowledge of: organization, procedures and operations of
the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office; California State and
Federal laws, regulations and policies pertaining to the functions
of Agricultural Commissioner's Office; principles of botany,
entomology, pathology, genetics and laboratory procedures relating
to agricultural enforcement and services; pest detection and
exclusion, standardization, nursery and seed law enforcement;
noxious week and vertebrate pest management; apiary enforcement;
pesticide use/worker health and safety enforcement; principles of
office management, supervision and training.
Ability to: interpret, apply and standardize use of
applicable laws, regulations, ordinances, agreements and policies of
the County Agricultural Commissioner's Office; plan, organize and
direct inspection and enforcement staff on assigned programs;
provide appropriate staff training; identify and resolve complex
enforcement problems; develop policy recommendations; coordinate
efforts and cooperate with other governmental agencies; communicate
effectively orally and in writing and interested groups.
