Agricultural Inspector II (Agricultural Inspector II (Nursery Inspection - #26-002889-0003

The MarylandDepartment of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's ExecutiveBranch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address theagriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and servesas a regulatory body for animal health , consumer services to include marketing and lab services , plant andpest management and resource conservation. As the number one industry inMaryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continues toexpand and grow .

MDA's Vision

Achieving excellence in programsand services that preserve and protect agricultural resources and theenvironment, promote profitable agriculture and consumer confidence, andenhance the quality of life for all Marylanders.

MDA's Mission

Providing leadership and support toagriculture and the citizens of Maryland by conducting regulatory, service, andeducational activities that assure consumer confidence, protect theenvironment, and promote agriculture.

The PlantProtection and Weed Management Program conducts regulatory,inspection, and educational programs that protect the health of plants andhoneybees in Maryland. Personnel in this section serve as the State'sauthorities on plant pests and agricultural quarantines and provide liaison forthe Department with other state and federal regulatory officials regardingthese issues. The nursery industry is a strong and growing part of Maryland'sagricultural economy. It is the number two agricultural commodities in thestate and the number one cash crop. It is the goal of this section tofacilitate the production and sale of Maryland nursery stock by inspecting allplant material intended for sale or distribution to ensure that it is diseaseand pest free. Maryland nursery products are sold throughout the world. Nurseryinspectors look at plant material before shipment to determine whether allquarantine requirements are met. Each state or country has specificrequirements for incoming shipments of nursery stock.

Joinour Team and make a difference to protect our natural resources!

Toserve as a primary field representative for the Nursery Inspection Programwithin Maryland'sEastern Shore territory covering Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline, Talbot,Dorchester, Somerset, Worcester, and Wicomico. The main purpose of thisposition is to safeguard the state's nursery industry and natural resources byenforcing the Maryland Plant Pest Control Law and the Invasive Plant Law. Thisinvolves confirming licensure and performing inspections of nurseries andlicensed plant dealers to identify, sample, and mitigate the spread of plantpests and diseases.

Performroutine inspections of certified nurseries and licensed plant dealers takingsamples to the lab as needed to help ensure the health and viability ofMaryland's plant industry. Visual inspections with samples taken of nurserystock are conducted to help identify plant pests, diseases, and otherdisorders, as well as the severity level, to make recommendationsto nursery managers and plant dealers.

Determinethat compliance parameters of the Maryland Plant Pest Control Law and InvasivePlant Law are met by nurseries and plant dealers. Verify that all nursery stockmeets state health standards prior to sale and that prohibited plants are notoffered for sale. Determine if plants sold or plant health condition warrantsthe issuance of a stop sale or condemnation seizure notice.

Reporton and maintain records and data of inspections completed. Maintain precise,legible records of inspection reports, lab results, and regulatory actionstaken. Utilize departmental databases and written forms, as applicable, todocument all findings related to those inspections conducted.

Assistother Plant Protection and Weed Management section personnel in the conduct oftheir work on other projects and activities in other areas of the state.Provide support to other Maryland nursery inspectors in other territories foremergency assistance related to pest detection, management and eradicationefforts.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high schoolequivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience in one of the following:production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agriculturalproducts or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in care and management ofanimals; animal disease control; care or management of livestock or inspectingveterinary hospitals, riding stables or livestock dealers; installation,inspection, repair, or testing of weighting, volumetric measuring or countingdevices; inspecting labeling and packaging; pesticide sales, use, regulation,or application; production, maintenance or inspection of a tree plantation ornursery stock; pest or weed control; wildlife population censuring; or theproduction, sales, inspection or testing of seed or turf products.

Notes:

1.Applicants may substitute fifteen credit hours in agriculture; animal,biological, environmental, food or physical sciences; chemistry; mathematics;engineering, or law enforcement at an accredited college or university for eachyear of experience for up to two years of experience.

2.Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experiencenon-commissioned officer in quality assurance, inspection and gradingclassification or quality assurance, inspection and grading specialty codes inthe agricultural commodity grading field of work on a year-for-year basis forthe required experience.

Preference will be given toapplicants who possess any of the following preferredqualification(s). Include clear and specific information on yourapplication regarding your qualifications.

Experience in entomology, horticulture, forest or forest pestmanagement, invasive plant management or other forestry or ornamental treeexperience.

Experience with performing inspections ofcertified nurseries or plant retail licensed dealers.

Experience working in a field settingcollecting samples, surveying inventory of certified nurseries or plant retaildealers.

Employeesin this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation ofa motor vehicle.

Employeesassigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operatorlicenses valid in the State of Maryland.

Employeesin this classification may be assigned to any county or region of the State andmay be required to establish residence within their assigned geographicarea.

Applicantswho meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in furtherevaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on youreducation, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of theposition. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete andaccurate information on your application. Successful candidates willbe ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed onthe eligible (employment) list for at least one year. Theresulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similarpositions in this or other State agencies.

Pleasereport on all related education, experience, dates, and hours ofwork. Clearly indicate your college degree, transcript, and major on yourapplication, if applicable.

Foreducation obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proofof the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credentialevaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the UnitedStates, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from oneof the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at . Any job offer will be contingent on thecandidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreigncredential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may berequested prior to interview).

Completeapplications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submittedafter this date will not be added. Incorrect application forms will notbe accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completedapplication.

The assessment mayconsist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to therequirements of the position. It is important that you provide completeand accurate information on your application. Please report on all experienceand education that is related to this position.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Theonline application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you areunable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: MarylandDepartment of Agriculture, Human Resource Office - Room 304, 50 Harry S. TrumanParkway, Annapolis, MD 21401. All paper applications must be received by4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.)Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paperapplication.

Itis important that all experiences be fully documented. Failure to ANSWER ALLSUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS SPECIFICALLY AND ACCURATELY may cause the candidate tobe rejected.

PLEASEFILL OUT THE APPLICATION COMPLETELY.

The application is part of the examination process. Youranswers will determine your eligibility to participate in the next phaseof the selection process.

Clearly describe your qualifications in detail. Creditcannot be given for education, training, experience, knowledge, skills, andabilities that you fail to indicate.

Do not leave any answer spaces blank; if a question does notapply, write "N/A".

Although you may attach a resume to further describe yourqualification, it does not substitute for completing the application form. Anincomplete application form may result in disqualification. Do NOT write"see resume" in your work history or responses to supplementalquestions.

Failure to comply with these instructions may result indisqualification.

Read the Job Announcement carefully for specific filinginstructions, supplemental questions, and final filing dates.

Ifyou are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, thepreferred method is to upload them online with your application. If youare unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax #...).

Forquestions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Stacey Summers... or .... TTY Users: call viaMaryland Relay.

Asan equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining,and promoting employees who are reflective of the States diversity. Peoplewith disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. Wethank our Veterans for their service to our country.