Agricultural Program Specialist I

Job Code: 32000033
Salary Grade: NC13

Class Concept

Agriculture Related Activities/Program

Positions in this class administer an agribusiness program of limited scope and complexity, requiring specialized knowledge of the program and the associated processes and procedures. This is technical work that involves coordinating and implementing the day-to-day an agribusiness effort within a division at the Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services. This position serves as a consultant to senior within a division and may oversee a section depending on the scope and complexity of work. Positions at the level II oversee programs with a larger scope and complexity of work. Work may include other duties as assigned.

Pesticides

This is technical work in the regulation of pesticides distributed, sold and/or used in North Carolina including the registration of pesticide products and the licensing, inspection, and investigation of pesticide dealers, applicators, and consultants, as well as compliance monitoring and disposal assistance. Employees review and evaluate registration applications, product, labels, and data relating to efficacy, toxicology, residues, metabolism, and environmental safety prior to approval of the sale or use of pesticide products in North Carolina. Responsibilities include issuance of experimental permits, special local need registration, and issuance and follow-up on stop-sale orders. Responsibilities may include development, validation, and administration of training materials and certification and licensing examinations; review and approval of pesticide continuing education training, follow-up investigation of alleged violations of pesticide laws and regulations, considerable contact with Federal and State agencies, and pesticide disposal assistance for farmers and homeowners. Work may include other duties as assigned.

Plant Pest Regulatory Programs

Work in this class involves the implementation of plant pest regulatory programs and the inspection of nurseries and vegetable plant dealerships within a designated area of the state to enforce the North Carolina Plant Pest Law, Vegetable Plant Law, Biological Organism Law, Uniform Boll Weevil Eradication Act, Plant Conservation Law, and various federal plant protection laws. Employees assist in the development and planning of programs and are responsible for conducting pest control and detection programs within a specified geographical area. Employees inspect nurseries, native plants, and interstate plant shipments for the presence of harmful insect pests and plant diseases; certify stock for movement and sale; advise nursery owners of chemical and cultural pest control measures; and participate in biological organism surveys. Technical expertise is required in the identification of problems and recommendations for control measures. Work also includes interacting with county agents, and promoting, interpreting, and educating the agricultural community and the general public on matters relating to pest control quarantine and the release of biological organisms, and other duties as assigned.

Seed and Fertilizer Regulation

Work in this class involves fieldwork within a designated area of the state in the inspection of seed, fertilizer, lime, landplaster and soil additives offered for sale in North Carolina to ensure compliance with standards established by the North Carolina Seed Law, Federal Seed Act, North Carolina Fertilizer Law, North Carolina Lime and Landplaster Act and the North Carolina Soil Additives Act. Employees inspect dealers and their products to ensure compliance with these laws. These inspections include visits to both seed and fertilizer dealers, bulk processors, and retail outlets. Employees are responsible for taking samples in accordance with procedures established by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists for fertilizer and the Association of American Seed Control Officials for seed to assess the overall quality of the products. Employees may place seed or fertilizer lots under Stop Sale Order if it is determined that the product is in violation of applicable laws or regulations. Employees are also responsible for responding to complaints regarding the quality of seed or fertilizer products purchased by farmers and homeowners and to conduct and initial investigations. Work includes daily contact with seed and fertilizer dealers, fertilizer manufacturers and seedsmen. There is frequent contact with Extension agents, individual farmers, and homeowners. Employees perform related work as required.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Agricultural Related Activities/Program

• (i) Working knowledge of the agribusiness industry in North Carolina.
• (ii) Basic knowledge of the occupational field to which assigned.
• (iii) Knowledge of State and Federal regulatory and service programs in the area to which assigned.
• (iv) Ability to administer a semi-technical agribusiness program.
• (v) Ability to promote the agriculture industry and products.
• (vi) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• (vii) Knowledge of agricultural practices in the state as well as knowledge of movement of agricultural commodities in national and international commerce.
• (viii) Knowledge of environmental principles and sensitivities. Ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• (ix) Ability to conduct laboratory, greenhouse and field research of an applied nature and analyze results using appropriate statistics.
• (x) Ability to understand technical agribusiness documents, laws, rules and regulations and to communicate these effectively.
• (xi) Ability to train staff in a variety of regulatory and service activities, and to serve as a technical consultant to field personnel.
• (xii) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with state and federal agencies, related industry and university personnel, extension agents, nursery and agricultural groups, agricultural research personnel, and the general public.
• (xiii) Ability to communicate effectively.

Pesticides

• (i) Considerable knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations pertaining to pesticides.
• (ii) Considerable knowledge of chemistry, toxicology, properties and uses of pesticides, and environmental considerations.
• (iii) Considerable knowledge of agricultural practices in the State.
• (iv) Considerable knowledge of pesticide application and storage equipment.
• (v) Ability to analyze and interpret data relating to pesticides.
• (vi) Ability to present and explain programs and policies relating to pesticides.
• (vii) Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other agencies, pesticide manufacturers, dealers and users.

Plant Pest Regulatory Programs

• (i) Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws pertaining to plant pests management.
• (ii) Considerable knowledge of the principles of entomology, plant pathology, and horticulture.
• (iii) Considerable knowledge of plant material certification requirements for interstate movement and for export.
• (iv) Ability to identify plant insects and diseases and to prescribe adequate control measures.
• (v) Ability to establish and maintain effective work relationships with county agents, the nursery and agricultural community, and the general public.
• (vi) Ability to interpret applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• (vii) Ability to coordinate field projects.
• (viii) Ability to work independently.
• (ix) Ability to complete required forms, reports and record.

Seed and Fertilizer Regulation

• (i) Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws governing the composition, registration, labeling, and sale of seeds and fertilizer.
• (ii) General knowledge of the principals of crop and weed science.
• (iii) Ability to identify seed and fertilizer kinds and types of weed seeds through visual examination of physical characteristics.
• (iv) Ability to interpret applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
• (v) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with seed and fertilizer producers, processors, and dealers; other government agencies; and the general public.
• (vi) Ability to complete required forms, reports, and records.
• (vii) Ability to work independently.
• (viii) Ability to instruct beginning specialists in the proper inspection methods and procedures.

Minimum Education and Experience

Agricultural Related Activities/Program: Bachelor's degree in an agricultural field or a field related to the area of assignment from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience in the planning, analysis, or administration of agriculturally related programs in the public or private sectors; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Pesticides: Bachelor's degree in entomology, plant pathology, plant physiology, horticulture, chemistry, agronomy, biology, zoology, soil science, crop science, animal science, environmental or ecological science or a related scientific field of study from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of related experience in regulatory or government service programs, cooperative extension programs or agricultural research or industry; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Plant Pest Regulatory Programs: Bachelor's degree in entomology, plant pathology or horticulture with an emphasis on pest management, crop science or closely related biological science from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of plant inspection/specialist experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Seed and Fertilizer Regulation: Bachelor's degree in agronomy, field crops, horticulture, botany, seed technology, agricultural education or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience in seed analysis, seed and fertilizer sales, seed and fertilizer production, or processing; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.