Agricultural Program Specialist II

Job Code: 32000034
Salary Grade: NC14

Class Concept

Agriculture Related Activities/Program

Positions in this class influence one or more agribusiness programs of considerable scope and complexity at the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Work is technical and administrative in planning and directing programs that may impact divisional operations. Work examples include implementing division-wide training programs, policy and procedure development, regional program oversight. Positions are differentiated by lower levels by having a broader scope and higher degree of complexity and work. Work may include other duties as assigned.

Pesticides

This is technical and supervisory work in the regulation of pesticides, including product registration and the licensing, inspection, and investigation of pesticide dealers, applicators, and consultants, as well as compliance and disposal assistance programs. The employee provides administrative, supervisory and technical expertise and oversight to implement registration, licensing, compliance monitoring and field enforcement and disposal assistance programs to fulfill mandates under NCPL of 1971 and regulations or the NC Pesticide Board and applicable sections of the Federal Pesticide Law and EPA Regulations. Responsibilities include investigation of alleged violations of pesticide laws and regulations, considerable contact with Federal and State agencies, and development of training materials and licensing examinations. Employees identify, develop, and oversee implementation of registration, licensing and certification programs. Employees oversee compliance monitoring, enforcement procedures, and disposal assistance programs to ensure timely recognition of emerging issues. Employees track and evaluate administrative, technical, and field operations outputs and accomplishments. Employee performs related work as required.

Regulatory Weed Programs

Work in this class involves the planning, development and implementation of a statewide regulatory weed program to protect North Carolina agriculture from the introduction and establishment of noxious weeds. Regulatory programs are administered in accordance with the North Carolina Plant Pest Law, the North Carolina Aquatic Weed Control Act and associated federal and state regulations to control and/or eradication state noxious weeds, including witchweed. Employee provides technical expertise in the detection, identification and control of state and federally listed noxious weeds. Employee determines program needs and priorities; serves as a technical resource to co-workers and the public; trains field personnel; coordinates and evaluates survey, quarantine and other cooperative programs with other states and federal agencies; coordinates export and import certification activities; and participates in research activities. Work requires the development of programs, policies, and procedures, and writing and/or revising laws, rules, and regulations. Employee maintains close contact with state and federal agencies, industry groups, professional and civic organizations, extension agents, the nursery and agricultural community, and the general public. Employee performs related work as required.

Plant Ecology

This is professional and technical work involving the planning, coordinating, and implementation of a statewide program to preserve North Carolina's rare and threatened plant species as mandated by the North Carolina Plant Protection and Conservation Act, and subsequent regulations. Employee plans, coordinates and directs all related programs required to conserve the native plant species of North Carolina in their natural habitats. Major duties include working with staff, the N.C. Plant Conservation Scientific Committee, and the N.C. Plant Conservation Board in developing and maintaining an official list of endangered, threatened, and special concerned plant species; evaluating whether plant species growing in the state need to have limits or regulations for protection; and developing and coordinating programs for endangered and threatened plant species in the state. Employee must work closely with state, federal, industry and land conservation groups. Work may include other duties as assigned.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Agricultural Related Activities/Program

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

Pesticides

• (i) Considerable knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations concerning pesticides.
• (ii) Considerable knowledge of chemical properties and usage of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, defoliants, disinfectants, avicides rodenticides, and other classes of pesticides.
• (iii) Considerable knowledge of pesticide application and storage equipment.
• (iv) Considerable knowledge of agricultural practices in the State.
• (v) Ability to train and supervise a staff of pesticide specialists and to provide training for field personnel.
• (vi) Ability to analyze and interpret a wide range of data pertaining to the use, efficacy chemical properties and environmental concerns related to pesticides.
• (vii) Ability to recognize program and policy needs and to develop new or revised programs and legislation.
• (viii) Ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationship with other agency pesticide manufacturers, dealers and users.
• (viii) Ability to analyze and interpret a wide range of data pertaining to the use, efficacy, chemical properties, and environmental concerns related to pesticides.

Regulatory Weed Programs

• (i) Knowledge of state and federal laws, regulations and programs associated with weed pests and agricultural crops.
• (ii) Considerable knowledge of North Carolina flora and of exotic weeds.
• (iii) Considerable knowledge of agricultural production systems and practices in the state including the use of herbicides and other cultural techniques.
• (iv) Ability to interpret and apply state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• (v) Ability to compose technical documents, laws, rules and regulations and to communicate these effectively.
• (vi) Ability to train staff in a variety of regulatory and service activities, and to serve as a technical consultant to field personnel.
• (vii) Ability to identify weeds through use of the taxonomic keys.
• (viii) 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.
• (ix) Ability to communicate effectively.

Plant Ecology

• (i) Considerable knowledge of the principals of botany and applied ecology, with emphasis in plant taxonomy.
• (ii) Considerable knowledge of plant habitats, environmental conditions, and agricultural and forestry practices in North Carolina.
• (iii) Working knowledge of protecting endangered species.
• (iv) Skill in the development of and considerable knowledge of the endangered and threatened plant laws of the United States, other States and foreign countries and relating them to conditions in North Carolina.
• (v) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various state and federal agencies, the scientific community, conservation organizations, the agribusiness and forestry community, and the general public.
• (vi) Ability to write technical publications, regulations and general articles in support of activities relating to the endangered and threatened plant program.

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 two years 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 three years 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.

Regulatory Weed Programs: Master's degree in horticulture, crop science, weed science, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Plant Ecology: Master's degree in botany, plant conservation, forestry, or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of related professional experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.