Pesticide Inspector II

Job Code: 32001006
Salary Grade: NC10
Revision Date: 10/2023

Class Concept

Positions in this class provide field level administrative, investigative and enforcement, implementation, and compliance assurance activities in specialized areas of pesticide management and control programs, under state and federal worker protection standards as well as pesticide laws and regulations and related environmental and public health protection statutes. Positions establish requirements for safe working environments for pesticide workers and handlers and communities in and surrounding areas treated with agricultural pesticides. Positions conduct complex and detailed inspections relative to all aspects of pesticide distribution, handling and use in North Carolina, particularly at the end-user level. Investigations are likely to involve safety hazard situations extending beyond a single user of agricultural operation and may involve community-wide impacts.

Federal special action chemical investigations and inspections are conducted in accordance with applicable laws and regulations to minimize and prevent adverse human health and environmental impacts from pesticide use, storage, and disposal. These positions conduct all investigations resulting from State, federal and local government agency referrals. Positions work in cooperation with other departments administering additional environmental, health and labor regulations and laws and provide expert technical assistance and guidance to municipal, county, state and federal governments, and businesses to minimize and manage risks from legal pesticide use to human health and the environment. Positions in this position routinely consult and advise local, state, and federal specialists dealing with environmental protection, public health, safety and welfare, and labor practices, statutes, and rules.

Positions differ from Pesticide Inspector I, whose enforcement response duties involve evidence collection and case development. These positions exercise complex analytical and technical judgment in investigation, prosecution and penalty phase implementation and subsequent compliance monitoring with respect to violations of applicable state and federal pesticide laws and regulations.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the regulatory structure governing the lawful use of insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, rodenticide, disinfectants, and other pesticides, integrated pest management practices, agricultural production practices in North Carolina
• Intermediate knowledge of toxicology, chemistry/formulation/and properties of pesticides and their environmental interactions, computer modeling, hydrogeology, and agricultural engineering technologies, e.g., Application equipment is required.
• Ability to comprehend state and federal pesticide-related laws and regulations, apply guidelines and rules, maintain technical competence, and develop new skills as necessary to solve technical problems, and keep fully abreast of advancing technologies and issues involving pesticides
• Basic knowledge and understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various local, state, and federal agencies and institutions as their work impacts the safe and legal handling and use of pesticides in North Carolina and throughout the United States
• Basic knowledge in procedures of evidence collection

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in chemistry, entomology, pest management, horticulture, plant pathology, or a closely related biological science from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.