Pesticide Use Specialist Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established May 14, 1980

Scope

This series specification describes three levels of Pesticide Use Specialists used in the Division of Pest Management, Environmental Protection and Worker Safety, of the Department of Food and Agriculture. These classes are used to administer the inspection and enforcement provisions of the Food and Agriculture Code and the California Administrative Code pertaining to pesticide use.

Definition of Series

Incumbents in these classes perform or supervise inspections and investigations and assist County Agricultural Commissioners in the enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to pesticide manufacture, sale, use, and residue; collect samples for laboratory analysis; assist in or develop training programs, and train County Agricultural Commissioners and their staffs; assist County Agricultural Officials in solving pesticide-related problems; direct, conduct or assist in intercounty investigations; conduct or assist in informal investigative hearings, cooperate in or coordinate program activities with Federal, State and County agencies involved in similar areas of responsibility; confer with and advise industry and consumer representatives on the proper interpretation of rules, regulations and laws pertaining to pesticides; conduct or assist in evaluations and the preparation of reports on the efficiency and effectiveness of County pesticide enforcement programs; make speeches, prepare correspondence and reports.

Factors Affecting Positions Allocation

Level and variety of work assigned; independence of action; degree of responsibility; supervision received and exercised, complexity and sensitivity of special projects assigned.

Definitions of Levels

Pesticide Use Specialist

This is the entry, training and first working level. Incumbents work: (1) under close supervision to become familiar with pesticide inspection and enforcement work by performing a variety of less complex tasks; and (2) under general supervision, perform work of average difficulty that does not include the complete range of varied and difficult assignments. This is considered the fully qualified journey level for incumbents performing solely product quality and/or residue sampling.

Senior Pesticide Use Specialist

Under direction, incumbents perform the full range of difficult and complex inspection and enforcement duties. In this capacity, as the fully qualified journey level, Senior Specialists may: (1) have independent responsibility for the most complex field inspection, investigation and enforcement activities which typically include lead responsibility over lower level State or County investigators; (2) have functional responsibility for training, assisting, advising, and evaluating County inspection and investigation programs and staff; or (3) in a headquarters setting have full statewide responsibility for a major support function or major special project.

Supervising Pesticide Use Specialist

This is the full supervisory level of the series. Under general direction, incumbents have geographic responsibility for a large State or County field inspection and investigation program.

Minimum Qualifications

Pesticide Use Specialist

Either I

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in chemistry, agricultural science, biological science, environmental science, pest management, or a closely related major. (Students in their senior year in college will be admitted to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before being considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

One year of experience in the Department of Food and Agriculture performing the duties of an Agricultural Services Technician II, Range B. (Applicants who have complete six months of service as an Agricultural Services Technician II, Range B, will be admitted to the examination, but must satisfactorily complete one year of experience in the class before being considered eligible for appointment.)

Senior Pesticide Use Specialist

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing duties in the class of Pesticide Use Specialist, Range B. (Applicants who have completed six months of experience as a Pesticide Use Specialist, Range B, will be admitted to the examination, but they must have completed one year of experience in the class before being considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Three years of progressively responsible experience in the inspection and enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to the manufacture, sale, and use of pesticides. Experience gained in California state service must include one year in a position with responsibilities equivalent to Pesticide Use Specialist, Range B. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in chemistry, agricultural science, biological science, environmental science, pest management, or a related major.

Or III

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible experience in work or research pertaining to the manufacture, sale and use of pesticides. Experience gained under this pattern must include interpretation and application of California pesticide laws and regulations. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in chemistry, agricultural science, biological science, environmental science, pest management or a related major.

Supervising Pesticide Use Specialist

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing duties in the class of Senior Pesticide Use Specialist. (Applicants who have had six months experience as a Senior Pesticide Use Specialist will be admitted to the examination, but must have completed one year of experience in the class before being considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Four years of progressively responsible experience in the inspection and enforcement of laws and regulations pertaining to the manufacture, sale, and use of pesticides. Experience gained in California state service must include one year in a position with responsibilities equivalent to that of a Senior Pesticide Use Specialist. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with a major in chemistry, agricultural science, biological science, environmental science, pest management, or a closely related major.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Pests affecting agricultural and ornamental plants; chemical, biological and environmental principles of pesticide use; the role of pesticides and the hazards associated with their use in the rural and urban environment; the role of pesticides in the integrated pest management concept; methods and materials used in the manufacture, distribution and application of pesticides; principles of field inspection, sampling, and monitoring of pests and pesticides.

Ability to: Interpret and apply laws and regulations relating to pesticide manufacture, sale, use and residue; learn and apply formal investigation techniques and procedures, rules of evidence and court procedures; prepare concise and complete reports; speak and write effectively; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work; prepare correspondence.

Senior Pesticide Use Specialist

Knowledge of: All of the above in practice and application; laws and regulations relating to pesticide manufacture, sale, use and residue; methods, materials, equipment, practices and terminology used in agricultural pest control work; investigation techniques and procedures; rules of evidence and court procedures; and techniques of training and supervision.

Ability to: All of the above and conduct effective investigations; functionally train and coordinate the work of State and County employees; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; advise Counties in the implementation of their pesticide use enforcement programs; draft and revise rules, regulations and instructions; speak effectively before groups; review and evaluate the work of others and give guidance and counsel in work methods and procedures.

Supervising Pesticide Use Specialist

Knowledge of: All of the above and directing the work of others in the performance of pesticide use enforcement work; principles of personnel and program management; the Department's Affirmative Action Program objectives; a manager's role in the Affirmative Action Program and the processes available to meet affirmative action objectives.

Ability to: All of the above and plan, organize and direct complex pesticide use enforcement investigations; coordinate investigations with related agencies; determine sufficiency and validity of evidence necessary to prosecute violations of the Code; hold informal hearings; independently manage and administer a field office with geographic responsibility; effectively contribute to the Department's affirmative action objectives.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Objectively, dependability; diplomacy; tact; accuracy; keenness of observation and perceptiveness; possession of a valid California driver's license (applicants who do not possess this license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment); willingness to work irregular hours at various locations throughout the State; and willingness to travel.

Alternate Range Criteria

Pesticide Use Specialist

When an employee first enters the class of Pesticide Use Specialist he/she shall be appointed to the appropriate range in terms of the following criteria:

Range A. This range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for Range B.

Range B. This range shall apply to incumbents who have satisfactorily completed one year of experience at Range A; or who have two years of experience performing pesticide use enforcement inspections and investigations at least one year of which must have been at a level of responsibility equivalent to Pesticide Use Specialist, Range A.

When an employee in Range A meets the criteria for Range B and upon the recommendation of the appointing power, the employee shall receive a rate in the new range under the provisions of Department of Personnel Administration Rule 599.676 and a new salary anniversary date will be established.

Class History