Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1-3Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/newprint/4754955) ApplyAgricultural Environmental Specialist 1-3Salary $3,333.20 - $5,724.00 MonthlyLocation Statewide, LAJob TypeClassifiedJob NumberAES-51489-12-9-24-BCDepartmentDAF-Agriculture and ForestryOpening Date12/10/2024Closing Date12/15/2024 11:59 PM Central
Description
Benefits
Questions
Supplemental InformationJob# AES-51489-12-9-24-BCThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and State as a Model Employer (SAME) to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. This position (#51489) work location area may include neighboring parishes of Alexandria, Louisiana. Statewide travel may be required during state emergencies. Applicants with experience exceeding the minimum qualifications may be eligible for salary above the minimum hiring rate, in accordance with State Civil Service Rule 6.5(g). This position has a Special Entrance Rate at (SER) each level of the Career Progression Group Agriculture Environmental Specialist 1has an SER of $19.23 per hour. Agriculture Environmental Specialist 2has an SER of $20.58 per hour. Agriculture Environmental Specialist 3has an SER of $22.02 per hour. As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as an Agriculture Environmental Specialist 1 ,2 or 3, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). Please refer to the 'Job Specifications' tab located at the top of the LA Careers 'Current Job Opportunities' page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level. Core Competencies:Communicating Effectively : The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas. Following Policies and Procedures : The ability to comply with policies and procedures of the organization as well as State Civil Service rules, and all applicable federal and state laws. Making Accurate Judgments : The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards. Preferred Competencies: Accepting Direction: The ability to accept and follow directions from those higher in the chain of command. Acting with Ethics and Integrity: The ability to be consistent, honest, and a trustworthy steward of State resources. Adapting to Change : The ability to adjust plans, expectations, and behaviors in response to change. Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to accept ownership for your actions, behaviors, performance, and decisions. Demonstrating Initiative : The ability to assess information and take action independently to help the organization achieve its goals. Displaying Professionalism: The ability to recognize how your actions impact the perceptions of both you and your organization. Working Safely: The ability to maintain safety by following rules and procedures. No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the"Apply"link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their applications to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience sections of the application. This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization. All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening. For further information about this vacancy, contact: Brandi CollinsHR Specialist Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 bcollins@ldaf.state.la.usThe Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors. Minimum QualificationsMINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A baccalaureate degree with at least twenty-four semester hours in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, or environmental science, an engineering field, or any combination.SUBSTITUTION: Experience in inspecting or enforcing for compliance with agricultural laws, rules or regulations will substitute for the specialized coursework on the basis of 12 semester hours for one year of experience. Experience in planning or implementing soil, water or wetland conservation practices in agricultural or wetland environments will substitute for the specialized coursework on the basis of 12 semester hours for one year of experience. NOTE: Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university. Job ConceptsFunction of Work:To perform inspections and investigations relative to laws governing entomology, horticulture, agronomy, pesticide, structural pest control, seed, fertilizer, and quarantine programs.ORTo assess the environmental impact of agricultural operations on soil, water, air, and other related natural resources and develop and direct management plans designed to protect these resources.Level of Work:Entry.Supervision Received:General from an Agricultural Environmental Specialist of a higher grade.Supervision Exercised:None.Location of Work:Department of Agriculture and Forestry, Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences or Office of Soil and Water Conservation.Job Distinctions:Differs from Agricultural Environmental Specialist 2 by lack of responsibility for journeyman level work.Examples of WorkThis position performs complex and advanced level duties for Office of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences within the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry and entails responsibility and professional agricultural inspection and enforcement work in a variety of technically specialized and professional regulatory programs, including but not limited to fertilizer, horticulture, liming, pesticides, quarantine, seed and structural pest control. This position requires the ability to work more independently, which differentiates it from the Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1 and 2 positions and requires the ability to handle complex investigations. This position may assist a supervisor and/or manager in administrative functions and has lead-worker responsibilities over Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1 and 2 positions in the assigned AES District. This position serves as a mentor to Agricultural Environmental Specialist 1 and 2 positions and is highly involved in every aspect of training those positions. General supervision for this position is received from the Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager or Agricultural Environmental Specialist Supervisor. 75% - Field Work/Inspections With a high level of independence and technical skills based on years of experience and training, performs more complex and difficult inspections or investigations related to the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences services that may be initiated from routine reports, knowledge of local activities, or from tips, complaints or referrals. Evaluates and compiles data and other facts related to inspections within the above-described functional areas into comprehensive technical reports through the use of established regulatory criteria, policies, and procedures. The goal is to prepare reports that can be defended in administrative proceedings or beyond when applicable. This data may also be formally presented by the incumbent in meetings or conferences with program managers, including unclassified directors, assistant directors, and the assistant commissioner, and for training seminars conducted for less experienced inspectors. Ensure consumer products meet applicable quality standards through routine sampling in all of the functional areas such as: disease/insect/weed free; quality seed germination; products meet amounts declared on labels; quality plant installation and maintenance; pesticide treatments that provide protection of human health, homes and crops; quality agricultural lime; assists in preventing introduction of noxious weeds, insects and diseases; etc. Issues stop orders on applicable goods, products or activities not registered or substandard. Conducts field inspections on various crops, bulk bin seed sampling, records inspection and seed processor facility inspections for seed certification. Has advanced knowledge of various crops and varieties thereof related to the Seed Certification Program. Conducts inspections and/or investigations related to pesticide producers, distributors, dealers or aerial or ground pesticide applicators ensuring they are complying with licensing/certification, record keeping, and use laws, rules and regulations. Through experience gained related to pesticide off-target drift and knowledge of potential damage effects caused by specific pesticides via visual inspection and sampling, independently investigates pesticide damage complaints by observing aerial views and interviewing persons as to improper operations of pesticide applications. Inspects structures treated and pretreated by local pest companies to ensure termite treatment meets minimum standards set by pest control laws. Has advanced experience in the structural pest control program to understand the rules and regulations related to minimum standards and be able to discuss with pest control operators. Conducts complex inspections and/or investigations related to horticulture, quarantine and/or nursery work. Collects routine official regulatory samples of seed, fertilizer and agricultural lime from manufacturers, dealers, and farmers, as well as investigative samples due to complaints or as follow up to a previous sample collection. Uses various electronic devices that assist in inspection/investigation documentation and keeps current with available technology by participating in training provided or by independent study. May serve on new technology pilot program to obtain and present feedback to management on the implementation of new technology for field inspections and investigations. 25% Administrative Serves as lead-worker over Agricultural Environmental Specialists 1 and 2 and trains persons in these positions utilizing technical knowledge of regulatory programs and investigative techniques. May assist the supervisor and/or manager in handling administrative functions for this unit, including but not limited to gathering EPA numbers from work reports, reviewing and compiling inspection reports. Independently and accurately responds to inquiries from regulated industries and the public. Incumbent is required to operate and maintain a state vehicle in performance of duties and may be required to make inspections of rice fields on horseback. Statewide travel may be required. Other duties as may be assigned. Functional Requirements:
Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds
Reaching above shoulders
Climbing stairs and occasionally ladders
Sit over a long period of time at work station or in a vehicle for travel
Drive a vehicle to perform inspections and investigations
Requires considerable walking over irregular ground and standing for long periods of time
Lifting items such as tools, computer, scanner, luggage or other items used to travel and perform duties/attend class throughout the state
Environmental Factors:
Occasional excessive heat and humidity
May be required to wear appropriate safety protection
Working indoors and outdoors
Working around routine neighborhood residential hazards
Occasionally working in moderately cold temperatures for short periods of time
Exposed to grain dust, bad odors from farm animals, chemicals
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity tomake a differencethrough public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career. As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/Parental Leave– Up to six weeks paid parental leaveMore information can be found athttps://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspxHolidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
New Year's Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
Mardi Gras,
Good Friday,
Memorial Day,
Independence Day,
Labor Day,
Veteran's Day,
Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the GovernorState employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.Retirement – State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video (https://lasersonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/YourRetirementSystem.mp4) to give you more detailed information about their system
Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others
01
To ensure compliance with the LDAF Nepotism Policy, do you have any immediate family members or relatives who are currently employed with the LDAF? Immediate family member is defined as children (blood, step, adopted), spouse, brother, sister, father, mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Relative includes immediate family members previously defined and also includes grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, uncle, aunt niece and nephew.
Yes
No
02
If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the name of your immediate family member and/or relatives currently employed by the LDAF. If you answered "no" to the above question, enter N/A.
03
Are you currently a classified employee of Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry serving with permanent status?
Yes
No
04
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license?
Yes
No
05
The incumbent of this position may drive a state-owned vehicle during working hours. Office of Risk Management prohibits drivers with three or more moving violations in a one-year period from operating a state-owned vehicle. o Based on this information; will you be able to operate a state-owned vehicle? (use when driving is a requirement of the position).
Yes
No
06
Rate your ability to accept direction based on our definition: The ability to accept and follow directions from those higher in the chain of command.
I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable accepting direction
I have limited experience or require assistance to accept direction
I can accept direction
I can accept directions and help others improve their ability to accept direction
07
Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below.
08
Rate your ability to act with ethics and integrity based on our definition: The ability to be consistent, honest, and a trustworthy steward of State resources.
I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable acting with ethics and integrity
I have limited experience or require assistance to act with ethics and integrity
I can act with ethics and integrity
I can act with ethics and integrity and help others improve their ability to act with ethics and integrity
09
Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below.
10
Rate your ability to communicate effectively based on our definition: The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas.
I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable communicating effectively
I have limited experience or require assistance to communicate effectively
I can communicate effectively
I can communicate effectively and help others improve their communication
11
Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below.
12
Do you possess twenty-four semester hours in agriculture, animal science, biology, botany, chemistry, entomology, agronomy, horticulture, plant pathology or zoology, or any combination of credits in these courses to equal twenty-four semester hours?
Yes
No
13
If you answered yes to the question above, please list your qualifying coursework for all 24 hours in the following format: AGRI 1001, Introduction to Agriculture, 3 hours, LSU. If you answered NO, enter N/A. NOTE: Failure to list all specific courses may result in your application being considered incomplete.
Required Question
AgencyState of LouisianaAddressFor agency contact information, please refer tothe supplemental information above.Louisiana State Civil Service, Louisiana, 70802Phone(866) 783-5462Websitehttp://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfmApplyPlease verify your email addressVerify Email
