Deputy Agricultural Commissioner



Job Details

Deputy Agricultural Commissioner
Employer

Ventura County

Salary

$70,433.17 - $98,616.11 Annually

Location

Ventura and may require travel throughout Ventura County and neighboring counties, FL

Job Type

Full-Time Regular

Job Number

0510AG-17AC (KF)

Department

Agricultural Department

Opening Date

12/20/2017

Closing Date

Continuous

Bargaining Unit

MGMT

Description



Under general direction of the Agricultural Commissioner and/or the Chief Deputy Agricultural Commissioner, plans and supervises the implementation of department programs in assigned specialized fields of agricultural inspection, coordinates and oversees field operations through a supervising agricultural inspector and performs related duties as assigned. This position is currently assigned to the Pesticide Use Enforcement program, but may be assigned to another division.

The ideal candidate will have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the role of the Agricultural Commissioner's Office as both an inspection and compliance entity, and a public service provider with multiple stakeholders; working knowledge of Civil Service Merit System and how to work effectively within it; superior supervision and management skills; excellent communication, inter-personal and collaborative skills; and the ability to learn and contribute effectively to a strategic systems improvement organizational process.  

Brochure: https://goo.gl/gqQ7Fk?

Incumbents receive management (MB-4) benefits and are not eligible for overtime compensation. Incumbents in this position may receive an educational incentive of either 2.5% for an Associate degree, 3.5% for a Bachelor degree or 5% for a post graduate degree that is not required to work in the classification.

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to the following:
  • Coordinates and manages the functions of a number of department inspection programs
  • Helps define, clarify and implement inspection policies and procedures
  • Supervises subordinates: trains and advises; clarifies, explains, and interprets agricultural laws and regulations; conducts performance evaluations; and, makes recommendations on disciplinary matters  
  • Conducts informative educational programs for the public and the agricultural community
  • Researches and interprets new agricultural requirements
  • Provides technical assistance in sensitive or complex lab and field inspection procedures
  • Prepares federal and state required program reports
  • Performs related duties as assigned

Typical Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXPERIENCE
 
Completion of a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural or Biological Sciences and five (5) years' experience in agricultural inspection. 

Two years of substantial experience in the enforcement of agricultural laws, agricultural pest control, or in the production, processing or marketing of agricultural commodities may be substituted for two (2) years of the education requirement.

Special Requirements:
  • Must possess a valid Deputy Agricultural Commissioners license issued by the State Department of Food and Agriculture
  • Must possess and maintain a valid California driver license.
 
DESIRED
  • Thorough knowledge and understanding of the role of the Agricultural Commissioner's Office as an inspection and compliance entity, and a public service provider with multiple stakeholders
  • Working knowledge of Civil Service Merit Systems and how to work effectively within them
  • Excellent supervision and management experience
  • Excellent communication, inter-personal and collaborative skills
  • Ability to learn and contribute effectively to a strategic systems improvement organizational process

Supplemental Information
Duties require significant public contact and local travel.

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE:  This recruitment is accepting applications on a continuous basis until sufficient applications to meet business needs are received, and may close at any time; therefore, it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.  First review of applications is anticipated to occur on or around December 29, 2017; subsequent reviews will be conducted bi-weekly until sufficient applications are received to meet business needs. 
 
To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs.  A paper application form can be obtained by calling (805) 654-5129.  Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009. 

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.  If interested, please click here for additional information.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire in order to determine eligibility.  A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE – qualifying:  All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING.  The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. 

APPLICATION SCREENING – qualifying:  Candidates' applications, resumes, or other required documentation will be evaluated on a comparative basis against pre-established criterion.  Those individuals whose materials best indicate possession of the stated requirements, will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process. 

NOTE:  If there is a high number of applicants who appear to meet minimum requirements, additional comparative screening will be conducted to determine which of the applicants will be selected for invitation to the oral/practical examination.  Applications will be evaluated and ranked according to criteria that most closely meets the needs of the department, so it is essential that applicants provide as much detail as possible and answer all parts of the application and supplemental questions.

ORAL EXAMINATION – 100%:  A job-related oral examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has determined to be essential for successful performance of the job.  Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list. 

If there are three (3) or fewer qualified applicants, an oral/practical examination may not be conducted.  Instead, a score of 70% is assigned to each application, and each applicant is placed on the eligible list.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies in the County of Ventura Agricultural Department.  There is currently one (1) regular vacancy.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION:  A thorough post offer, pre-employment background investigation which may include inquiry into past employment, education, criminal background information, and driving record is required for this position.

For further information about this recruitment, please contact Kelli Fitzgerald by e-mail at kelli.fitzgerald@ventura.org or by telephone at (805) 654-3611.

YOUR BENEFITS AS A COUNTY OF VENTURA EMPLOYEE
MANAGEMENT
 
 
In addition to your annual salary, the County of Ventura offers you an extensive benefits package, including:
 
FLEXIBLE BENEFITS PROGRAM: You allocate the County's non-taxable biweekly Credit Allowance of $397.00 among several benefit options. Regular part-time employees (40–59 hours per pay period) hired or promoted to Management on or after April 1, 2001, receive a Credit Allowance of $278.00.
 
     Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans for you and your dependents. Current premium amounts can be found on the Benefits website (http://ceo.countyofventura.org/benefits).
 
     Flexible Spending Accounts which increase your spending power by reimbursing you with pre-taxed dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses.
 
     Pre-tax Salary Reduction available if the costs for the benefit options you select exceed the County's biweekly contribution. This saves you taxes by lowering your taxable income.
 
     Cash added to your taxable biweekly pay, depending on the selections you have made.
 
EMPLOYEE HEALTH SERVICES CLINIC: Available to you for treatment of minor illness or injury.
 
MEDICAL MAINTENANCE EXAMINATION:  You may schedule a medical maintenance examination through Employee Health Services, at no cost to you, at the intervals stated:
 
 Once every 36 months if under age 40
 Once every 24 months if between ages 40-44
 Once every 12 months if over age 45
 
If you choose to have the examination through your personal physician, your department will reimburse you up to $1,200 for eligible expenses not covered by your medical plan.
 
ANNUAL LEAVE: 208 hours earned each year (in lieu of vacation/sick leave), increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service. After using a minimum of 80 hours of annual leave during a 12-month period, you may redeem a portion of the accrual annually.   Earned annual leave hours are prorated for permanent part-time employees.
 
MAXIMUM ANNUAL LEAVE ACCRUAL: The maximum number of hours that an employee can accumulate is 880 hours.
 
10 PAID HOLIDAYS: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and one floating holiday. Paid holiday time is prorated for permanent part-time employees.
 
TEXTBOOK AND TUITION: The County may reimburse you up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year ($1,000 for Confidential Clerical) for tuition and books for educational endeavors when courses have a reasonable potential for resulting in more effective County service. This benefit is prorated for part-time employees.
 
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS: The County will pay up to a maximum of $200 for membership fees to a job related professional organization.
 
EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: The County may provide up to a 5% incentive pay for educational attainment if not specifically required for your job. You may receive only one form of incentive pay or premium pay and will receive that which provides the greatest incentive.
 
MILEAGE REIMBURSEMENT: If required to use your personal vehicle on County business, you will receive mileage reimbursement at the standard rate established by the IRS for each mile driven. Some job classifications also receive an automobile allowance.
 
DEFERRED COMPENSATION:  You may elect to contribute to one or both of the County's deferred compensation plans (established under Internal Revenue Code Sections 401(k) and 457). If you participate in the County sponsored 401(k) plan, the County will match a part of your contribution up to 3% of your salary, on a pay period basis. You must be regularly scheduled to work at least 40 hours each pay period to be eligible to participate in the 401(k) plan. These plans enable you to build long-term savings while deferring current federal and state income taxes. In addition to pre-tax contributions, you are also able to make after-tax contributions through the Roth option available in the 457 plan.
 
RETIREMENT/SOCIAL SECURITY:  Both the County and you contribute to the Ventura County Employees' Retirement Association (VCERA) and Social Security. VCERA is a defined-benefit pension plan that provides a lifetime retirement after being vested and meeting eligibility requirements. Benefits vest after 5 years of service.  Employees hired to work less than 64 hours biweekly participate in a Safe Harbor retirement plan in lieu of VCERA and Social Security.
 
LONG TERM DISABILITY INSURANCE PLAN: The County provides you with a disability plan which provides benefits for up to 5 years for a disabling illness or injury, in an amount of 66 2/3% of base salary. Limitations and exceptions are outlined in the plan brochure. You must be regularly scheduled to work at least 40 hours biweekly to participate in this benefit.
 
OPTIONAL WAGE SUPPLEMENT PLAN: You may purchase short-term disability coverage in weekly benefit amounts of $45 or $80. You must be regularly scheduled to work 40 hours or more each pay period to participate, and must enroll within 90 days of employment.
 
LIFE INSURANCE: The County provides you with a fully paid $50,000 term life insurance policy. The policy contains an accidental death and dismemberment rider equal to the face value of the policy.
 
OPTIONAL GROUP LIFE INSURANCE: If you are a regular County employee with a regular work schedule of at least 40 hours per pay period you may purchase term life insurance coverage for either $10,000 or one times your annual base salary, without evidence of insurability, if you enroll within your first 90 days of eligibility. You may also be eligible to purchase term life insurance at group rates for two or three times your annual salary, subject to evidence of insurability. Dependents life insurance is also available for employees who purchase optional life insurance coverage.
 
DEATH BENEFIT: Your department will provide a $1,000 death benefit payable to your designated beneficiary in the event of your death if you are enrolled in the Flexible Benefits Program.
 
OTHER BENEFITS: The County also offers an Employee Assistance Program, as well as a Wellness Program, and a Work/Family Program which includes child care and elder care referrals.

 
This Summary is informational only, and cannot modify or affect your benefits in any way, nor shall you accrue any rights because of a statement or omission from this summary. Please refer to Plan Brochures and Management Resolution for details. These documents are available in your department.

 

Union Codes: MB3, MB4, MS, MT, MCC, MU

01
Do you currently possess, or are eligible to obtain and maintain a California driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No
02
Do you currently possess a valid Deputy Agricultural Commissioner license issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture?
  • Yes
  • No
03
Please indicate the highest level of education you have completed.
  • No high school diploma or GED
  • High school diploma or GED
  • 1 to less than 30 semester units of college course work
  • 30 to less than 60 semester units of college course work
  • 60 or more semester units of college course work, but no degree
  • 120 or more semester units of college course work, but no degree
  • Associate's degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
04
Please indicate below your years of experience in agricultural inspection.

NOTE: Full time is considered 40 hours per week; anything less than that must be prorated.

In order to receive credit for this experience, you MUST include each employer in the Work Experience section of your application, and all details for each employer must be included.
  • 0 to less than 1 year
  • 1 to less than 2 years
  • 2 to less than 3 years
  • 3 to less than 4 years
  • 4 to less than 5 years
  • 5 or more years
05
Describe your experience making presentations to boards, commissions, and the public. Please include the type of presentation and the audience size.
06
Describe your supervisory experience including any training completed related to planning, organizing and directing staff to meet specific goals by established deadlines.
07
Describe your management style such that it enables you to consistently deliver superior quality program and project outcomes.

* Required Question

Employer
Ventura County
Address
800 S. Victoria Avenue
LOC. #1970
Ventura, Florida, 93009
Phone
(805) 654-5129
Website
http://www.ventura.org/hr

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