Salary: $17.38 – $23.06 Hourly
Location: Yakima County – Yakima, WA
Job Type: Part Time – Non-Permanent
Job Number: 2023-05401
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Division: Pesticide Management – Registration & Licensing
Opening Date: 05/02/2023
Closing Date: Continuous

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad. The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Pesticide Management Division within the Department of Agriculture protects the public interest, health, and welfare of the people of the State of Washington by providing cost efficient and effective services for the regulation of pesticides, dairy nutrient management, and fertilizers. The Licensing and Recertification Program plays an important role in assuring that pesticide applicators, dealer managers, consultants, and pest inspectors are capable of applying, storing, and disposing of pesticides safely. We do this by administering pesticide exams, reviewing exam results, awarding licenses, and maintaining quality courses. This program is responsible for the communication of requirements and restrictions to prospective and existing licensees.

The Customer Service Specialist position provides assistance to the licensing and recertification staff and customers. You will provide agency interpretation of pesticide licensing and recertification-related laws, rules, and policies, and respond to customer inquiries. If you enjoy working with customers of all diversities and have the ability to communicate bilingually then this position would be great for you!

Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for a part-time non-permanent Bilingual Customer Service Specialist 2 position within the Pesticide Management Division. This position is located in Yakima, Washington. This is a non-represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $ 17.38 – $ 22.50 hourly. 

If a position is designated as requiring dual language skills, incumbents will also receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.

Duties
Include, but not limited to:

  • Conducts pesticide licensing exam sessions based on the Program’s established schedule, in coordination with other program needs, and as needed.
  • Administers proper exams based on type of pest control performed by applicant.
  • Explains and interprets licensing regulations and policies to potential and existing licensees to assist in their understanding of pesticide law.
  • Responds to customer questions or issues with certification and understanding of licensing requirements.
  • Gives oral instructions in English and Spanish (when necessary) before and during each exam session.
  • Monitors examinees to ensure compliance with testing policies.
  • Grades exams and determines whether applicant qualifies for a license based on results and compliance with all application requirements.
  • Prepares, reviews, and processes new fiscal documents and reports associated with licensure.
  • Compiles, alphabetizes, and reviews applications for completeness, accuracy, and compliance with rules.
  • Drafts correspondence and emails regarding licensing, as necessary, to complete applications process.
  • Uses complex spreadsheets and database software to develop and maintain records.
  • Establishes and saves the electronic files in appropriate filing system.
  • Sends the documents to Olympia per fiscal department protocol within the time allowed by rules established by the Office of Financial Management.
  • Explains and interprets complex regulations, policies, forms, and other informational material to the regulated community and general public.
  • Guides customers through forms, fact sheets, publications and regulations found on the website and associated web tools and other resources.
  • Assists clients with finding applicable legal citations related to program activities and services.
  • Downloads and uploads recertification course and attendance files using the barcoding system.

Qualifications
Required:

  • High School Diploma or equivalent.
  • Two (2) years’ experience providing assistance to customers regarding inquiries, complaints, or problems.
  • Bilingual in Spanish.
  • Must be able to use the computer, telephone, and other office equipment.
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate well in writing and verbally.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced team environment.
  • Ability to alphabetize large volumes of records correctly and efficiently.
  • Ability to multi-task multiple duties in a fast paced work environment.
  • Ability to follow highly specific directions and perform detailed data entry efficiently and with great accuracy.
  • Demonstrate ability to research rules and regulations and the ability to assist customers with understanding these regulations verbally and in writing using plain talk.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities will make your application more competitive:      

  • An Associate’s degree and two (2) years’ experience working with customers regarding inquiries, complaints, or problems.
  • Experience working with software and database data entry.
  • Excellent customer service skills and ability to work cooperatively and in an organized manner in a fast-paced team environment.
  • Experience processing large amounts of complex paperwork with complex payments, high volumes of data entry, and familiarity with processing professional licenses is strongly preferred.
  • Knowledge of pesticide/SPI licensing regulatory requirements is helpful with the ability to effectively communicate legal requirements to customers verbally and in writing in English and Spanish.
  • Experience proctoring exams and analyzing applications is also useful.

Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.

How to apply 
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

· Current resume detailing experience and education

· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

· Three professional references 

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4009062/bilingual-customer-service-specialist-css2-part-time

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