Fertilizer Tonnage and Compliance Specialist - In Training description image

 

Fertilizer Tonnage and Compliance Specialist – In Training

Salary: $56,880.00 – $82,512.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Full Time –  Permanent
Job Number: 2024-07825
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Division: Pesticide Management – Registration & Licensing
Opening Date: 07/10/2024
Category: Environmental Services / Investigative / Agriculture / Natural Resources / Health Sciences / Sciences / Green-Collar/Environmental

 

Website

Position Description & Apply

 

 
 
Fertilizer Tonnage and Compliance Specialist - In Training description image
 
 

Description

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 Agricultural Environmental Services Division (AESD) protects the agricultural viability, human and environmental health, and natural resources of the people of the State of Washington. The work in this division is statewide and is split between regulatory programs and technical assistance in pesticides, dairy nutrient management, cannabis/hemp, and fertilizers, and environmental services focused on science policy, equity and environmental justice, aquaculture and rural policy, commodity commissions, soil health, water quality and quantity, pesticide stewardship and education, and land use. The Registration Program accomplishes this by registering fertilizers and pesticides for distribution within Washington State. This program maintains license records for bulk fertilizer manufacturing and sales facilities, sampling fertilizer products, and monitors compliance with its secondary containment rules. 

The Fertilizer Tonnage and Compliance Specialist – In Training enforces State Fertilizer Laws and Rules, requiring advanced in-depth knowledge to ensure compliance with fertilizer products registration, secondary containments rules, bulk fertilizer distribution licenses, and inspection fees. This position may be filled as a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1  – In Training or a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1  depending on qualifications. 

This position is approved to work from one of the AESD regional offices located in Moses Lake, Pasco, Yakima, East Wenatchee or a home duty station within Washington. Positions working from a location in Western Washington are non-represented, and positions working from a location in Eastern Washington are represented by the Washington Public Employees Association. 

This is an in-training opportunity and may be hired as Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1 (PRS1) or Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 2 (PRS2), depending on qualifications.


What is an in-training plan?  The in-training is intended to provide an opportunity for an individual to gain the required experience on the job as part of a formal “in-training” plan. Upon successful completion of an in-training program, the incumbent will move up to the next job classification that is listed on the in-training plan if applicable.  

 

If hired at the Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1 level, the incumbent will be required to successfully complete the training plan to reach the goal class of Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 2 . 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.


 

Duties

Include, but not limited to: 

  • Regulate the fertilizer industry by inspecting/auditing distribution and manufacturing facilities for compliance with RCW 15.54 and WAC 16-201.
  • Review fertilizer labeling and shipping documents in the channels of trade and take appropriate compliance actions for violations. 
  • Conduct routine and complex inspections and collect samples to ensure they meet guarantees and requirements.
  • Accurately document all inspection data in the fertilizer database application. 
  • Take final compliance actions such as stop sale, notice of correction, or notice of intent for any violation of fertilizer laws and rules. 
  • Inspect bulk fertilizer storage facilities and secondary containment, inspect retail fertilizer distribution facilities and conduct investigations related to product analysis, fertilizer storage, unregistered fertilizers and any other use or distribution in the state for compliance with Fertilizer Laws and Rules. 
  • Trains lower-level employees and conducts trainings tours for all WSDA staff and stakeholders when requested. 
  • Designated as the Fertilizer Compliance Supervisor in his absence. 
  • Review and validate the authenticity of complex Fertilizer Inspection Fee Reports. 
  • Review applications for bulk fertilizer licenses for accuracy. 
  • Evaluates fertilizer distributor’s facilities to determine compliance risk. 
  • Gather, review and analyze product sample information and facility and Fertilizer Inspection Fee Report data to determine the need for an investigation and/or audits. 
  • Conduct professional and thorough investigations and inspections. 
  • Write clear, comprehensive, and cohesive investigation reports in a timely manner. 
  • Provide detailed reports on the company’s compliance with laws and Rules to division case review officer for possible corrective action.

 

 

 

Qualifications


Who should apply?

Professionals with:

Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1  Requirements:
(Salary range: $4,740- $6,384 per month):

  • Associate’s degree including at least 25 semester or 40 quarter hours in a natural or physical science, AND four (4) years of professional experience in a natural resource, environmental or health regulator agency, in the pest management field or fertilizer industry.
OR

  • Bachelor’s Degree including 25 semester or 40 quarter hours in a natural or physical science; AND two (2) years of professional experience in a natural resource, environmental or health regulatory agency, in the pest management field, or in the feed or fertilizer industry.
Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 2  Requirements:
(Salary range: $5,117- $6,876 per month):

  • A bachelor’s degree which must include at least 25 semester or 40 quarter hours in a natural or physical science, AND four (4) years of professional-level experience in a natural resource, environmental or health regulatory agency, or in the feed, fertilizer or pest management industry which includes two years equal to a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1.
OR

  • Master’s degree in one of the above fields and two years of professional-level experience as required above which includes one year equal to a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1.
OR

  • Ph.D. in the above field will substitute for one-year professional experience as required above and one year as a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist.
 
OR

  • Two years of experience as a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 1.

Incumbents must have:
  • Valid and unrestricted driver’s license.

 

 

 

Supplemental Information

 

Employee Benefits

  • A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
  • WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
  • 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
  • All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
  • Commute Trip Reduction Program. 

 

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.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 

 

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
 
Applications with comments “see attachments” will be considered incomplete.
  

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

 

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state’s on-line recruitment system.

 

Equity at WSDA  

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

 

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

 
Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
 
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
   
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
    

Veteran’s Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here. 

 

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

 

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