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 Compliance Area Supervisor manages compliance activities and supervises field staff for the Division’s Eastern Washington’s compliance regional area. This position assists with the coordination of pesticide compliance activities in a manner that maintains good relations with stakeholders and the general public. This position directly supports the programs mission by assuring the efficiency, effectiveness, and appropriate manner of a balanced approach to enforcement of pesticide laws and rules. The Area Supervisor plans, reviews, and provides input on issues that may have program or division wide impacts. This position may report to any existing WSDA compliance eastern Washington office location or Home Duty station, depending on candidate selected.

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:   

• Supervises, trains and mentors field staff to assure that all staff are meeting program expectations.
• Conducts employee evaluations, expectations, and training action plans as scheduled or necessary.
• Monitors and assists employees with time, leave, vacations, and schedules.
• Conducts employee recruitment, hiring, coaching, counseling, corrective action, and termination actions as required.
• Conducts or assists with case investigations, including all duties of a Pesticide Investigator as necessary.
• Independently conducts or co-leads investigations that have state-wide implications or that may involve actions in civil court.
• Coordinates, assigns, and oversees investigations and inspections within assigned Area (region).
• Reviews staff’s investigations, and inspections for accuracy and completeness.
• Determines appropriate action, if any, except: (1) those that meet the criteria for legal review, and (2) cases / inspections that will be forwarded to EPA.
• Coordinates with other Area Managers in other regional areas on:
  • EPA inspection assignments to ensure that all EPA inspections are completed in a timely manner, according to the cooperative agreement.
  • Investigations that cross assigned regional areas.
  • Instances of staffing shortages in a particular regional area.
• Identifies and confers with other agencies that may have over-lapping jurisdiction.
• Assists and coordinates investigation and inspection activities with local, other state, and federal agencies.
• Conducts research, plans and reviews work on issues that have program or division-wide impact.
• Advises higher level administrative staff on tactical strategies in handling and responding to various issues of concern that have widespread impact.

Professionals with: 

• Bachelor’s degree including 25 semester or 40 quarter hours in a natural or physical science. 
• Six (6) years of professional experience in a natural resource, agricultural, environmental or health regulatory agency, or pest management field industry which includes two (2) years must be equivalent to Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 2.

• Ten (10) years of total experience in a natural resource, agricultural, environmental or health regulatory agency, or in the fertilizer, pesticide, or pest management field industry, which includes two years equivalent to a Pesticide Regulatory Specialist 2.

• Two (2) years of experience leading or supervising within a natural resource, agricultural, environmental or health regulatory position, in the pest management field, or in the pesticide or fertilizer industry.
• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License to utilize state vehicles.

• WSDA Public Operator / Consultant Pesticide License with applicable endorsements.
• EPA FIFRA Inspector Credentials.
• DES WA State Investigator training CORE and ADVANCED.
• 40 hour Hazardous Materials Training (HAZ MAT) certification with annual 8 hour Refresher course.
• Medical evaluation, training, and fit testing for respirator use.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will make a candidate highly desirable: 

• A Bachelor’s degree including 25 semester or 40 quarter hours in a natural or physical science
• Advanced Degree in Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environmental Sciences or related field.
• Two years of experience supervising professionals within a natural resource, agricultural, environmental or health regulatory position, in the pest management field, or in the pesticide or fertilizer industry.
• Experience working for a regulatory agency and knowledge of federal, state and local laws and rules governing pesticide and fertilizer products, use, distribution and storage.
• Excellent people and negotiating skills
• Well-developed facilitation skills and the ability to effectively work in a diverse and sensitive political environment.
• Knowledge and implementation of LEAN principles.
• Must have demonstrated history of strong leadership and facilitation skills.
• Must be familiar with and capable of operating computers to use word processing, spreadsheet, e-mail programs and databases.

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.

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.