Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Inspection Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established November 2, 1961

Scope

This series specification describes the Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Inspection classes within the Department of Food and Agriculture. Incumbents in these classes perform or supervise inspection, sampling, and investigative work involved in the enforcement of Federal and State laws and regulations relating to commercial feed, medicated feed, fertilizing materials, agricultural minerals, soil amendments, auxiliary soil and plant substances, and livestock drugs; their manufacture, labeling, and use. Incumbents collect samples for analyses; assist in or conduct investigations and respond to complaints involving animal health problems related to feed and livestock drug use of illegal drug and chemical residues reported by USDA and FDA, and of crop damage resulting from fertilizing materials; prepare evidence or proper documents for legal action; consult with farmers, manufacturers, dealers, animal and plant nutritionists, toxicologists, soil scientists, and veterinarians; coordinate and cooperate with Federal, State agencies, and university personnel involved in similar scientific areas; make presentations; prepare correspondence and reports; make special studies and investigations as assigned; and do other related work.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Factors that affect the level of inspection positions are: level, variety, and complexity of work assigned; independence of action; degree of training and qualifications to perform the full range of duties; degree or responsibility; supervision received and exercised; and public contact.

The level of supervisory positions are determined by size, complexity, and volume of operations.

Definition of Levels

Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Inspector

This is the entry and journey level of this series. As a trainee, incumbents work under supervision performing a variety of tasks to become proficient in the inspection, sampling, and investigations of feed and feed additives, fertilizing materials, and livestock drugs; and do other related work.

As a journeyperson, incumbent has independent responsibility for complex field inspection, sampling, and investigative duties and may also assist in training lower level inspectors; and does other related work.

Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Supervisor

This is the full supervisory level of the series. Under direction, incumbents have geographic responsibility for a large State inspection and sampling program; and do other related work.

Program Specialist, Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs

Under direction in a headquarters assignment to serve as the statewide program technical expert and development specialist for the program unit. Incumbent evaluates State/Federal program effectiveness and develops needed changes in methods and procedures; develops and implements statewide procedures and policies; reviews, supervises, and evaluates licensing, registration, and violation functions; coordinates the preparation of evidence and documents for legal action on violations; develops and supervises preparation of manuals and training of staff; and does other related work.

In addition, incumbent assists the Unit Chief with administrative duties, such as: assists in the formulation of rules, regulations, and program plans; prepares preliminary budget requirements and control expenditures; prepares comprehensive reports and correspondence; conducts and/or attends meetings with industry groups, county agricultural commissioners, or other agencies involved in the inspection, certification, and enforcement of related State and Federal standards; acts for the Unit Chief as assigned; and does other related work.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Possession of a valid driver license of the appropriate class issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the license prior to appointment.

Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Inspector

Either I

Experience: Six months of experience performing the duties of an Agricultural Services Technician II, Range B, in California state service. and

Education: Equivalent to completion of nine semester units of college-level course work in job-related sciences. (Applicants who are enrolled for the minimum appropriate college courses required may be admitted to the examination, but must show proof of completion before they will be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Two years of experience in the manufacture, inspection, sampling, processing, or distribution of commercial feeds, fertilizing materials, or livestock drugs. and

Education: Equivalent to completion of six semester units of college-level course work in chemistry.

Or III

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college with major work in plant or animal sciences and six semester units of chemistry may be substituted for the required experience. (Registration as a senior in a recognized college will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointments.)

Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Supervisor

Either I

One year of experience in California state service performing duties equivalent to Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Inspector, Range B.

(Applicants who are within six months of meeting the minimum qualifications will be admitted to the examination but must have completed the required experience in the class before being considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Experience: Four years of progressively responsible experience in the manufacture, inspection, sampling, processing, or distribution of commercial feeds, fertilizing materials, or livestock drugs, two years of which must have been in a supervisory capacity. (Experience in California state service applied toward meeting this requirement must have been in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Inspector, Range B.) and

Education: Equivalent to completion of 12 semester units in chemistry.

(Education equivalent to graduation from college with major work in plant or animal sciences and 12 semester units of chemistry may be substituted for two years of the nonsupervisory experience.)

Program Specialist, Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs

Either I

1. One year of experience in California state service performing duties equivalent to Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Supervisor. or

2. Two years of experience in California state service performing duties equivalent to Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Specialist, Range B.

Or II

Experience: Five years of progressively responsible supervising or administrative experience in the manufacture, inspection, sampling, processing, or distribution of commercial feeds, fertilizing materials, or livestock drugs. (Experience in California state service applied toward meeting this requirement must have been in a class with a level of responsibility equivalent to that of a Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Inspector, Range B.) and

Education: Equivalent to completion of 12 semester units in chemistry.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Levels:

Knowledge of: Animal and plant nutrition, animal health, soil science, fertilizing materials, and usage for commercial fertilizer, agricultural minerals, soil amendments, and auxiliary soil and plant substances; chemistry involved in analysis procedures involving feed, livestock drugs, and fertilizing materials; methods and materials used in the manufacture and distribution of commercial feed and livestock drugs and fertilizing materials; principles of field inspection, sampling, and monitoring of feed, fertilizer, and livestock drugs.

Ability to: Interpret and apply Federal and State laws and regulations relating to feed, fertilizer, and livestock drugs; determine the necessity for taking samples for laboratory analyses; analyze situations accurately and take an effective course of action; prepare clear and concise reports; communicate effectively; establish and maintain cooperative relations with those contacted in the course of work.

Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Supervisor

Knowledge of: All of the above, and Federal and State laws and regulations relating to feed, fertilizer, and livestock drug manufacture, sale, and use; literature in the field of feed, fertilizer, and livestock drugs and sources of research information; basic chemistry including organic as well as inorganic principles; rules of evidence and the laws of arrest; principles of effective supervision and training; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal opportunity in hiring and employee development and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Ability to: All of the above, and direct and evaluate the work of others and train subordinates in inspection, sampling, and investigations of feed, fertilizer, and livestock drugs; interpret inspection reports and related laboratory findings; effectively promote equal opportunity in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.

Program Specialist, Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs

Knowledge of: All of the above, and principles of personnel management, budgeting, and public administration.

Ability to: All of the above, and plan, organize, and direct feed, fertilizer, and livestock drug activities throughout the State and draft and revise rules, regulations, and instructions.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Levels:

Objectivity; dependability; diplomacy; tact; accuracy; keenness of observation and perceptiveness; willingness to follow safety precautions and work irregular hours at various locations throughout the State; and willingness to travel.

Class History