AGRICULTURAL/WEIGHTS AND MEASURES INSPECTOR I - The County of Los Angeles : Job Details

AGRICULTURAL/WEIGHTS AND MEASURES INSPECTOR I

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AGRICULTURAL/WEIGHTS AND MEASURES INSPECTOR I

Salary

$62,748.00 - $80,083.68 Annually

Location

Los Angeles County, CA

Job Type

Full time

Job Number

V0007F

Department

AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

Opening Date

04/12/2021

• Description

• Benefits

• Questions

Position/Program Information

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER/WEIGHTS AND MEASURES

FILING DATES:April 15, 2021 at 8:00 a.m. (PST) - Until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice.

EXAM NUMBER:V0007F

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:Open Competitive Job Opportunity

JOB TYPE:Permanent

DEFINITION:

Under direct supervision, performs inspections and enforcement activities related to Federal, State and local agricultural and/or weights and measures laws, regulations, ordinances, and policies for consumer and agricultural industry protection.

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:

Positions allocable to this class perform inspection and enforcement activities under direct supervision and may assist higher level inspectors with more difficult or complex tasks. Incumbents have completed initial agricultural and weights and measures inspection cross training at an associate level, and are expected to exercise a knowledge of Federal, State and local laws, regulations and ordinances regulating the use of pesticides, quarantine, standardization, scales, meters and the labeling and packaging of consumer products. All positions must have knowledge of field sampling techniques, interpersonal skills including negotiation and persuasion, the ability to communicate applicable codes and explain violations, and basic investigative and interviewing skills. Incumbents are required to demonstrate and exercise a progressively increasing knowledge of inspection techniques and functions and may be required to rotate through any of the various departmental assignments prior to completion of a one-year probationary period. Positions in this class perform tasks such as bending, stooping, and lifting objects over 25 pounds in the performance of their duties.

Essential Job Functions

Inspects orchards, farms, nurseries, mills, apiaries, and plant shipments for agricultural pests and diseases and ensures adequate plant pest quarantine measures are taken.

Monitors pesticide use by commercial applicators including types of pesticides used and application techniques.

Inspects and enforces agricultural product standards for fruits, vegetables, and eggs.

Inspection of produce cases, nursery stock, commodities, and other packaged goods weighing 25 lbs or more.

Inspects, tests, seals or condemns weighing and measuring devices used in commercial transactions.

Inspects shipments for compliance with labeling, weighing and measuring codes, issues inspection certificates.

Performs test purchases or sales to verify accurate weight or measure.

Gathers and compiles information and prepares reports, issues citations or violations and collects appropriate fees.

Maintains records and prepares reports on inspections, pest control activities and related matters.

Uses a variety of hand-held or other equipment such as, but not limited to, refractometers, scales, graduated measures, hydrometers and laptop or tablet computers.

Receives and provides training in the safe and effective use of various tools and equipment utilized in any inspection, investigation or enforcement activities that may be assigned.

Uses a variety of mathematical formulae, including algebra.

Act as a witness in administrative, criminal and civil cases; may respond to inquiries and complaints from other agencies and the public.

Requirements

SELECTION REQUIREMENTS:

OPTION I: A Bachelor's degree from an accredited* college or university with specialization in one or more appropriate disciplines in agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics, including the completion of at least one college level course in the field of Botany or Entomology**-AND-One year of full-time work experience performing agricultural or weights and measures inspection functions for a public jurisdiction.*** Any remaining required Botany or Entomology course must be completed within one year from the time of appointment.****

OPTION II:A Bachelor's degree from an accredited* college or university with specialization in any discipline with a minimum of 30 semester units, or equivalent, in one or any combination of the following disciplines: agricultural science, biological science, chemical science, physical science, mathematics, and/or statistics**-AND-One year of full-time work experience performing agricultural or weights and measures inspections for a public jurisdiction***.

OPTION III: One year of full-time work experience*** at the level of an Associate Agricultural/Weights & Measures Inspector***** in the service of the County of Los Angeles-AND-The successful completion of at least one college level course in the field of Botany or Entomology**. Any remaining required Botany or Entomology course must be completed within one year from the time of appointment.****

LICENSE:

One valid State of California weights & measures license in either Weight Verification or Measurement Verification -AND- one agricultural license in Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation license. A valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.

LICENSE INFORMATION: All successful applicants for this position that requires driving must obtain and present a copy of his/her driving record from the California State Department of Motor Vehicles before final appointment.Applicants should not present a copy of their driving history until asked to do so by the hiring department.The County will make an individualized assessment of whether an applicant's driving history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job. License must not be currently suspended, restricted, or revoked.

PHYSICAL CLASS IV - ARDUOUS: Involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combines with bending twisting, or working on irregular surfaces; and occasionally requires extraordinary physical activity.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

*Accredited colleges and universities include all four-year colleges and universities that meet the accreditation guidelines indicated on the bulletin.

**In order to receive credit for the required degree/coursework, certification and/or license, you must include a legible copy of the official diploma, official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization, and/or a legible copy of the official certificate and/or license at the time of filing or within 15 calendar days from the date of application. Please submit documentation [email protected] indicate yourname, the exam name (AWM Inspector I), and exam number (V0007F).

***Part-time experience will be considered based on pro-ration.

****Successful completion of the probationary period includes completion of the remaining required course work in the field of Botany-OR-Entomology. Failure to provide successful completion of the required course work prior to the end of the probationary period will result in being released from the position of Agricultural/Weights and Measures Inspector I.

NO OUT-OF-CLASS EXPERIENCE WILL BE ACCEPTED.

Additional Information

EXAMINATION CONTENT:

This examination will consist of a multiple choice test, weighted 100%, covering Customer Focus, Learning Potential, Responsibility, Working with Information, Verbal Ability, and Professional/Technical Expertise.

Applicants must meet the Selection Requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the multiple choice test in order to be placed on the eligible register.

THE WRITTEN TEST IS NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

NOTE:All notifications including invitation letters will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application. It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please [email protected], i [email protected] ([email protected]) ,[email protected] , [email protected] , and [email protected] to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.

TEST PREPARATION

Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. While the guides will help in preparing for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.

• An interactive, Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources websites at htt://hr.lacounty.gov/. Please click on Find a Job and then Job Search Toolkit. Test Preparation information is located under the Employment Test Assistance section.

• Additional practice tests are available at

You can also access test preparation for the computerized portion of the test by going to While the guides will help in preparing for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.

How to Apply

We ask that you apply through the “Apply” link at the top of the job posting (green button). Your application status may also be tracked by signing into your Government Jobs profile at the following web address: .

Please make sure you put in the time and effort when filling out your application and supplemental questions completely. The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet theRequirements to Qualifyas listed on this bulletin. Provide any relevant job experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. If your application is incomplete, it will be rejected.

Please note that all information included in the application material is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsificationof any information may result indisqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from Class Specification and minimum requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements.Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

Applications will be processed on an as-received basis and promulgated to the list of eligible candidates accordingly.

FINGERPRINTING AND SECURITY CLEARANCE:

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except for a very limited number of positions, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offenses(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

VACANCY INFORMATION:

The list of successful candidates created from this exam will be used to fill vacancies throughout the department of Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures as they occur.

AVAILABLE SHIFT:

Appointees will be required to work any shift, including evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.

SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

NO SHARING USER ID AND PASSWORD

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

ADA Coordinator Phone:(626) ###-####

Teletype Phone:(626) ###-####

California Relay Services:(800) ###-####

Department Contact Name: Crisselle Cortes

Department Contact Phone:(626) ###-####

Department Contact Email: [email protected] ([email protected])

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.

Your Responsibilities:

1.Completing Your Application:

a. Before submission of the application, it is your responsibility to ensure that all information provided is correct and complete on the application. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

b. List each payroll title separately for each job. Do not group your experience. Specify the beginning and ending dates for each job. If you are a Los Angeles County employee and have held multiple positions, do NOT list all of your time with the County under your present payroll title.

c. Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

d. To receive credit, include required documents (e.g., copy of your diploma, transcript, certificate, or license) as directed on the job posting. International degrees in a foreign language must be translated to English and evaluated for equivalency to U.S. standards. Refer to the job posting for specific deadlines for supporting documentation.

2.Requirements on Job Posting:

a. Your application will only be accepted if it clearly shows you meet the requirements. The information you give will determine your eligibility and is subject to verification at any time.

b. You must be at least 16 years of age at the time of appointment unless other age limits are stated on the job posting. The Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) of 1967, as amended, prohibits discrimination on the basis of age for any individual age 40 or older.

c. Experience is evaluated on the basis of a verifiable 40- hour week, unless specified otherwise. Prorated part-time experience may be acceptable.

3.Application Deadline: All job applications must be completed and submitted before the closing time on the last day of the filing period as indicated on the job posting unless other instructions are provided. Job postings with an open continuous filing period are subject to closure without prior notice. It is to your advantage to file your application early and not wait until the last allowable date and time as you will not be able to apply once the filing period has closed.

4.Change of Name or Address: To change personal information such as your name or address, log into your profile onwww.governmentjobs.comand make the necessary change. This can be done at any time.

5.Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Policy:

a. It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. b. If you are an individual requesting reasonable accommodation(s) in the examination process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. The provision of accommodation(s) may be subject to verification, consistent with state and federal law. All accommodation-related information will remain confidential.

Disclaimer: The County of Los Angeles is not responsible or in any way liable for any computer hardware or software malfunction that may affect the employment application or the application selection process.

You assume all responsibility and risk for the use of this system and the Internet generally. This system and the information provided on it are provided on an as is and as available basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. No advice or information given by the County of Los Angeles or its respective employees shall modify the foregoing or create any warranty.

The County of Los Angeles expressly disclaims any warranty that the information on this system or on the Internet generally will be uninterruptible or error free or that any information, software or other material accessible from the system is free of viruses or other harmful components. You shall have no recourse against the County of Los Angeles as the system provider for any alleged or actual infringement of any proprietary rights a user may have in anything posted or retrieved on our system.

The County of Los Angeles shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, punitive, incidental, special or consequential damages arising out of or in any way connected with the use of this system or with the delay or inability to use it (or any linked sites), or for any information obtained through this system, or otherwise arising out of the use of this system, the Internet generally or on any other basis.

NOTE: Your application is submitted using Secure Encryption to ensure the privacy of all information you transmit over the Internet.

By accepting the Use Disclaimer set forth herein, you agree to all of the above terms and further agree to use this Online Job Employment Application System only for the submission of bona fide employment applications to the County of Los Angeles. Any other use of this Online Job Employment Application System, including without limitation any copying, downloading, translating, decompiling, or reverse engineering of the system, data, or related software, shall be a violation of the Use Disclaimer.

Test Preparation: Study Guides and other resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. An interactive system for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at Additional resources may be listed on the job posting.

Veteran's Credit: In all open competitive examinations, a veteran's credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examinations will be added to the final passing grade of an honorably discharged veteran who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under any of the following conditions: During a declared war; -or- During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; -or- For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; -or- During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990 through January 2, 1992; -or- For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on August 31, 2010 the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; -or- In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal or expeditionary medal has been authorized and awarded. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti qualifies for credit.

A campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980 (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty.

This also applies to the spouse of such person who, while engaged in such service was wounded, disabled or crippled and thereby permanently prevented from engaging in any remunerative occupation, and also to the widow or widower of any such person who died or was killed while in such service. A DD214, Certificate of Discharge or Separation from Active Duty, or other official documents issued by the branch of service are required as verification of eligibility for Veterans preference. Applicants must submit the documentation for each open competitive exam to qualify for veteran's credit. More information available at:

Accreditation Information: Accredited institutions are those listed in the publications of regional, national or international accrediting agencies that are accepted by the Department of Human Resources. Publications such as American Universities and Colleges and International Handbook of Universities are acceptable references. Also acceptable, if appropriate, are degrees that have been evaluated and deemed to be equivalent to degrees from United States accredited institutions by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). More information is available at: E_Resource_Guide.pdf (

Background Check: The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about a conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, including, but not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about a conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed.

Career Planning: Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at

Benefit Information: Depending on the position, the successful candidate will enroll in a contributory defined benefit pension plan if the candidate is a “new member” of the County's defined benefit plan (LACERA) on or after January 1, 2013 (first employed by the County on or after December 1, 2012) – unless she or he established reciprocity with another public retirement system in which she or he was a member before January 1, 2013. It should be noted that County employees do not pay into Social Security, but do pay the Medical Hospital Insurance Tax portion of Social Security at a rate of 1.45%. The Los Angeles County Employees Retirement Association (LACERA) has reciprocal agreements with several public retirement systems in California.

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: All positions are open to qualified men and women. Pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, persons with disabilities who believe they need reasonable accommodation, or help in order to apply for a position, may contact the ADA/Personnel Services for Disabled Persons Coordinator. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. The County will attempt to meet reasonable accommodation requests whenever possible.

Equal Employment Opportunity: It is the policy of the County of Los Angeles to provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified persons, regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. All positions are open to qualified men and women pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. The County will comply with all of its obligations under State and Federal laws regarding the provision of reasonable accommodations to applicants.

Los Angeles County Child Support Compliance Program: In an effort to improve compliance with court ordered child, family and spousal support obligations, certain employment and identification information (i.e., name, address, Social Security number and date of hire) is regularly reported to the State Directory of New Hires which may assist in locating persons who owe these obligations. Family Code Section 17512 permits under certain circumstances for additional employment and identifying information to be requested. Applicants will not be disqualified from employment based on this information.

Social Security Act of 2004: Section 419 (c) of Public Law 108-203, the Social Security Protection Act of 2004, requires State and local government employers to disclose the effect of the Windfall Elimination Provision and the Government Pension Offset Provision to employees hired on or after January 1, 2005, in jobs not covered by Social Security. The County of Los Angeles does not participate in the Social Security System. All newly hired County of Los Angeles employees must sign a statement (Form SSA-1945) prior to the start of employment indicating that they are aware of a possible reduction in their future Social Security benefit entitlement. For more information on Social Security and about each provision, you may visit the websitewww.socialsecurity.gov, or call toll free 1-800-### ####. Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing may call the TTY number 1-800-###-#### or contact a local Social Security office.

Employment Eligibility Information: Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States. Immigration law provides that all persons hired after November 6, 1986, are required to present original documents to the County, within three (3) business days of hiring, which show satisfactory proof of 1) identity and 2) U.S. employment eligibility.

The California Fair Employment and Housing Act(Part 2.8 commencing with Section 12900 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code) the Regulations of the Fair Employment and Housing Commission (California Code of Regulations, Title 2, Division 4, Sections 7285.0 through 8504) and other applicable laws prohibit employment discrimination based on an applicant's protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, age, pregnancy, childbirth, and other characteristics.

COVID-19 VACCINATION: Some County workforce members may be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Successful candidates for those positions/classifications may be required to submit proof of vaccination against COVID-19 or request an exemption for qualifying medical or religious reasons during the onboarding process. Candidates should not present proof of vaccination until instructed to do so by the hiring department.

Updated February 2024

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01

Please select which of the following college course(s) you have successfully completed.

• Botany

• Entomology

• None

02

Please select which of the following valid State of California Weights and Measures licenses you possess.

• Weight Verification

• Measurement Verification

• None

03

Please select the valid State of California Agricultural license you possess.

• Pest Prevention and Plant Regulation

• None

04

I understand that a valid California Class C Driver License is required to perform job-related essential functions.

• Yes

05

I understand that in order to receive credit for any college course work or for completion of a training program or seminar program, I must include a legible copy of the official college or university degree -AND- transcripts, official license, or official certificate of completion, respectively, with my application or within 15 calendar days of filing.

• Yes

06

I understand that utilizing VERBIAGE from the Class Specification and Selection Requirements serving as your description of duties WILL NOT be sufficient to demonstrate that you met the requirements. Doing so may result in an INCOMPLETE APPLICATION and you may be DISQUALIFIED.

• Yes

07

I understand that comments such as see resume on any part of the application will not be considered a response. Please note that all information is subject to verification at any time during the examination and hiring process. Making false statements on the application and supplemental questionnaire may cause you to be disqualified from this examination.

• Yes

08

It is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected] to your email address and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.

• I understand the above information and instructions.

Required Question

Agency

County of Los Angeles

Address

Los Angeles, California, 90010

Website

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