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Position Number: 22088363
County: Clay; Craighead; Greene; Mississippi; Poinsett
Posting End Date: Open Until Filled
Anticipated Starting Salary: $39,770
Natural Resources
Hiring Authority
Extra-Help Program Technician Feral Hog Program
10421 W. Markham Street
Little Rock, AR 72205
Phone: 870/253-3721
Email: j.p.fairhead@agriculture.arkansas.gov
As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.
Position Information
Class Code: X146C
Grade: GS06
FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT
Salary Range: $36,155.00 – $52,425.00
Summary
The Agriculture (Agri) Inspector III is responsible for surveying, monitoring, inspecting, investigating, collecting samples and other activities as described below for one or more of the divisions of the Arkansas Agriculture Department including the Livestock and Poultry Division, Egg & Poultry Section, Plant Industry Division, and the Bureau of Standards. This position may supervise other Inspectors. This position is governed by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, state and federal laws, and agency policy.
Functions
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Vaccinates cattle and identifies livestock at markets/farms to ensure disease prevention and compliance with regulations. Responds to animal health complaints and ensures compliance. Inspects commercial poultry hatcheries for compliance. Monitors animal exhibitions/activities for the purposes of disease detection. Responds to animal emergencies. Issues quarantines, permits and prepares and submits reports. May supervise and/or train new employees.
EGG AND POULTRY SECTION: Maintains the USDA Shell Egg and Poultry regulations and reviews contracts/specification requirements. Performs Acceptance Quality Level (AQL) examinations on products (poultry, egg & rabbit) and ensures that segregation meets USDA, State and Industry standards. Monitors temperature/relative humidity of coolers; establishes grading stations, performs and continually monitors pre-operational sanitation inspections of processors, and monitors and verifies the grading by industry graders. Enforces the provisions of the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act of 1969 and makes inspections where eggs are bought, sold, offered for sale, or processed.
PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION: Issues certificates, quarantines, and permits. May train and/or supervise the work of other employees. Conducts inspections of: dealer/applicator records, application methods/sites, regulated equipment/structures/entities, collects samples, and gathers evidence required to assimilate a case file.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS: Inspects/tests weighing and measuring devices used for commercial activity and removes out-of-compliance devices from service. Inspects packaged commodities to determine accuracy of weight/measurement standards and labeling requirements. Investigates consumer complaints and prepares case files. Determines price accuracy in retail establishments and ensures method of sale for products. Confirms required information is provided to consumers through ticketing/receipts. Confirms Country of Origin labeling inspection on meats, seafood, nuts, and produce. Inspects records for compliance with applicable laws and ordinances. May supervise and/or train new employees.
Dimensions
Frequent in-state travel, exposure to diseased livestock, manufacturing facilities/machinery, and/or occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals/substances/environments. Occasional to frequent lifting and carrying of heavy/bulky items. Occasional 24/7 on call duty is required.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION:
• Knowledge of laws/regulations governing the livestock industry and inspections.
• Knowledge of field and laboratory testing procedures and requirements utilized to determine the existence of diseases.
• Ability to perform inspections and issue quarantines on infected or exposed livestock.
• Ability to monitor the movement of livestock to ensure compliance.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to gather documentation for prosecution of violators.
EGG & POULTRY SECTION:
• Ability to interpret laws governing the industry.
• Ability to perform inspections and enforce laws.
• Ability to complete required documents.
• Ability to inspect facilities and equipment for cleanliness.
PLANT INDUSTRIES DIVISION:
• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing inspections.
• Ability to perform inspections.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to withstand hazardous environments.
BUREAU OF STANDARDS:
• Knowledge of laws regarding measurement and weight standards.
• Knowledge of inspection techniques, evidence collection, mathematics, operation of test equipment and devices, record keeping and report writing.
• Ability to work independently, infrequently lift and carry up to 100 pounds, and lift up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to climb, bend/stoop, kneel, push/pull, stand/walk for prolonged time periods, and wear personal protective gear.
• Ability to interpret/apply/enforce all applicable standards.
Minimum Qualifications
The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in animal science, poultry science, livestock management, business or an applicable field; plus one year in a leadership capacity
OR
The formal education equivalent of an associate’s degree in animal science, livestock management, poultry science, business or an applicable field; plus two years of experience in the applicable field, including one year in a leadership capacity
OR
The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus four years of experience in the applicable field, including one years in a leadership capacity.
Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.
Licenses
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Must be able to obtain the Arkansas Beef Quality Assurance Program Certification within six months of hire date. Must have completed Certificate of Incident Command System (ICS trainings 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800) from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) or another certified trainer.
PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION: Must have completed Incident Command System (ICS 100, 200 and two additional course) trainings from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) within one year of hire date. Must have completed training provided by relevant professional organizations as required and approved by the Plant Industry Division Director. Must have completed CPR and Supervisor and/or Leadership training provided by the TSS – Office of Personnel Management or another certified trainer.
The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing environmental and construction programs.
• Knowledge of planning and analysis techniques and procedures.
• Knowledge of state regulations and codes related to agriculture, natural resources, wildlife, and legal methods of feral swine removal.
• Experience with nuisance animal removal methods and traps
• Ability to conduct on-site evaluations to determine compliance with standards, laws, or regulations.
• Ability to evaluate and document results.
• Ability to provide applicable technical assistance and recommend control measures consistent with program goals and methodology.
• Ability to gather, analyze data and write reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, including Excel, Word and Outlook, and other strong computer skills such as ArcGIS.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong oral communication skills.
Typical Functions of the Inspector are:
• Assist and coordinate with APHIS personnel and eligible landowners to provide direct feral swine control measures, including without limitation:
• Assisting APHIS with obtaining landowner permission forms to gain access to perform feral swine removal practices.
• Assisting APHIS personnel with feral swine damage assessment on eligible property.
• Assisting APHIS personnel with feral swine removal measures to include, site evaluation, pre-baiting, bait, camera and trap placement, trap monitoring, trap construction and trap deployment.
• Assisting APHIS with pertinent data collection.
• Preparing damage assessment and removal reports.
• Maintaining equipment such as trucks, trailers, Utility and All Terrain Vehicles (UTVs/ATVs), trap, cameras and other associated equipment and recording daily activity logs for reporting purposes.
• Providing project documentation of landowner contacts, feral swine removed, and other information requested.
• Assist landowners or producers with the completion of various pre and post control effort surveys.
• Completing reports to document activities in accordance with state and federal funding agreements.
• Maintaining records, tracking activities, and setting project goals and objectives.
• Performing other duties as assigned.
Agency Specific Information:
The Agri Inspector III will conduct feral swine control activities in northeast Arkansas (Clay, Craighead, Greene, Mississippi, and Poinsett Counties). The Inspector will implement feral swine control activities under the verbal or written guidance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Arkansas Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Division.
Exposure to extreme weather conditions, rough terrain, and potentially hazardous and/or dangerous conditions is required. May be required to work under extended subject-to-call status and extended work hours. May be required to reside within assigned area as a condition of employment. Occasional in-state, and frequent daily travel within the assigned area may be required.
This position is limited to 1,500 hours per fiscal year.
