Agriculture Specialist 1-3 Print (https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/louisiana/jobs/newprint/4667761) Apply  Agriculture Specialist 1-3 Salary $3,181.00 - $5,724.00 Monthly Location Shreveport, LA Job Type Classified Job Number ACS-8009-9.23.24-CH Department DAF-Agriculture and Forestry Opening Date 09/23/2024 Closing Date 10/7/2024 11:59 PM Central + Description + Benefits + Questions Supplemental Information Job Number: ACS-8009-9.23.24-CH The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and State as a Model Employer (SAME) to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Position #8009 is located in Bossier Parish. No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. *This position has a Special Entrance Rate at each level of the Career Progression Group* Agriculture Specialist 1 has an SER of$19.23 per hour. Agriculture Specialist 2 has an SER of$20.58 per hour. Agriculture Specialist 3 has an SER of$22.02 per hour. **The incumbent of this position will be eligible for a 10% increase upon attainment of permanent status.** Selected Core Competencies: + Following Policies and Procedures:The ability to comply with policies and procedures of the organization as well as State Civil Service rules, and all applicable federal and state laws. + Learning Actively:The ability to acquire necessary knowledge and skills to improve performance and achieve organizational goals. + Making Accurate Judgments:The ability to form an opinion objectively and decisively based on relevant information and in accordance with established standards. + Managing Resources:The ability to ensure resources such as time, money, and people are utilized appropriately to result in maximum business value. Selected Preferred Competencies: + Acting Decisively:The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. + Communicating Effectively: The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas. + Demonstrating Initiative:The ability to assess information and take action independently to help the organization achieve its goals. + Solving Problems:The ability to discover solutions to problems. + Thinking Critically:The ability to objectively question, analyze, interpret, and evaluate information to form a conclusion. To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. *Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.* Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization. All applicants selected for employment must submit to drug screening. If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you have a need a special accommodation for a disability. For further information about this vacancy contact: Cody Hulbert Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 Chulbert@ldaf.state.la.us The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors. Minimum Qualifications MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A baccalaureate degree with at least twelve semester hours in agribusiness, an agricultural science, forestry, a biological, chemical, environmental or physical science, an information technology field, a mathematics field, veterinary science, wildlife and fisheries science, or any combination AND an additional twelve semester hours in accounting, agribusiness, an agricultural science, a biological, chemical, environmental or physical science, economics, education, forestry, health sciences, management, marketing, statistics, veterinary science, wildlife, and fisheries science, or any combination. SUBSTITUTION: Experience in inspecting or enforcing for compliance with agricultural laws, rules, or regulations, or inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices will substitute for the baccalaureate degree and specialized coursework on the basis of 30 semester hours with 6 semester hours of specialized coursework for one year of experience. NOTE: Any college hours or degree must be from an accredited college or university. Job Concepts FUNCTION OF WORK: To examine, inspect and investigate products, facilities, services, commodities, and/or livestock to ensure compliance with and enforcement of laws and regulations concerning Meat Inspection, Poultry & Eggs, Fruits & Vegetables, Agricultural Commodities, Weights & Measures, animal feed manufacturing, and/or Livestock. LEVEL OF WORK: Entry. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Close from an Agriculture Specialist District Supervisor, Agriculture Specialist Program Manager, Agriculture Assistant Division Director, Ag Specialist Regional Enforcement Supervisor or higher level supervisor. May receive project supervision from Agriculture Specialists 2 and 3 during training periods. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None. LOCATION OF WORK: Department of Agriculture and Forestry. JOB DISTINCTIONS: Differs from Agriculture Specialist 2 by performance of entry level rather than journeyman level tasks. Examples of Work Incumbent of this position performs work for the Office of Weights and Measures, Department of Agriculture and Forestry and reports to an Agriculture Specialist District Supervisor. This position acts as an assistant supervisor with lead worker responsibilities over lower level Agriculture Specialist positions. Agriculture Specialists (Inspectors) in the Weights and Measures Division inspect and test all commercial weighing and measuring devices within the state used for solid or liquid commodities to insure that devices are accurate and correct, to insure that these devices are used for the purpose for which they are intended and to insure that they are properly maintained and operated. They are also responsible for package inspections of prepackaged commodities to insure accurate weight and labeling. Equipment inspected includes electronic pricing equipment, taximeters, and all light, medium and heavy-duty devices (e.g. retail/wholesale counter scales, truck scales, stockyard and hopper scales, cattle scales, monorail or overhead scales, platform, suspension and cotton beam scales, refrigerated milk tanks, motor fuel dispensing devices, and delicate highly accurate scales used in the sale or trade of precious metals). 75% - Field Work: Performs inspections required by law to prove the size, quantity, extent, area or measurement of commodities or their dispensers. Weighs, measures and inspects packages or amounts of commodities kept for the purpose of sale, offered for sale or sold in the process of delivery to ensure amounts represented are accurate as prescribed by law, and places stop orders on those that do not meet the specified standards. Inspects labeling and markings on pre-packaged goods to ensure that all products in commercial markets reflect an accurate description of the product as to the net weight, size, numerical count, length or volume. Tests and issues seals, tags of approval, or certificates for weighing and measuring devices and rejects those that do not meet the specified standards. Places stop orders on containers or dispensers containing defective fuels to forbid use or sale. Obtains samples of motor fuel products from retailers, forwards samples to fuel laboratory for testing. Inspects fuel dispensing devices to insure correct calibration and labeling; issues certification decals or rejects those that do not meet specifications. Maintains and utilizes equipment such as test weights, special tools, equal arm balances, volume beakers, calibrated glassware and related equipment as necessary to test, inspect or calibrate weighing and measuring devices. Agriculture Specialist 3 – Weights and Measures Maintains documentation of all inspections and records pertinent information concerning final disposition of inspections or investigations. Assists the Heavy Duty Inspectors either by directly helping with the testing of heavy duty scales or indirectly by serving as a witness to the testing of heavy duty scales when performed by a licensed scale technician. Has advanced knowledge of computerized systems used to record field data and assist lower level inspectors in gaining and using such knowledge. 25% - Administrative: Serves as assistant supervisor and/or lead worker. Assigns and reviews the work of lower level inspectors to ensure that required field work is completed in a timely and efficient manner. Meets weekly with the Agriculture Specialist District Supervisor to review work of lower level inspectors. Assists lower level inspectors in the performance of difficult or complex inspections. Participates in the training of lower level Inspectors when so directed by the District Supervisor. Assumes the duties and responsibilities of unit supervisor in his/her absence. Leads or participates in special projects or task groups as directed by their District or Regional Supervisors. Other duties as may be assigned. Functional Requirements: + Lifting up to 50 pound weights + Reaching above the shoulders + Climbing stairs and ladders + Working above and below ground level + Sitting for long periods of time at work station or vehicle for travel + Driving a truck to perform inspections and investigations + Walking over irregular ground and standing for long periods of time + Using proper techniques for lifting tools, computers, weights, hoses or other items used in either the performance of duties or attending training throughout the state + Observing recognized safety procedures in handling fuels, tools, weights, and climbing and working around hazardous structures Environmental Factors: + Ability to work in extremes of temperature and humidity especially while wearing required safety gear + Working indoors and outdoors + Working around both residential and commercial structures that may be hazardous + Working with hazardous material such as fuels, oils, other hydrocarbons and chemicals + Exposure to dust, bad odors, fumes, slippery surfaces, mud, and animal excrement Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity tomake a differencethrough public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career. As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program: Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/ Parental Leave– Up to six weeks paid parental leave More information can be found athttps://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year: + New Year's Day + Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, + Mardi Gras, + Good Friday, + Memorial Day, + Independence Day, + Labor Day, + Veteran's Day, + Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. ***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase. Retirement – State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to): + Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video (https://lasersonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/Your\_Retirement\_System.mp4) to give you more detailed information about their system + Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org), + Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others 01 To ensure compliance with the LDAF Nepotism Policy, do you have any immediate family members or relatives who are currently employed with the LDAF? Immediate family member is defined as children (blood, step, adopted), spouse, brother, sister, father, mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Relative includes immediate family members previously defined and also includes grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew. + Yes + No 02 If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the name of your immediate family member and/or relatives currently employed by the LDAF. If you answered "no" to the above question, enter N/A. 03 Are you currently a classified employee of Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry serving with permanent status? + Yes + No 04 Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license? + Yes + No 05 The incumbent of this position may drive a state-owned vehicle during working hours. Office of Risk Management prohibits drivers with three or more moving violations in a one year period from operating a state-owned vehicle. Based on this information, will you be able to operate a state-owned vehicle? + Yes + No 06 Rate your ability to act decisively based on our definition: The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively. + I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable acting decisively + I have limited experience or require assistance to act decisively + I can act decisively + I can act decisively and help others improve their ability to act decisively 07 Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below. 08 Rate your ability to communicate effectively based on our definition: The ability to relay information correctly and appropriately to connect people and ideas. + I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable communicating effectively + I have limited experience or require assistance to communicate effectively + I can communicate effectively + I can communicate effectively and help others improve their communication 09 Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below. 10 Rate your ability to demonstrate initiative based on our definition: The ability to assess information and take action independently to help the organization achieve its goals. + I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable demonstrating initiative + I have limited experience or require assistance to demonstrate initiative + I can demonstrate initiative + I can and help others improve their ability to demonstrate initiative 11 Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below. 12 Rate your ability to follow policies and procedures based on our definition: The ability to comply with policies and procedures of the organization as well as State Civil Service rules, and all applicable federal and state laws. + I have no experience and/or am uncomfortable following policies and procedures + I have limited experience or require assistance to follow policies and procedures + I can follow policies and procedures + I can follow policies and procedures and help others improve their ability to follow policies and procedures 13 Explain your rating by providing specific and relevant examples in the box below. 14 Do you have twelve semester hours in agribusiness, an agricultural science, forestry, a biological, chemical, environmental or physical science, an information technology field, a mathematics field, veterinary science, wildlife and fisheries science, or any combination? + Yes + No 15 If you answered yes to the question above, please list your qualifying coursework for all 12 hours in the following format: AGRI 1001, Introduction to Agriculture, 3 hours, LSU. If you answered no, enter N/A. 16 Do you have an additional twelve semester hours in accounting, agribusiness, an agricultural science, a biological, chemical, environmental or physical science, economics, education, forestry, health sciences, management, marketing, statistics, veterinary science, wildlife, and fisheries science, or any combination? + Yes + No 17 If you answered yes to the question above, please list your qualifying coursework for all 12 hours in the following format: AGRI 1001, Introduction to Agriculture, 3 hours, LSU. If you answered no, enter N/A. Required Question Agency State of Louisiana Address For agency contact information, please refer to the supplemental information above. Louisiana State Civil Service, Louisiana, 70802 Phone (866) 783-5462 Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/louisiana/default.cfm Apply Please verify your email addressVerify Email