Agriculture Environment Inspector

Ohio Department of Agriculture in Licking County, Ohio

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is currently seeking candidates for an Agriculture Environment Inspector position in the Livestock Regulation Program, Field Operations Unit. This position will be headquartered in Licking county. The duties for the Agriculture Environmental Inspector position include but not limited to:

Conducts inspections of permitted livestock facilities, investigates pollution and nuisance complaints, and non-permitted facilities, conducts trainings or permit requirements and emergency response and enforces state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding use of agricultural nutrients as it pertains to environmental impact: inspects livestock, poultry, and related facilities for compliance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations (i.e., Ohio Revised Code [ORC] 903 and Ohio Administrative Code [OAC] 901:10)
Drives to various locations in assigned district to inspect large concentrated animal feeding facilities (CAFF's)
Reviews livestock facility permits to operate (PTO) (e.g.,, evaluates facility records and ensures compliance with [OAC] 901:10)
Ensures compliance to biosecurity protocols
Inspects new facilities/construction sites
Evaluates land application of manure and nutrients (e.g., inspects fields to ensure proper utilization)
Provides effective communication with crop farmers and/or facility owners (e.g., educates facility operators and/or facility employees of rules and requirements
Reviews operational processes and identifies changes since last inspection
Investigates pollution and nuisance complaints (e.g., flies, odor, manure run-off, over populated facility, unauthorized building or construction, mortality management issues, discharges, potential for discharges and spills)
Locates environmentally sensitive areas identified in nuisance complaints
Develops maps outlining location and surroundings of environmentally sensitive areas identified in nuisance complaints
Conducts on-site investigations
Determines immediate remedial actions
Investigates non-permitted (NP) facilities
Conducts site visits
Determines legality of NP sites
Reviews code requirements and advises NP facility of compliance process
Conducts trainings on permit requirements
Enforces state and federal laws, rules and regulations regarding use of agricultural nutrients and potential impact to environment as it relates to water quality
Operates laptop computer and related software to generate inspection reports
Uses digital camera to photograph pertinent visual dynamics (e.g., facility design, flaws, and complaint/non-compliance items) for inspection files
Participates in agricultural environment enforcement activities: develops environmental enforcement cases
Reviews laws (e.g., Ohio Revised Code [ORC] and Ohio Administrative Code [OAC] to ensure appropriateness of enforcement actions
Collects and verifies facts for violation or permits
Consults with supervisor and assists other agencies (e.g., Ohio Attorney General Office [AGO], Bureau of Criminal Investigation [BCI], Ohio Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] with environmental enforcement investigations
Assesses compliance history and develops penalty assessments for non-compliance
Develops and submits compliance schedules
Participates in settlement and/or environmental enforcement hearings
Assists in administering Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) program and ensures compliance with rules and permits: maintains lists of active CLMs
Responds to inquiries about CLM program (e.g., rules, recordkeeping, training)
Conducts CLM training
Develops program overview presentations
Delivers presentations to various groups/audiences (e.g., environmental advocacy, livestock production groups, other state groups/audiences)
Informs facilities of permit requirements
Travels to other districts as required to cover other inspects territory
Assists in providing emergency response trainings
Performs other related duties as assigned: maintains job related tools and equipment; prepares weekly schedules/itinerary; maintains facility files and contact information; completes inspection forms and reports; maintains vehicle logs and coordinates vehicle and equipment maintenance; reviews professional journals and publications; attends meetings, seminars and trainings (e.g., field days, equipment demonstrations, educational meetings, Farm Science Review, CLM training, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [NPDES] training); participates as part of a team on special group projects; communicates with inter-departmental attorneys, engineers, and other ODA Divisions (e.g., Communications, Legal, Animal Health); completes miscellaneous forms, reports, and documents for compliance standards enforcement and evaluations (e.g., activity sheets, administrative emails)

Minimum Qualifications:

Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary will be set at the lowest rate of the salary range. In most cases successful employees will move up a step in the salary range within six months with subsequent step increases occurring every year as supported by successful performance.

Completion of undergraduate core coursework in agriculture or environmental related field of study including courses in animal science and/or agronomy and 2 years experience in agricultural and/or environmental related field AND valid driver's license to operate state vehicle

-OR 4 years experience in agricultural and/or environmental related field AND valid driver's license to operate state vehicle

-OR equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above.

Major Worker Characteristics:

Knowledge of animal science, agriculture, agronomy, soils & nutrient management, & environmental standards; state & federal laws, rules & regulations regarding animals diseases; biosecurity procedures*; livestock husbandry; water quality standards; permitting of livestock facilities*; addition, subtraction, multiplication & division. Skill in operation of personal computer & related software*; bio testing equipment*; sample collection equipment*. Ability to recognize unusual or threatening conditions & take appropriate action; interpret variety of instructions in written, oral, picture or schedule form; define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions; copy records precisely without error; complete routine forms; maintain accurate records; prepare meaningful, concise & accurate reports; handle sensitive contacts with operators of agricultural operations, other governmental officials & general public; prepare & deliver speeches before specialized audiences & general public; demonstrate physical fitness, agility & dexterity necessary to use test equipment (*)Developed after employment.

More information on the position and how to apply can be found here: http://agency.governmentjobs.com/ohio/job_bulletin.cfm?JobID=1848699

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