Associate Biologist/Standards Specialist

Conducts field surveys and inspections in areas of pest and disease prevention and control; regulation of pesticides, fruit, vegetable, and egg quality control; nursery regulation; weighing and measuring devices; quantity control of packaged commodities, weighmaster, and petroleum products; electric meters and compressed gases;Issues certificates of compliance or notices of non-compliance with orders to recondition or otherwise bring into compliance commodities that do not conform to government regulations;Inspects and certifies plant product shipments for export to other states or countries;Tests a variety of meters, weighing and measuring devices, and packaged goods for conformance to legal standards; assists in sealing, condemning, or confiscating equipment, as necessary;Answers questions and provides information and assistance to the public, private industry, government agencies, and community groups;Conducts studies and gathers information and statistics for reports;Investigates and follows up on pesticide-related complaints, violations, incidents, and illnesses;Prepares reports and correspondence;Issues notices of violations and citations and prepares cases for administrative civil penalty actions or referrals to the District Attorney; May assist in special programs;May operate a heavy-capacity truck;May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*; Performs other related duties, as required.

Qualifications Sufficient education, training, and experience to demonstrate the ability to perform the above tasks, plus the possession and direct application of the following knowledge and abilities:Training and Experience Note: The required knowledge and abilities are attained throughpossession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college in Agricultural, Biological, Chemical, or Physical Sciences, or related fields as determined by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).ORPossession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college with at least 30 semester units (45 quarter units) in one or any combination of the following disciplines: Agricultural Science, Biological Science, Chemical Science, Physical Science, Mathematics, and/or Statistics.ORPossession of one (1) or more valid statewide licenses as a County Weights and Measures Inspector or County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist issued by the CDFA.Special RequirementsPossession of one (1) or more valid licenses issued by the CDFA for the area of assignment within the probationary period of appointment or vacate the position.Possession of a California Commercial Class A driver's license is required for some positions.Possession of certificate of completion from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the 10-week Basic Canine Handler Training, Cargo/Postal prior to appointment is required for some positions.

Ability to travel to alternate locations in the course of work.

If driving, possession of a valid California driver’s license prior to appointment and the ability to qualify for and maintain a County driver authorization.*As a condition of employment, pursuant to California Government Code Sections 3100-3109 and Local Ordinance, all County of Santa Clara employees are designated Disaster Service Workers, including extra help.

A DSW is required to complete all assigned DSW-related training, and in the event of an emergency, return to work as ordered.Knowledge of:Federal, state, and local regulations, laws, and procedures in the functional area of agricultural and/or weights and measures inspection and enforcement;Scientific principles related to the operation of common weighing and measuring devices;Principles, mechanics, and care of weighing and measuring devices;The agricultural industry within California and Santa Clara County;Basic mathematics and basic statistical methods and analysis; Common computer systems and applications.Ability to:Work independently under general supervision;Communicate effectively in English, both orally and in writing;Read, understand, interpret, and apply technical material, including laws and regulations;Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work, at all levels, including colleagues, the public, and representatives of other agencies, to provide information or obtain compliance with enforcement actions;Conduct a wide range of agricultural or weights and measures inspection and enforcement functions;Analyze situations accurately and recommend appropriate action;Investigate complaints, prepare clear and concise reports, and maintain records;Perform mathematical calculations;Utilize and learn new software applications;Operate and maintain various types of equipment; Obtain necessary certificates/licenses, as required.

Additional Information Work under adverse weather conditions; outdoors, in remote areas, on uneven and/or slippery ground or surfaces, and on moderately steep slopes or terrain;Work in environments that are noisy or are subject to sudden changes and/or extremes in air temperature, pressure, or humidity;Come into contact with water;Handle and deal with toxic and hazardous substances;Deal with biting and stinging insects, ticks, and poisonous plants;Lift, push, and pull objects that weigh 50 pounds or more;Stand and/or sit for extended periods;Stoop, bend, reach, grasp, and manipulate objects.