CDA- Pesticide Enforcement Specialist II (Compliance Specialist II)

Full Job Description

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture.

Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission:

The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.

CDA Wildly Important Goals:

To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four “wildly important goals:”

• Goal 1: Advancing Local Food Access

• Goal 2: Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture

• Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture

• Goal 4: Advancing Animal Health and Welfare

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans (www.copera.org)
• Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation

Equal Opportunity

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply.

The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them.

Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Requirements

Organizational Purpose

This work unit exists to enforce the Pesticide Applicator’s Act (PAA), C.R.S.

35-10-101-128 and the associated Rules and Regulations Pertaining to the Administration and Enforcement of the PAA 8 CCR 1203-2.

The statute enforced deals with human health protection, consumer protection and environmental protection concerning the application of pesticides

Major Objectives of the Position

This position is an entry level Pesticide Enforcement position that performs necessary investigation analysis, field work and other assigned duties for compliance with regulations established under the CDA pesticide programs.

When fully trained the position will review, evaluate, and obtain evidence that is presented as proof of a violation from CDA field services staff for the purposes of issuing a Violation Notice or Cease and Desist Order.

The position will evaluate evidence that has been collected from other field staff during an investigation and will compile, analyze, and determine if violations exist and are probable.

The position will work to analyze complaints, evaluate evidence, prepare documents recommending administrative actions, including Cease and Desist Orders, Stipulated Agreements, Civil Penalties and other enforcement actions that may be necessary based on the severity of the violative actions The position will perform pesticide enforcement follow-up inspections to verify compliance has been achieved after the issuance of an enforcement action; conduct various office, field and WPS inspections on pesticide applicators as needed and assist the GPIV and GPV in the identification and production of documents pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act as time permits.

Primary Duties:

When fully trained duties include, but are not limited to:

• Review, evaluate and obtain evidence that is presented as proof of a violation from CDA field services staff for the purposes of issuing a Violation Notice or Cease and Desist Order.

• Evaluate evidence that has been collected from other field staff during the course of an investigation and will compile, analyze and determine if violations exist and are provable.

• Analyze complaints, evaluate evidence, prepare documents recommending administrative actions, including Cease and Desist Orders, Stipulated Agreements, Civil Penalties and other enforcement actions that may be necessary based on the severity of the violative actions.

• Perform pesticide enforcement follow-up inspections to verify compliance has been achieved after the issuance of an enforcement action; conduct various office, field and WPS inspections on pesticide applicators as needed and assist the Supervisor and Work Lead in the identification and production of documents pursuant to the Colorado Open Records Act as time permits.

• Conduct all types of pesticide applicator inspections (routine office, field, WPS, private applicator recordkeeping, etc.) that may initiate enforcement actions.

• Conduct all types of pesticide misuse investigations

Qualifications

• Five (5) years of experience in any regulatory capacity, paralegal and/or professional pesticide use.

• A combination of education in a field of study related to plants or pest management such as: horticulture, biology, botany, or other plant related natural science field and experience in any regulatory capacity, paralegal and/or professional pesticide use.

• Previous experience working with the State of Colorado.
• Experience with pesticide regulation

• Must be a resident of the state of Colorado at the time of application.
• Must have and maintain a valid CO Driver's License.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Detail oriented.
• Excellent communication skills; able to communicate effectively and articulately in writing and orally with diverse communities in all corners of the state.
• Work well under pressure.
• Strong relationship management skills and excellent representation of the department in community interactions.
• A proven track record for developing and maintaining trusted relationships with stakeholders and industry experts.
• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Proactive approaches to problem-solving and with strong decision-making capability.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.

• Knowledge of Pesticide Application

• Knowledge plant/pest management

• Problem solving – Investigation

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications

OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application.

Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to mary.hunt@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.

• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

• Technical Competence – Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience – Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit – Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.

Additional Information