Deputy Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

• Supervises, manages, and coordinates agricultural and/or weights and measures inspection and enforcement programs;

• Directs and evaluates the work of staff;

• Assists in the preparation and monitoring of the annual departmental budget;

• Makes recommendations and assists in the development, revision, and implementation of departmental policies, procedures, organization, and operating methods;

• Monitors various State inspection contracts to ensure compliance with performance requirements;

• Manages, coordinates, and reviews general division activities and enforcement programs;

• Reviews proposed policy and procedure changes and makes recommendations to Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer;

• Performs or effectively recommends the appointment, discipline, transfer, or promotion of departmental personnel;

• Resolves employee relations problems;

• Represents and assists the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer in maintaining cooperative working relationships with the State Department of Food and Agriculture, Department of Pesticide Regulation, Division of Measurement Standards, other public jurisdictions, and citizen groups;

• Reviews investigations of complaints and possible violations of law;

• Confers with industry on agricultural and/or weights and measures procedures, regulations, and enforcement;

• Speaks before boards, commissions, and citizen groups;

• Licenses and monitors the operation of commercial pest control operators and the sale and use of pesticides and herbicides;

• Interprets and explains regulations to ensure uniform enforcement;

• Reviews and approves special permit applications;

• Prepares reports, correspondence, and supervises the maintenance of divisional records;

• May act in the absence of the Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer;

• May be assigned as a Disaster Service Worker (DSW), as required*;

• Performs other related duties, as required.

• Possession of a valid County Deputy Agricultural Commissioner or County Deputy Sealer of Weights and Measures license issued by the State of California, depending on departmental assignment.

• 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 (DSWs), 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.

• Federal, State, and local agriculture and/or weights and measures laws, policies, and regulations;

• Methods and procedures of agricultural and/or weights and measures inspection and enforcement;

• Principles of supervision and training;

• Principles of administrative organization;

• Basic principles of county budgeting;

• Rules of evidence, investigative techniques, court procedures;

• General agricultural practices and issues, and/or general weights and measures principles and practices, and the mechanics and care of devices and inspection equipment;

• English usage, style, grammar, punctuation, and spelling.

• Work independently under general direction;

• Interpret and apply complex laws, regulations, ordinances, agreements, contracts, guidelines, and policies applicable to the position;

• Analyze situations accurately and take effective action;

• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with people of diverse backgrounds and cultures; 

• Prepare and present effective oral and written reports;

• Investigate and present difficult cases for prosecution or litigation;

• Plan and supervise the work of others;

• 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.