CDA-Plant Inspector Reallocation (Compliance Specialist III)

Department Information

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. 

Core Values:  Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect  

CDA Wildly Important Goals:

To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on five "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Expanding National and International Market Access

• Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders

• Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan

• Goal 4: Implementing the Beaver Strategy

• Goal 5: Providing Education on Animal Mistreatment and Livestock Theft

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.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi.

Description of Job

NOTICE OF PROPOSED REALLOCATION
POSITION NUMBER: 00171  HELD BY: R. Lietzau
HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED FOR REALLOCATION TO: Compliance Specialist III  H1G3XX

This position is an intermediate level position that performs necessary field work and other assigned duties, in accordance with established procedures and guidelines. The position works under the direction of the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief in cooperation with various program managers to enforce laws and rules and perform other functions pertaining to: pesticides, pesticide applicators, and other divisional mission related duties as assigned. Work includes but is not limited to the following: 

• Inspection - Inspects commodities, crops, facilities and other items to determine compliance with statutes and other requirements. 
• Investigation - Investigates alleged violations related to certain statutes and collects evidence and official samples related to alleged or possible violation of laws, rules or for other purposes. 
• Communication - Disseminates information, informs, or instructs coworkers, regulated entities, and the public about the agencies underlying rationale, motive, intent, laws, rules, and policies. 
• Reporting - Creates or compiles reports and findings regarding inspections and investigations and submits them to program managers. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Inspections:
Under the guidance of the Field Services Section Chief, Lead Inspector, and more senior inspectors, the position continues to learn and develop and improve general and special skills to perform all assigned duties. 
Duties include

• inspections to detect regulatory problems and determine compliance with various requirements of statute and rules of the Pesticide Act, the worker Protection Standard, Pesticide Applicators’ Act, and other laws and rules as assigned. Inspections include but are not limited to pesticides and pesticide devices, dealers of such products, pesticide applicators’ records, pesticide storage, pesticide equipment, agricultural commodities, agricultural commodity processing practices and facilities, and pesticide disposal practices at business and field locations. 
• Inspection sites may include but are not limited to greenhouses, nurseries, other crop production areas, irrigation pivots, agricultural production fields, agricultural commodity storage areas, organic production and processing areas. 
• Inspection requires the position to visually examine or compare items, to handle, lift, and manipulate items and equipment up to 50 pounds in weight, detect colors, sizes, and shapes, to climb in and out of vehicles and warehouse areas, and drive a vehicle for periods of up to five or more hours per day. 
• Prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and develop all necessary inspection related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in.
  • the use of special equipment for inspection related functions; verbal interaction with others by asking questions and listening to responses; walking and maneuvering in restricted areas and diverse terrain; driving to the location to perform job functions; planning and scheduling inspections and contacts effectively and efficiently.
• Professionally and courteously exchanging information via telephone or other electronic media; working cooperatively, 
• Professionally and courteously with coworkers, stakeholders and the general public.
• Accurately filling out or creating various reports by legibly handwriting and/or using a computer including the use of standard office computer programs (Word, Excel, and Google) and other special programs; completing all assigned work tasks; submitting required reports to the appropriate Field Services Section Chief or program manager on time, with the adequate ability to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
• The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief, Lead Inspector, and program managers or other higher management positions. 
• All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
• The position works with the Lead Inspector or a more experienced inspector until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the Field Services Section Chief determine that the position is competent and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments. The position develops a weekly work plan to accomplish assigned duties efficiently and effectively and submits the plan to the Field Services Section Chief each Friday by 4:00 PM for approval for the following week. 
• Position may frequently be required with little or no advanced notice, to travel by automobile, commercial airliner, or other common mode of transportation, in state or out of state, and stay overnight one or more weeks at a time up to 20 or more weeks per year (approximately 30 – 35 % of work time).

Investigations: 

• Position operates with intermediate level working knowledge and improving those skills required for investigating complaints and other alleged violations of the Pesticide, Pesticide Applicators’ Acts and other laws and rules. 
• Pesticide related investigation is done in cooperation with and with direction from the Pesticide Enforcement Specialist or appropriate program manager. 
• Prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and demonstrate competency in all necessary investigation related knowledge sets and skills including: 
  • analyzing situations and conditions.
  • logical reasoning.
  • interviewing witnesses by asking questions and listening to responses; making photographs
  • collecting evidentiary samples including pesticide residue and other samples
  • gathering other pertinent evidence
  • sketching maps or other diagrams
  • compiling information into accurate, legible, understandable reports and filing those reports with Pesticide Enforcement Manager in a timely manner and in accordance with established guidelines and policies with the adequate ability to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
• Position should be able to visually examine or compare items; handle, lift and manipulate items and equipment up to 50 pounds in weight; distinguish basic colors, sizes and shapes such as differentiating between healthy and apparently herbicide damaged plant material; climb in and out of vehicles, warehouse areas etcetera; verbally interact with others by asking questions, listening to responses and formulating further questions as needed, in an interview, investigation, or other situation; walk and maneuver in restricted areas and diverse terrain; and drive to inspection, investigation, and other locations as required. 
• The position might confer with legal counsel about investigations and testify in administrative, civil, and criminal hearings and investigations. 
• The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief, program managers or other higher management positions. 
• All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
• Position may frequently be required with little or no advanced notice, to travel by automobile, commercial airliner, or other common mode of transportation, in state or out of state, and stay overnight one or more weeks at a time. 
• Position works with a more experienced inspector until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the supervisor determine that the position is competent and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments.

Communicating and Reporting: 

• Prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and develop all necessary communication related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in: 
  • Dissemination of information to regulated entities and the general public about the agency’s underlying rationale, motive, intent, laws, rules, and policies by verbal or written communication, or by audio-video presentation in accordance with established procedures and guidelines
  • Communication with regulated entities to gain compliance with laws and rules through cooperation and understanding
  • Communicating work related information clearly and professionally with coworkers, program managers, and supervisors; with sufficient abilities to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
• Additionally the position must satisfactorily complete all additional training requirements and improve all necessary reporting related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in
  • Operating and using standard and special computer programs and other graphic aids as needed to create, review, summarize or compile reports and findings related to investigations.
  • inspections and other work unit related activities, submitting reports and findings to program managers in an accurate and timely manner and maintains confidentiality regarding all information obtained. 
  • The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief and program managers or other higher management positions. 
  • All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
  • Position works in contact with the Lead Inspector or a more experienced inspector learning communication related skills and knowledge sets until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the supervisor determine that the position is competent and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments.

Enforcement: 

• In keeping with the division’s philosophy of compliance through cooperation, prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and develop all necessary enforcement related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in: 
  • informing, advising, counseling, and guiding regulated entities to resolve compliance problems; issuing legal documents to regulated entities in accordance with established procedures and guidelines for enforcement and other purposes including, Notices of Violation, Cease and Desist Orders, and Stop Sale Orders.
  • issuing documents based on judgment, observation, record reviews, and by using established guidelines and other information to assess the situation at hand; obtaining documentation and other evidence adequate to support and justify the immediate action in the field or further legal action with sufficient ability to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
  • In some but not most cases, the position consults with Lead Inspectors and program managers before issuing documents. 
• Position clearly and accurately reports all actions to the supervisor and/or appropriate program manager. 
• The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief and program managers or other higher management positions. 
• All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
• Position may frequently be required with little or no advanced notice, to travel by automobile, commercial airliner, or other common mode of transportation, in state or out of state, and stay overnight one or more weeks at a time. 
• Position works in contact with a more experienced inspector and the lead inspector improving communication related skills and knowledge sets until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the supervisor determine that the position is competent and possess the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Section Chief may assign the position to other duties to fulfill the mission of the division. 
• Position duties may include surveying various areas within the state for presence of insect, weed, plant disease or other declared pests; cooperative work with USDA or other state or federal agencies; to benefit or protect the state from pests; release of biocontrol agents like predatory wasps or weed eating insects; pesticide incident management; and assisting other divisions of the department with their respective missions. 
• Position may assist in training other inspectors regarding other duties and related topics.

Position will travel overnight including up to one or more consecutive weeks at a time approximately 30-35% of the work year; and lift up to 50 pounds.Inspections:
Under the guidance of the Field Services Section Chief, Lead Inspector, and more senior inspectors, the position continues to learn and develop and improve general and special skills to perform all assigned duties. 
Duties include

• inspections to detect regulatory problems and determine compliance with various requirements of statute and rules of the Pesticide Act, the worker Protection Standard, Pesticide Applicators’ Act, and other laws and rules as assigned. Inspections include but are not limited to pesticides and pesticide devices, dealers of such products, pesticide applicators’ records, pesticide storage, pesticide equipment, agricultural commodities, agricultural commodity processing practices and facilities, and pesticide disposal practices at business and field locations. 
• Inspection sites may include but are not limited to greenhouses, nurseries, other crop production areas, irrigation pivots, agricultural production fields, agricultural commodity storage areas, organic production and processing areas. 
• Inspection requires the position to visually examine or compare items, to handle, lift, and manipulate items and equipment up to 50 pounds in weight, detect colors, sizes, and shapes, to climb in and out of vehicles and warehouse areas, and drive a vehicle for periods of up to five or more hours per day. 
• Prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and develop all necessary inspection related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in.
  • the use of special equipment for inspection related functions; verbal interaction with others by asking questions and listening to responses; walking and maneuvering in restricted areas and diverse terrain; driving to the location to perform job functions; planning and scheduling inspections and contacts effectively and efficiently.
• Professionally and courteously exchanging information via telephone or other electronic media; working cooperatively, 
• Professionally and courteously with coworkers, stakeholders and the general public.
• Accurately filling out or creating various reports by legibly handwriting and/or using a computer including the use of standard office computer programs (Word, Excel, and Google) and other special programs; completing all assigned work tasks; submitting required reports to the appropriate Field Services Section Chief or program manager on time, with the adequate ability to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
• The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief, Lead Inspector, and program managers or other higher management positions. 
• All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
• The position works with the Lead Inspector or a more experienced inspector until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the Field Services Section Chief determine that the position is competent and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments. The position develops a weekly work plan to accomplish assigned duties efficiently and effectively and submits the plan to the Field Services Section Chief each Friday by 4:00 PM for approval for the following week. 
• Position may frequently be required with little or no advanced notice, to travel by automobile, commercial airliner, or other common mode of transportation, in state or out of state, and stay overnight one or more weeks at a time up to 20 or more weeks per year (approximately 30 – 35 % of work time).

Investigations: 

• Position operates with intermediate level working knowledge and improving those skills required for investigating complaints and other alleged violations of the Pesticide, Pesticide Applicators’ Acts and other laws and rules. 
• Pesticide related investigation is done in cooperation with and with direction from the Pesticide Enforcement Specialist or appropriate program manager. 
• Prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and demonstrate competency in all necessary investigation related knowledge sets and skills including: 
  • analyzing situations and conditions.
  • logical reasoning.
  • interviewing witnesses by asking questions and listening to responses; making photographs
  • collecting evidentiary samples including pesticide residue and other samples
  • gathering other pertinent evidence
  • sketching maps or other diagrams
  • compiling information into accurate, legible, understandable reports and filing those reports with Pesticide Enforcement Manager in a timely manner and in accordance with established guidelines and policies with the adequate ability to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
• Position should be able to visually examine or compare items; handle, lift and manipulate items and equipment up to 50 pounds in weight; distinguish basic colors, sizes and shapes such as differentiating between healthy and apparently herbicide damaged plant material; climb in and out of vehicles, warehouse areas etcetera; verbally interact with others by asking questions, listening to responses and formulating further questions as needed, in an interview, investigation, or other situation; walk and maneuver in restricted areas and diverse terrain; and drive to inspection, investigation, and other locations as required. 
• The position might confer with legal counsel about investigations and testify in administrative, civil, and criminal hearings and investigations. 
• The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief, program managers or other higher management positions. 
• All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
• Position may frequently be required with little or no advanced notice, to travel by automobile, commercial airliner, or other common mode of transportation, in state or out of state, and stay overnight one or more weeks at a time. 
• Position works with a more experienced inspector until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the supervisor determine that the position is competent and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments.

Communicating and Reporting: 

• Prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and develop all necessary communication related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in: 
  • Dissemination of information to regulated entities and the general public about the agency’s underlying rationale, motive, intent, laws, rules, and policies by verbal or written communication, or by audio-video presentation in accordance with established procedures and guidelines
  • Communication with regulated entities to gain compliance with laws and rules through cooperation and understanding
  • Communicating work related information clearly and professionally with coworkers, program managers, and supervisors; with sufficient abilities to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
• Additionally the position must satisfactorily complete all additional training requirements and improve all necessary reporting related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in
  • Operating and using standard and special computer programs and other graphic aids as needed to create, review, summarize or compile reports and findings related to investigations.
  • inspections and other work unit related activities, submitting reports and findings to program managers in an accurate and timely manner and maintains confidentiality regarding all information obtained. 
  • The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief and program managers or other higher management positions. 
  • All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
  • Position works in contact with the Lead Inspector or a more experienced inspector learning communication related skills and knowledge sets until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the supervisor determine that the position is competent and possesses the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments.

Enforcement: 

• In keeping with the division’s philosophy of compliance through cooperation, prior to completion of one year at the CS-II level, the position must satisfactorily complete all training requirements and develop all necessary enforcement related knowledge sets and skills and be competent in: 
  • informing, advising, counseling, and guiding regulated entities to resolve compliance problems; issuing legal documents to regulated entities in accordance with established procedures and guidelines for enforcement and other purposes including, Notices of Violation, Cease and Desist Orders, and Stop Sale Orders.
  • issuing documents based on judgment, observation, record reviews, and by using established guidelines and other information to assess the situation at hand; obtaining documentation and other evidence adequate to support and justify the immediate action in the field or further legal action with sufficient ability to function at the “journeyman” level CS-II. 
  • In some but not most cases, the position consults with Lead Inspectors and program managers before issuing documents. 
• Position clearly and accurately reports all actions to the supervisor and/or appropriate program manager. 
• The position must understand and accurately and correctly follow or implement instructions and directives from the Plant Industry Field Services Section Chief and program managers or other higher management positions. 
• All work must be in accordance with established guidelines, policies, and procedures. 
• Position may frequently be required with little or no advanced notice, to travel by automobile, commercial airliner, or other common mode of transportation, in state or out of state, and stay overnight one or more weeks at a time. 
• Position works in contact with a more experienced inspector and the lead inspector improving communication related skills and knowledge sets until the appropriate program managers, training inspector(s) and the supervisor determine that the position is competent and possess the necessary skills and knowledge to work alone on specific assignments.

Other Duties as Assigned:

• Section Chief may assign the position to other duties to fulfill the mission of the division. 
• Position duties may include surveying various areas within the state for presence of insect, weed, plant disease or other declared pests; cooperative work with USDA or other state or federal agencies; to benefit or protect the state from pests; release of biocontrol agents like predatory wasps or weed eating insects; pesticide incident management; and assisting other divisions of the department with their respective missions. 
• Position may assist in training other inspectors regarding other duties and related topics.

Position will travel overnight including up to one or more consecutive weeks at a time approximately 30-35% of the work year; and lift up to 50 pounds.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This position is fully remote 
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This position is advertised in line with the Governor’s executive order focused on skills-based hiring practices that focuses on the knowledge, skills, and abilities specific to the job and aligns the hiring process accordingly. Skills-based hiring reduces potential barriers for applicants and allows for reduced bias in the hiring process by providing a direct description of skills that are unique to the duties assigned to the position with a recognition that the applicant may have developed these skills through education, training, or past experiences. 

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Salary Range: 

BIWEEKLY
$2,286.92 - $2,744.31
ANNUALLY
$59,460.00 - $71,352.00

Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.

Minimum Requirements:

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• Six (6)  years of professional experience in a regulatory capacity, and/or professional pesticide related activities.

• A combination of related education and/or relevant experience in an occupation related to regulatory capacity, and/or professional pesticide related activities. equal to Six (6) years
• Part-time experience will prorated.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Relevant years of state service;
• Background in Investigations 
• Background in Inspections
• Bilingual in Spanish 

• Must possess and maintain a valid Colorado Driver's License with the ability to independently travel.
• Circumstances may require position to work outside of regular business hours.
• Position will travel overnight including up to one or more consecutive weeks at a time approximately 30-35% of the work year.
• Position will need to be able to lift up to 50 pounds. 

• Clear understanding and experience in organic rules and certifications.
• Intuitive sense of agricultural practices
• Conflict negotiation skills
• Ability to take initiative in stressful situation.'
• Organizational and Planning Skills
• Act independently on daily responsibilities.
• Knowledge of Pesticide Application
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and public speaking skills.
• Project management skills: ability to multitask, problem-solve, prioritize, create systems and processes and collaborate with and engage others.
• 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.

• 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 [email protected] 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.

Supplemental Information

Benefits

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program.  Please click the following link for detailed information:  www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits 

Please note that each agency's contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.
 

Agency Information

EmployerState of ColoradoAddress See the full announcement by clicking
the "Printer" icon located above the job title
Location varies by announcement, Colorado, -- Website https://careers.colorado.gov/