Plant Industry Inspection Technician
Job details
- Location
- Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
- Work type
- Hybrid
- Compensation
- $48,818/yr
- Posted
- 3 days ago
- Apply on
- governmentjobs.com
About this role
THE POSITION
NOTE: THIS IS A REPOSTING OF (I-2026-46074) WHICH WAS PREVIOUSLY OPEN FROM MARCH 27, 2026 TO APRIL, 9, 2026. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS DO NOT NEED TO REAPPLY.
Are you looking to advance your career in agricultural sciences while helping protect Pennsylvania’s plant resources and ensuring consumer safety across the Commonwealth? The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is seeking motivated candidates for the role of Plant Industry Inspection Technician. In this position, you will conduct technical inspections and carry out enforcement and service work related to agronomic products and pesticides within the Bureau of Plant Industry. If you are ready to make a meaningful impact and grow your career, apply today and join our team.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
In this role, you will conduct technical inspections, enforcement activities, and service work related to Pennsylvania’s Phorid Fly quarantine program. Your responsibilities include inspecting mushroom-growing facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations, investigating consumer complaints, and assisting with emergency response efforts when needed. You will also play an important part in verifying that pesticide operators follow proper quality control procedures and maintain strong manufacturing practices. Your work helps safeguard agricultural operations and supports the overall health and safety of the Commonwealth’s plant industry.
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Limited Term employment (8 1/2 month duration), without benefits.
- Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
- This position will be home headquartered if applicant lives in Chester, Delaware, Philadelphia, Berks, or Montgomery County.
- Applicant will be required to report to 1015 Bridge Road, Collegeville, Pennsylvania 19426 for non-inspection/office work.
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in the agricultural or biological sciences, which includes 3 credits in chemistry, 3 credits in plant science, and 3 credits in animal science; or
- An equivalent combination of experience and training which includes 3 credits in chemistry, 3 credits in plant science, and 3 credits in animal science.
- Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree/credits.
Special Requirement:
- This position requires possession of an active motor vehicle license.
Other Requirements:
- You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency Guidelines.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
This position is subject to the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement or memorandum of understanding.
You must be eligible for selection in accordance with merit system employment regulations.
Recruitment Methods:
- Applicants must meet one of the following methods to be considered for this vacancy:
- Promotion Without Exam
- Reassignment (Only current civil service employees in the same agency who hold the same or similar job title, with the same maximum salary, within the same occupational group or where there is a logical career movement, will qualify for reassignment.)
- Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and
- (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.
- Transfer (Only current civil service employees who hold the same job title will qualify for transfer to another agency.)
- Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and
- (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.
- Reinstatement (Former civil service employees may only be reinstated to the job title from which they resigned. Current civil service employees are not eligible through reinstatement.)
Promotion Without Examination (PWOE):
- Class Restrictions for Promotion Without Examination Only - You must have or have held regular civil service status in one of the following classifications
- Plant Industry Field Technician
- Employees who previously held regular civil service status in the job title of the position being filled are also eligible for promotion without examination.
- The promotion without examination requirements are issued in accordance with merit system employment regulations.
- Meritorious service is defined as (a) the absence of any discipline above the level of written reprimand during the 12 months preceding the closing date of the posting, and (b) the last regular or probationary performance evaluation showing an overall rating of satisfactory or higher.
- Applicants must have a minimum of one year in the next lower class by the posting closing date with no break in service.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
- 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
Benefits
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
Supplemental Questions
- Yes
- No
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link.
- Yes
- No
If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visiting https://www.naces.org and clicking the Evaluation Services link.
- Yes
- No
- 4 years or more
- 3 but less than 4 years
- 2 but less than 3 years
- 1 but less than 2 years
- Less than 1 year
- None
Required Question
Agency Information
EmployerCommonwealth of PennsylvaniaAddress 613 North StreetHarrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120 Website http://www.employment.pa.gov