Address:  Environmental/Plant Services Division / Compliance
11110 W. Washington Street, #450, Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: 21.20 - 21.20 

Grade: 17

Closing Date:  October 18, 2024

The Department of Agriculture is currently hiring a Pest Control Inspector II for the Environmental Services Division. The position is located in the Phoenix office and will report to the Environmental Services Division Compliance Program.

Under general supervision, the primary responsibility of the Pest Control Inspector 2 is to conduct a full range of inspections. The inspections will be at commercial and private businesses that apply pesticides in agricultural settings; they will also be responsible to conduct inspections at pesticide dealers or pesticide production establishments, to ensure compliance with state and federal pesticide labeling and pesticide use regulations. In addition, inspections will take place at any location selling, distributing or manufacturing animal feeds, fertilizers or seeds.

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Make recommendations of corrective procedures when appropriate.
• Collection of pesticides samples and evidence gathering.
• Detailed narrative report writing and use of computers equipped with databases and word processing software.
• Verify basic compliance with agricultural safety laws; collect samples; review labels; and investigate incidents related to feed, fertilizer and seed for the Non-Food Quality Assurance Program.
• Drive a State Vehicle.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
• Federal and state laws, pertaining to animal feeds, fertilizers, seed, pesticides and pesticide use.
• Federal worker protection standards; occupational, environmental, public health and safety concerns including regulations and statutes pursuant to the ARS and other regulatory authority jurisdictions.
• Basic toxicological effects of pesticides on human and animal health as well as the workers using the chemicals including interpretation of labels; knowledge and understanding of the pesticide rules including pesticide use, regulations and laws listed in the ARS, AAC, FIFRA and CFR.

Skills in:
• Written/ Verbal communication.
• Use of computer and software programs.
• Maintain confidential working relationships.
• Investigation techniques.
• Technical report writing

Ability to:
• Think analytically and solve problems.
• Communicate with various external and internal customers.
• Tactful use of written/verbal communication.
• Prioritize work assignments.
• Work independently.

Bilingual candidates who speak and read Spanish
Minimum of forty-five (45) semester units (67.5 quarter units) of college level curricula in agriculture or the sciences as prescribed in ARS R3-3-207.

Valid Driver's License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Administration offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Mandatory condition of Employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.27%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at mmeek@azda.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.