Title: Pesticide Safety and Certification Lead Coordinator #00979

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $44,192 - $67,000 Annually

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: VDACS CENTRAL HEADQUARTERS

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Lead Coordinator for the Office of Pesticide Services (OPS) in the Division of Consumer Protection. Under the direction of the Certification, Licensing, Registration & Training (CLRT) Supervisor, this position will supervise staff in the CLRT Section. Supervisory responsibilities include recruitment, staff development, evaluation, and approval of administrative aspects of employment. They will also coordinate the applicator certification program, including exam and manual development; implement the worker protection program; and be responsible for pesticide safety outreach and hazard communication activities. Activities include monitoring worker protection standard inspections and recertification monitoring reports; exam and manual development in partnership with Virginia Tech; and pesticide safety and Worker Protections Standard outreach and education. Additional duties include providing technical assistance and guidance to the Department on pesticide related issues; evaluating and recommending actions concerning current consumer protection laws and regulations; and routinely communicating with Virginia’s industries, federal/state officials and law enforcement organizations, special interest groups, and the public regarding program services and regulatory requirements. Occasional and intermittent travel is necessary to fulfil the duties of this role. Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth’s telework policy.

Minimum Qualifications

Thorough knowledge of standard office, supervisory, and basic finance practices in addition to familiarity involving data and information tracking and record-keeping. Pesticide knowledge in various disciplines to include toxicology, ecology, regulatory and risk/benefits as well as effective project management techniques. Experience coordinating a regulatory program to include quality control and hazard communications; enforcing and interpreting laws and regulations; and conducting analyses of issues. The demonstrated ability to effectively supervise, evaluate, and coach staff. Experience developing content for outreach materials; making audio-visual presentations; public speaking and with exhibits. The demonstrated ability to effectively communicate related laws and regulations to the regulated industry and the public both orally and in writing while presenting a positive and professional image in a fast-paced environment and by using effective customer service skills; to independently draft and develop correspondence and reports; and to plan, organize, and adjust work priorities. Computer proficiency with the full MS Office Suite and Oracle or .net based databases in addition to knowledge and familiarity with complex database functions, data entry, and retrieval. HS Diploma/GED required

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities or technical expertise to include knowledge of chemistry, biology, environmental science, or related subjects. Knowledge of pesticide laws and standards in addition to regulations pertaining to the certification of pesticide applicators, worker safety, the agricultural worker protection standard, and pesticide fees as well as basic human resource related practices and policies especially those related to state government. Knowledge of Virginia’s legislative process and of the Virginia Pesticide Control Act, Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) and associated state and federal regulations would be helpful and beneficial to the role.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.