Title: Regional Supv - Plant Industry #00088

State Role Title: Agricultural Specialist V

Hiring Range: $57,733 - $79,568 Annually

Pay Band: 5

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

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 qualified individual to serve as a Regional Supervisor in the Office of Plant Industry Services (OPIS). The selected individual will be responsible for supervising full-time, field-based plant protection staff and wage employees in the Southeast region of Virginia, which includes 38 counties and independent cities. The Regional Supervisor will organize, direct, track and report on the work of staff that are responsible for carrying out plant protection inspections to include export certification, nursery grower and dealer inspections, plant pest surveys, apiary inspections and noxious weed control programs. Additional duties include conducting performance evaluations; training staff on protocols for conducting inspections; submitting program reports, regional updates, employee paperwork; and approving timesheets and mileage reports. The Regional Supervisor will communicate directly with the Field Operations Manager, Program Manager, CAPS Coordinator, and State Apiarist to accurately execute program activities; and will conduct plant protection inspections as needed. The selected individual will establish and work from a home office and will be required to live in or within a reasonable distance to the assigned territory. The home office must have reliable access to a network for mobile communications. A state vehicle will be provided for business use only and must remain parked within the assigned territory. The use of a personal vehicle may be required if a state vehicle is not available. Occasional overnight travel is required.

Minimum Qualifications

Comprehensive knowledge of entomology, horticulture, plant pathology, forestry, or a similar agricultural-related field along with any related laws, regulations, and management practices. Proven ability to organize, plan, and execute program activities; to supervise field staff through assigning duties, scheduling, evaluating performance, and coordinating program activities; to interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, co-workers, employees, landowners, business owners, and the public; and to complete administrative duties in a timely and accurate manner. Oral and written communication skills with the ability to effectively discuss program activities with the public, groups, organizations, etc. Proficient in MS Office suite, computers and other electronic equipment and devices. Experience in a supervisory or leadership position within a regulatory environment similar to plant industries. Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. Must possess or be able to obtain a VA Pesticide Applicator’s License in Category 9-Regulatory Pest Control (within 9 months of hire) and a USDA Authorized Certifying Official (ACO) accreditation (within 18 months of hire). The selected applicant must be able to meet the travel and physical demands requirements of this position which include prolonged driving, walking, bending, stooping and lifting up to 50 pounds with or without accommodations, and working around potential exposures to bee stings, pesticides, fertilizers, plant allergens and other agricultural related chemicals as well as working in all types of weather conditions. H.S. Diploma/GED required.

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training, and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities to include botany, horticulture, plant pathology entomology, ecology, weed science, or another related field.

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: 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.