TDA - Inspector for Biosecurity Enforcement/Road Stations (68034)

INSPECTOR FOR BIOSECURITY ENFORCEMENT & ROAD STATIONS

Salary Information:     $4,800.00 - $5,225.00/MO – B20
State Classification:     1325 – Inspector V
FLSA Status:                    Non-exempt
Posting Number:           26-68034-5R
Location:                         Seguin, TX

HOW TO APPLY
Apply online via CAPPS. Applicants applying in WIT must complete the supplemental questions to be considered for the position. To complete the supplemental questions, go to CAPPS Recruit.

WHO ARE WE 
The Texas Department of Agriculture’s key objectives are to promote production agriculture, consumer protection, economic development and healthy living. Our agency operates agricultural inspection stations strategically located throughout the state which aim to protect agriculture and ensure a safe food supply in the state of Texas. The main purpose of our inspectors is to prevent plant pests and diseases and unsafe food from entering Texas.

WHAT YOU’LL DO
The Inspector for Biosecurity Enforcement and Road Stations will perform advanced (senior-level) inspection work for the Texas Department of Agriculture’s (TDA) Biosecurity Enforcement and Road Stations program. This position will conduct a variety of road station, destination, and market blitz agricultural inspections administered by TDA to contribute to the enforcement of agriculture laws and regulations for consumer protection in the State of Texas. Seasoned at looking for agricultural products that are not in compliance with state and federal plant quarantine regulations; agricultural products that have not been inspected; agricultural pests; plants carry diseases; unsafe food products; and biological threats. This position will work under minimal supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Note: Employees at this level are considered senior level and may perform the full range of work identified in the levels preceding their own, may train other inspectors, and/or may coordinate or oversee that work for others as directed. Employees at this level have significant experience and expertise in conducting inspections.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
You will assist the management chain with planning and coordinating the schedule and workflow of inspectors and inspections.

Coordinate and ensure that the management chain and Agriculture and Consumer Protection (ACP) Plant Quality Program staff are kept informed of all issues related to inspections.

Perform advanced road station, destination, and market blitz agricultural inspections administered by TDA, which may include some or all of the following areas:
o    inspecting agricultural shipments at road station inspection locations for pests and diseases, enforce quarantine requirements; 
o    conducting destination and market blitz inspections at nurseries and other locations receiving potentially threatening quarantine host articles or species; 
o    inspecting produce, nursery plants, trees, shrubs and other agricultural products for disease and insects;
o    collecting biological samples, when required;
o    collecting and remit fees to include licensing and late fees; and
issuing stop-sales, notices of seizure, findings reports, enforcement actions and collect samples.

Note that Inspections may be conducted of vehicles, commercial trailers, agricultural products, agricultural commodities, and soil and plants at fixed road station sites.

Train and provide guidance and leadership to inspectors on how to complete accurate and timely inspections. Ensure that inspections that are completed by inspectors are thorough and all related reports are completed with data integrity and violations are documented properly.

Educate travelers, producers, and transporters about TDA biosecurity requirements.

Complete accurate, detailed reports related to inspections, travel vouchers, and mileage reports; complete various daily, weekly, and end-of-month reports; and prepare a variety of required correspondence.

Operate and maintain inspection station equipment, including mobile data collection devices and surveillance systems.

Respond to potential pest or disease alerts following incident response protocols throughout the state, which constitutes on-call status or when activated by the Administrator for Biosecurity Enforcement and Road Stations, Deputy Director, or Chief of Staff to prevent and mitigate further infestation. Examples include the threat of The New world Screwworm and other Agroterrorism attacks.

Train staff on the use of Performing Inspections, Enforcement and Recruitment (PIER), Bringing Resource Integration and Data Together for Greater Efficiency (BRIDGE) and business intelligence reports.

Represent the agency in a positive manner when dealing with constituents.

Follow all TDA policies and procedures.

Perform other duties as assigned.
 

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS FOR THE POSITION (The application must state how each of the following qualifications are met - resumes do not take the place of the required state of Texas application which must be completed in CAPPS or WIT.)

Bachelor’s degree (One year of work experience related to the primary responsibilities may substitute for one year of college.)

Minimum four (4) years’ extensive experience performing complex agricultural inspections and investigations.

This position is primarily located in Seguin, TX at a Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV) Road Station.
o    Primary work locations will cover central Texas (surrounding the Seguin area). 
o    Required to work and travel across the state to work at the mobile biosecurity enforcement locations, as needed. TDA may provide motor pool transportation for business needs only. 
o    Required to work shifts outside of normal business hours including night and weekend shifts and being on-call. Hours may vary based on the needs of the agency.

Valid Texas driver’s license and an acceptable driving record.

Education Substitution: A high school diploma and two years’ full-time work experience related to the essential duties may substitute for a degree.

PREFERRED
Experience serving in a lead, coordinator, senior or related role.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
Knowledge of laws, codes, standards, and regulations related to the area of responsibility; the principles and methods of field inspection and quality control; and business practices in regulated occupations and industries.

Skill in conducting inspections; in providing customer service excellence to both internal and external customers; in determining proper courses of action; in using instruments or tools necessary to perform inspections; in using applicable computer programs and databases; and in maintaining records and written reports.

Ability to prepare reports, gather and analyze data; plan, organize and work independently, as well as within a team environment; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; exercise sound judgment and discretion; and maintain the highest level of confidentiality.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS & WORKING CONDITIONS
Involves working outdoors and exposure to extremes in temperatures (including high-low temperature changes and variable climatic conditions such as rain, fog, dust, fumes, gases, and odors). The noise level in the work environment is moderate to loud. Involves extensive moving and remaining stationary; walking (up to 7 miles per day); standing; pulling and pushing; kneeling, stooping and bending; safely lifting and/or carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds; operating heavy equipment/machinery; safely handling hazardous and/or flammable materials; and exposure to dust. Involves safely operating a state vehicle and driving for long distances; working extended hours, some evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position is expected to rotate shift, including day, evening, and night. May involve travel, up to 100% of the work period, and some occasionally overnight. TDA will provide this position with a uniform and safety equipment, as is required for the position.

WORK SCHEDULE - VARIES
o    8-hour shift day, evening, and night – hours will vary depending on business needs. May work extended hours (past 40 hours).
o    Monday to Friday – may require working on weekends and holidays depending on business needs.
o    Expected to be on call with little notice. On-call shifts will begin on Friday at 6:00 p.m. and end on Monday morning at 7:00 a.m.
o    Ability to travel all over the state with little notice – expect to travel up to 100% of the work period.

H-1B Visa Sponsorship 
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa.

BENEFITS
The State of Texas offers a variety of benefits for you and your family that are comprehensive and, on average, make up about one-third of total compensation. Benefits include:
    Retirement Plan        Paid Group Health & Life Insurance for employees 
    Paid Holidays             Paid Vacation Leave
    Paid Sick Leave          Longevity Pay
    Dental                         Vision
    Dependent Optional Life Insurance        Voluntary AD&D Insurance
    Dependent Health & Life Insurance        Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. A skills exercise may be conducted at the time of the interview. 

Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls.  If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Careers Section , you may check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and then selecting My Submissions. To be considered for the position, applicants must complete additional supplemental questions, optionally provide EEO information including how you heard about the job, and provide an electronic signature in the CAPPS Career Section.

*A valid government-issued driver’s license, which is recognized by the Texas Department of Public Safety and in good standing, and an acceptable driving record are required. TDA will verify this information with the Texas Department of Public Safety. Applicants with a driver’s license not issued by the State of Texas should obtain and be prepared to provide a copy of their current driving record on or before their first day

Background Checks: A criminal conviction records check is required for applicants who are selected for a position.

**Foreign Credentials: upload an evaluation of your coursework if you have obtained a degree(s) from a school outside of the United States; otherwise, we cannot give you credit for your degree. Some organizations that provide evaluation services are:

Foreign Credential Services of America
1910 Justin Lane, Austin, TX 78757-2411
Phone: 512-459-8428

SpanTran: The Evaluation Company
2400 Augusta Drive, Suite 451 Houston, TX 77057
Phone: 713-266-8805

Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 9203 College Station, TX 77842
Phone: 512-528-0908

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO): TDA is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, military status, or protected activity.

Reasonable Accommodations: If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview or an HR representative at 512-463-7423.  Whenever possible, please give the hiring or HR representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.

TDA participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security, with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.

Military and Former Foster Child Employment Preference: TDA complies with the provisions of the veterans and former foster child employment preference acts. Please contact our Human Resources-Veterans Liaison at (512) 463-7454 for assistance.

Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at Compliance, Inspection and Investigation MOS Codes.