• Job Description

  Req#: 39151

  Agency : Department of Agriculture
  Closing Date/Time: 07/17/2024
  Salary: $5405 - $7490 / anticipated starting monthly salary
  Job Type: Salaried
  County: Cook; DuPage
  Number of Vacancies: 1
  Plan/BU: RC029

  This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

  All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

  Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

  Posting Identification Number 39151

  This position serves in a regional capacity. Person s serving in this role are required to assume residency in one of the counties identified under the Conditions of Employment section which include: Cook and DuPage County and will be required to work from their home location as a base of daily operational headquarters to service their designated worksites.

  Essential Functions

  • Travels to investigate pesticide complaints or incidents, violations and accidents.
  • Responsible for planning and conducting training, testing and licensing programs for pesticide applicators and operators. May travel to complete these duties.
  • Travels to conduct examinations of nursery and greenhouse stock for insect pests and plant disease.
  • Travels to inspect marketplace establishments and retail stores for pesticide inventory, label review, illegal pesticides and damaged containers.
  • Responsible for planning and conducting statewide Federal Worker Protection Standards (WPS) programs.
  • Travels to conduct quarantine programs in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture and other federal, state and local organizations.
  • Screen plant commodity shipments for compliance with importing countries and state laws..
  • .Maintain Authorized Certification Official (ACO) accreditation as well as U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) inspection credentials.
  • Communicate above duties with Spanish speaking regulated community .
  • Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

  Minimum Qualifications

  • Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, preferably with coursework in entomology, horticulture, botany, agronomy or related fields.
  • Requires six (6) months’ professional experience in a related field or the successful completion of an agency approved training program.
  • Requires the ability to speak, read and write Spanish at a colloquial skill level.

  Preferred Qualifications

  • Prefers working knowledge of the effects of pesticides on plants, people and environment.
  • Prefers elementary knowledge of federal and state laws and regulations governing the use, potential misuse, storage, and registration of pesticides.
  • Prefers elementary knowledge of industry practices and methods related to the nursery, greenhouse and green industry with emphasis in the control and movement of plants and plant parts.
  • Prefers elementary knowledge of basic principles and practices of insect pests, plant diseases, and related investigative methods and controls.

  Conditions of Employment

  • Requires a valid driver's license.
  • Requires ability to travel and be on travel status when indicated.
  • Requires the ability to drive for long periods of time.
  • Requires the ability to lift and carry minimum of 50 lbs of weight.
  • Requires the ability to work in environments with dust, work outside during all seasons and handle products such as fertilizer and agri-chemicals.
  • Requires the ability to obtain accreditation as an Authorized Certification Official (ACO) and federal environmental protection agency inspector within twenty-four (24) months of hire.
  • Requires residency in Cook County or DuPage County.
  • Requires the ability to successfully pass a background check.
  • Requires the ability to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.

  Work Hours: 8:00am-4:30pm/Monday-Friday
  Work Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
  Agency Contact:

  Bureau of Human Resources

  Email: AGR.HumanResoruces@illinois.gov

  Phone #:217-785-5099

  Posting Group: Environmental & Natural Resources

  This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

  The Illinois Department of Agriculture (AGR) administers an annual budget of more than $100 million and employs more than 300 people statewide, with several hundred more temporary employees hired during the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the state's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the state's horse racing program.

  AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

  AGR offers a robust benefit package including;

  • Monday-Friday work schedule
  • Flexible work schedules in many program areas
  • Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
  • 12 Weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
  • Pension Plan
  • Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
  • Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
  • Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service
  • Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date
  • Thirteen - Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually

  If this opportunity appeals to you, please apply today!

  APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

  Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

  If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.

  State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.

  Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

  If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

  State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

  Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

  The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

  • donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
  • systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

• About the company

  The Governor of Illinois is the chief executive of the State of Illinois, and the various agencies and departments over which the officer has jurisdiction, as prescribed in the state constitution.

Notice