• Job Description

  Req#: 110468
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  Competitive Salary: $55,578 - $73,445 annually

  Who We Are:

  Agriculture is the heart of it all in Ohio!

  The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects all Ohioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving our natural resources and supporting farmers. ODA is cabinet-level agency reporting to Governor DeWine. Food and agriculture are Ohio’s number one industry, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. Ohio is home to more than 75,000 farms, with agriculture touching every part of the state. Not only does Ohio rank number one in Swiss cheese production, but we are top three in the nation’s egg production and fifth in soybean production. Ohio’s farmers impact those well beyond state lines, feeding families across the nation.

  ODA’s beautiful campus is located in Reynoldsburg on 158-acres. Not only is parking free, but food trucks frequent the campus for coffee and lunch.

  You’ll find great coworkers here, who are experts in their field and care about the work they do.

  What We Do:

  Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculture means strengthening our state with the help of our 19 divisions programs. Our staff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. We protect Ohio’s farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all while keeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are home to the state’s top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewide lab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you pay for through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, and protects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

  As a member of team ODA, you will be working with people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a difference for all Ohioans.

  Click the link below to see what it's like to be an ODA Inspector!

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MiEj1M-ibU

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  What You’ll Do:

  No ag background, no problem! You'll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.

  The Ohio Department of Agriculture is currently seeking candidates for a Plant Health Inspector, Plant Health Division, in the Pest Control section headquartered in Cuyahoga, Erie, Huron, Lorain or Medina County

  This position is responsible for:

  • Conducts inspections of nursery stock producer and dealer facilities, garden centers, greenhouses, retail stores, plant producers, port or shipping hub environs, sawmills, wholesalers, crop fields, orchards, forests and/or landscapes in assigned territory for native and non-native/exotic and/or quarantine plant pests such as Gypsy Moth, Walnut Twig beetle, Sudden Oak Death, Asian Long Beetle, Ralstonia, Hemlock Woody Adelgid, (e.g., determines presence or absence and severity of pest, effects on plant viability and corrective measures)
  • Assures compliance with relevant laws and regulations regarding condition, propagation, sale and distribution of nursery stock (e.g. properly labeling, legally imported/transported, carries out regulatory actions such as stop sale, quarantine, seizure, restriction, reporting and eradication of pests
  • Recommends whether grower's application for license should be granted, restricted or denied
  • Inspects agricultural commodities such as logs and lumber, plant material entering international commerce for insects, mites and disease as specified by importing country and issues phyto-sanitary certificates and assists operators/owners/growers/exporters in solving problems discovered in inspections assists and facilitates exporters in meeting plant quarantine import requirements into foreign countries
  • Researches and completes federal phyto-sanitary forms for exporting agricultural crops
  • Maintains documentation on post-entry quarantined plant material from foreign countries
  • Assists in the enforcement and monitoring of federal regulations regarding quarantine/exotic pests
  • Participates in implementation of emergency programs to eradicate, suppress and slow spread of an introduction of an invasive pest population, conducts, field surveys to determine life stages of species and surveys for damage
  • Conducts prep work and monitoring for pest control measures such as pesticide applications, fumigations, etc.
  • Assists in coordinating activities of seasonal or project trappers and surveyors in exotic pest programs
  • Marks trees for pre-cutting eradication
  • Acts as first responder in conjunction with federal agencies for swift eradication and destruction of plant pests deemed homeland security threats.
  • Prepares daily, weekly and monthly reports of findings for all inspections completed
  • Issues restrictions or stop-sale orders on defective stock
  • Maintains and updates manuals
  • Collects evidence for prosecution
  • Checks for current licenses for producers and dealers
  • Works with local, state and federal agencies as required to assure compliance, identify, locate, charge and prosecute violations/violators
  • Presents technical plant health information to specialized audiences
  • Acts as liaison to governmental agencies such as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ), Homeland Security (HS) and/or Customs and Border
  • Attends technical trainings, meetings, workshops, seminars, etc.
  • Testifies at hearings and court proceedings as a subject matter expert

  This position shall be filled in accordance with the provisions of the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement. ODA bargaining unit members have selection rights before non-bargaining unit members. All other applications will only be considered if an internal bargaining unit applicant is not selected for this position.

  We Support Diversity and Inclusion:

  ODA values its internal diversity and pledges to cultivate an inclusive and engaging environment for all employees where differences are embraced and celebrated. The agency commits to building a workforce that champions the advancement of DEI principles and initiatives. The values on which these efforts are founded are respect, empathy, transparency, equality, and equal access.

  What’s in it for you:

  At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

  Medical Coverage

  • Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.

  Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

  • Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.

  Time Away from Work and Work/Life Balance

  • Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
  • 11 paid holidays per year
  • Childbirth/Adoption leave

  Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

  • OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of his/her salary towards his/her retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

  Deferred Compensation

  • The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

  Maternity Benefits

  · Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options. Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.

  · Examples of services now covered by network providers at 100% include:

  o Prenatal care, including physician visits and examinations.

  o Home health care services designated as maternity care (for expectant members on bed rest).

  o Inpatient claims for all types of delivery.

  o Inpatient NICU claims, from birth through discharge.

  o Postpartum care, including office visits for follow-up, and procedures/treatments directly related to maternity.

  · Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression). Medical services provided by non-network providers will be processed at the applicable coinsurance, deductible, and out-of-pocket limits.

  · Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay. The State of Ohio has collaborated with the prescription drug third-party administrator (OptumRx) to provide a list of covered medications that can be approved for zero copay via prior authorization from providers.

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  At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

  • Medical Coverage
  • Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
  • Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
  • Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
  • Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
  • Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

  *Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

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  Completion of undergraduate core coursework in agricultural field (e.g., agronomy, biology, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, environmental science)

  AND 1 year experience in agricultural field commensurate with duties to be performed as described on the approved position description on file

  AND 3 months experience in operation of personal computer

  AND valid driver’s license.
  
  -Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

  
  
  Job Skills: Plant Health

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  If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, please notify the assigned recruiter.
  
  Unusual Working Conditions:

  Works outside exposed to varying weather conditions; exposed to machinery, dirt and dust, animal filth; climbs heights of up to 130 feet; exposed to insects and subject to insect stings, ticks and poison ivy; requires overnight travel; exposed to seed treatment and insecticides.

  Training and Development Required to Remain in the Classification After Employment:

  Must obtain federal credentials commensurate with program area to be assigned as per approved position description on file (e.g., USEPA, FIFRA, FDA, USDA ACO). AND for positions assigned to Grain, Feed, and Seed program: must master Exam Hand Ohio software program and other associated computer applications.

  For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact:
  Linda Roberts
  Linda.Roberts@agri.ohio.gov

  The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

  The State of Ohio is a drug-free Workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana.

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  Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

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  The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

• About the company

  Ohio is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Of the fifty states, it is the 34th-largest by area, and with a population of nearly 11.8 million, is the seventh-most populous and tenth-most densely populated.

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