Agriculture Environment Inspector

Agriculture Environment Inspector (240009BZ)

Organization

: Agriculture

Agency Contact Name and Information: Keary Sorgini – keary.sorgini@agri.ohio.gov

Unposting Date

: Oct 10, 2024, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location

: United States of America-OHIO-Licking County

Other Locations

: United States of America-OHIO-Perry County, United States of America-OHIO-Coshocton County, United States of America-OHIO-Wyandot County, United States of America-OHIO-Knox County, United States of America-OHIO-Holmes County, United States of America-OHIO-Guernsey County, United States of America-OHIO-Richland County, United States of America-OHIO-Morrow County, United States of America-OHIO-Tuscarawas County, United States of America-OHIO-Wayne County, United States of America-OHIO-Crawford County, United States of America-OHIO-Stark County, United States of America-OHIO-Muskingum County, United States of America-OHIO-Marion County, United States of America-OHIO-Delaware County, United States of America-OHIO-Ashland County, United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County, United States of America-OHIO-Fairfield County-Lancaster

Compensation: $26.72-$35.31: Based on Qualifications

Schedule

: Full-time

Classified Indicator: Classified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

: Plant Health

Technical Skills: Agriculture, Environmental Services, Public Health, Plant Health, Soil & Water Conservation

Professional Skills: Attention to Detail, Decision Making, Interpreting Data, Organizing and Planning, Observation

Agency Overview

Competitive Salary: $55,578-$73,445 Annually

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 is 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.

The Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting (DLEP) is charged with regulating the construction and operation of Ohio’s largest livestock and poultry facilities using science-based guidelines that protect the environment while allowing the facility to be productive. DLEP rules regulate how Ohio’s largest livestock and poultry farms manage manure, waste water, and nutrients, as well as control flies, rodents and other pests. 

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

The Division of Livestock Environmental Permitting (DLEP) staff include registered professional engineers and experienced livestock environmental inspectors. DLEP is currently seeking candidates to fill an Agriculture Environment Inspector position. This position is responsible for:

• Conducts inspections of permitted livestock facilities, investigates pollution & nuisance complaints, & non-permitted facilities, conducts trainings on permit requirements & emergency response, & enforces state & federal laws, rules & regulations regarding use of agricultural nutrients as it pertains to environmental impact
• Inspects livestock, poultry, & related facilities for compliance with state & federal laws, rules & regulations (i.e., Ohio Revised Code [ORC] 903 & Ohio Administrative Code [OAC] 901:10)
• Travels to various locations in assigned district to inspect large concentrated animal feeding facilities (CAFF’s)
• Reviews livestock facility permits to operate (PTO) (e.g., evaluates facility records & ensures compliance with OAC 901:10)
• Ensures compliance to biosecurity protocols
• Inspects new facilities/construction sites
• Evaluates land application of manure & nutrients (e.g., inspects fields to ensure proper utilization); provides effective communication with crop farmers &/or facility owners (e.g., educates facility operators &/or facility employees of rules & requirements)
• Reviews operational processes & identifies changes since last inspection
• Investigates pollution & nuisance complaints (e.g., flies, odor, manure run-off, overpopulated facility, unauthorized building or construction, mortality management issues, discharges, potential for discharges, & spills)
• Locates environmentally sensitive areas identified in nuisance complaints; develops maps outlining location & surroundings of environmentally sensitive areas identified in nuisance complaints; conducts on-site investigations; determines immediate remedial actions
• Investigates non-permitted (NP) facilities: conducts site visits; determines legality of NP sites; reviews code requirements & advises NP facility of compliance process; conducts trainings on permit requirements
• Enforces state & federal laws, rules & regulations regarding use of agricultural nutrients & potential impact to environment as it relates to water quality
• Operates laptop computer & related software to generate inspection reports & uses digital camera to photograph pertinent visual dynamics (e.g., facility design, flaws, & complaint/non-compliance items) for inspection files
• Participates in agricultural environment enforcement activities: develops environmental enforcement cases; reviews laws (e.g., Ohio Revised Code [ORC] & Ohio Administrative Code [OAC]) to ensure appropriateness of enforcement actions; collects & verifies facts for violation or permits; consults with supervisor & assists other agencies (e.g., Ohio Attorney General Office [AGO], Bureau of Criminal Investigation [BCI], Ohio Environmental Protection Agency [EPA]) with environmental enforcement investigations; assesses compliance history & develops penalty assessments for non-compliance; & participates in settlement &/or environmental enforcement hearings.
• Assists in administering Certified Livestock Manager (CLM) program & ensures compliance with rules & permits & maintains lists of active CLMs
• Responds to inquiries about CLM program (e.g., rules, recordkeeping, training), conducts CLM training, develops program overview presentations & delivers presentations to various groups/audiences (e.g., environmental advocacy, livestock production groups, other state & local agencies)
• Informs facilities of permit requirements & travels to other districts as required to cover other inspectors territory
• Assists in providing emergency response trainings
• Attends meetings, seminars, & trainings (e.g., field days, equipment demonstrations, educational meetings, Farm Science Review, CLM training, National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System [NPDES] training)
• Communicates with Inter-departmental attorneys, engineers, & other ODA Divisions (e.g. Communications, Legal, Animal Health)

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.

Why Work for the State of OhioAt 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.

Qualifications

4 years’ experience in agricultural &/or environmental related field

AND

Valid driver’s license to operate state vehicle

OR

Completion of undergraduate core coursework in agriculture or environmental related field of study including courses in animal science &/or agronomy

AND

2 years’ experience in agricultural &/or environmental related field

AND

Valid driver’s license to operate state vehicle

OR

Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications For Employment noted above

Supplemental InformationIf you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, please notify the assigned recruiter.

Unusual Working Conditions:

Works outside exposed to varying temperatures & weather conditions; exposed to odors, waste & noise of livestock/poultry; possible exposure to zoonotic diseases & may require prophylactic immunization; works non-standard work week, potentially after-hours or weekends; requires travel. 

Training & Development Required to Remain in Classification After Employment:

Obtain mortality compost certification & Incident Command System (ICS) certification within 12 months of employment. 

For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact:

Keary Sorgini

Keary.Sorgini@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). The recommended candidate for this position will be required to take a drug screen as part of their approval process. A candidate who tests positive for illegal or improperly used controlled drugs will not be hired.

ADA StatementOhio 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.

Drug-Free WorkplaceThe 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.

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