Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager

Job #AES--2.12.26-TW
This position is located within the Office of Agricultural Environmental Sciences in East Baton Rouge Parish.

Ready to make a meaningful impact on Louisianas workforce and organizational culture Join the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry as an Agricultural Environmental Specialist Manager. This position serves in the Office of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry managing technical duties related to pesticide horticulture Seed industrial hemp and agricultural chemistry programs for the AES Baton Rouge District.

Grow your career with opportunities in leadership professional development and specialized advancement opportunities.

Why Join Us
Contribute to a mission-driven organization that serves communities across Louisiana
Enjoy competitive pay and excellent benefits
Be part of a collaborative inclusive and supportive team

LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP) providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.

Seven years of experience in agriculture chemistry natural resource management structural pest control or inspection or enforcement for compliance with agricultural environmental or public health laws rules or regulations; OR

A bachelors degree in forestry an agricultural biological chemical environmental science or engineering field plus four years of the required specialized experience; OR

A masters degree in forestry an agricultural biological chemical environmental science or engineering field plus three years of the required specialized experience.

The official job specifications for this role as defined by the State Civil Service can be found here.

Job Duties:
This position provides guidance to subordinate Agricultural Environmental Specialists and receives direct supervision from unclassified Director with broad supervision received from unclassified Assistant Commissioner of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences unclassified Director/Assistant Director or AES Administrative Coordinator.

• Manages the workload between pesticide horticulture seed industrial hemp and agricultural chemistry programs for the Office of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.
• Requests the hiring of regulatory and seasonal personnel.
• Ensures that all personnel obtain the proper training and certification.
• Coordinates the Agricultural Environmental Specialists in investigations of pesticide damage pesticide misuse pesticide spill structural pest control horticultural seed and agricultural chemistry inquiries.
• Assist subordinates in interpreting guidelines to ensure compliance of state and federal regulations.
• Reviews/supervises all reports/documents submitted by the AES Supervisors/Inspectors.
• Supervises the inspections of pesticide dealers aerial and ground applicators crop consultants private applicators and structural pest control operators for proper certifications and licensing.
• Reviews all reports of feed fertilizer seed industrial hemp and pesticide samples for laboratory analysis for compliance with laws regulating sale and use of these products.
• Serves as liaison between other State and Federal agencies in assisting the public to ensure state and federal laws are within regulation such as EPA-Pesticide Investigations USDA-Horticulture Investigations and Cooperative Extension Service.
• Advises and assists manufacturers dealers private and commercials applicators in interpreting laws and training for certification.
• Supervises pesticide certification/recertification meetings to ensure the proper material and training is presented.
• Reviews and implements new training materials to meet changes in rules and regulations.
• Supervises the issuance of Stop-sale orders on substandard seed industrial hemp fertilizer and other agricultural and chemical products offered for sale.
• Manages the coordinating of certified seed sampling and field inspections of all crops entered for certification to verify if crops are within the state seed rules and regulations.
• Supervises the investigation of damage complaints from pesticide applications and determine whether complaints are chemical insect or disease related.
• Evaluates reports/documentation for possible LDAF Adjudicatory Judicatory hearings/cases.
• Maintains an inventory of all equipment issued to AES personnel as well as the condition of the equipment.
• Determines the need to replace used equipment or purchase new updated equipment.
• Maintains a monthly report of vehicle fleet for AES personnel.

• Full-time thisposition may be filled by probation or by promotion of a classified employee of Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry serving with permanent status.
• Applicants who are not permanent employees of Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry will be required to serve a probationary period up to 24 months.

To apply for this vacancy click on the Apply link above and complete an electronic application which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

*Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e. relevant detailed experience/education).Resumes willnotbe accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.