Job Title:  Regulatory Officer I - P00201
Division:  Plant Industries
Headquarter:  Guthrie Agricultural Center, Charleston, WV 
Reports To:  Plant Pest Regulatory Program Coordinator 
Supervisor Responsibility: N/A
FLSA Status:  Non-exempt

Nature of Work:
The Regulatory Officer I is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the Industrial Hemp Development Act, the West Virginia Plant Pest Act and associated quarantines; possibly enforcing United States Department of Agriculture, Plant Protection and Quarantine regulations. The Regulatory Officer I will inspect and certify plant material and timber products for interstate and international shipments.

Examples of Work:

• Survey nurseries and nursery dealers throughout the state to periodically check for the presence of plant pests.
• Solicit the registration of nurseries and nursery dealers.
• Perform inspections and prepares state and federal phytosanitary certificates for interstate and international export certification of plants and timber products.
• Assist with the preparation and distribution of the West Virginia Directory of Certified Nurseries and Nursery Dealers.
• Enforce quarantines established on various plant pests and executes embargoes on nursery stock not in compliance with state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
• Inspect nursery stock, transported into the state for distribution, for possible infestation of plant pests.
• Act as a consultant to the public, as needed, on plant pests and related matters.
• Assist with other surveys as needed.
• Assist with inspections for plants under federal post-entry quarantine.
• Represent the Department at meetings of the West Virginia Nurserymen’s Association, West Virginia Christmas Tree Growers’ Association, the Eastern Chapter of the Horticultural Inspection Society, and other Program-related meetings, as assigned.
• Contribute articles and news releases on program related matters for dissemination, as needed.
• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Sitting; standing; walking; driving; using a computer, lifting up to 50 pounds; outdoors work; traversing rough terrain and exposure to inclement weather.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of state government organization, programs and functions.
• Knowledge of federal, state and local government relationships as they relate to the mission and operations of the Program.
• Knowledge of proper investigative techniques and procedures.
• Skilled in the use of multiple computer applications including Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other government officials, employees and the public.
• Ability to present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to comprehend and apply complex laws and regulations in diverse situations.
• Ability to make public presentations to industry, schools, professional and community meetings.
• Ability to reason and analyze complex situations.
• Ability to organize, file, and maintain a good record keeping system.
• Ability to pay close attention to surroundings to detect possible violations of the laws and regulations.
• Ability to educate and convey complex issues; fill out complex forms and enter into a computer system.
• Ability to travel and work hours other than normal, as needed, to accomplish Program, Unit, Division or Department assignments.

Qualifications:
Education: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s degree in biological sciences, horticulture, plant pathology, entomology, or a related field.
Experience:  N/A
Substitutions: N/A
Licenses/
Certifications:  N/A

Additional Requirements:

• Valid driver’s license is required.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.
• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.
• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the State of West Virginia.

                                        This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner and designees.
                                                                West Virginia Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity employer.