West Virginia Department of Agriculture 
                                                                                 Position Description 
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Job Title:   Certification and Training Assistant
Division: Pesticide & Environmental Services Division
Headquarters: Guthrie
Reports To:  Certification & Training Supervisor
Supervisory
Responsibility: None
FSLA Status:  Non-exempt

Nature of Work: An employee in this position performs, under general supervision, advanced level clerical tasks of a complicated nature involving interpretation and application of policies and practices. Assists with the educational aspects of pesticide applicator certification, recertification, continuing certification credits, pesticide recordkeeping and the agriculture health and safety program activities in the Pesticide Regulatory Programs Unit. Work is conducted in cooperation with the United States Environmental Protection Agency, United States Department of Agriculture, West Virginia University Cooperative Extension Service, industry, and farm groups.

Examples of Work:

• Answers telephone requests and interact with the public about pesticide applicator examination materials, certification records, and training credits.
• Schedules and administers pesticide applicator certification examinations.
• Research files for data and gather information or statistics.
• Prepares reports and printouts regarding pesticide education and certification activities.
• Assists with certification and recertification workshops.
• Receives, sorts, and distributes incoming and outgoing mail as needed.
• Assists with the agriculture health and safety program meetings, mailings, and other duties.
• Operates office equipment such as electrical calculator, copying machine, or other machines.
• Operates a computer using various software to enter, access, and update or manipulate data in the performance of a variety of clerical duties; may run reports from the database and analyze data for program support.
• Performs related, and other, work as required.

Working Conditions: Standing, sitting, driving, and operating a computer and other office equipment.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of computers and Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Knowledge of business English, spelling, and arithmetic.
• Knowledge of general office procedures including typing, filing, and the use of office equipment.
• Ability to learn and carry out program operations and policies with respect to general functions performed.
• Prior knowledge of USAPLANTS is helpful but not required.
• Ability to learn the state and federal pesticide laws pertaining to pesticide applicator licensing and certification requirements.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, officials, regulated groups, and the public.
• Ability to communicate well, both orally and in writing.
• The employee may on occasion be required to travel and assist with the support of training activities.

Minimum Qualifications:
Training: Education equivalent to graduation or completion of a two-year Associate Degree in Office Management, preferred.
Experience: Two years of full-time paid employment in office clerical work, one of which must have included complex or administrative duties.
Substitution: Qualifying experience commensurate with the duties and knowledge listed above or similar responsibilities may be substituted on a year-for-year basis.

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.

                       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.