Chief, Division of Health and Safety

Are you an experienced plant and pesticide professional ready to elevate your career? The Department of Agriculture is on the hunt for a dedicated and skilled individual to step into the role of Chief, Division of Health and Safety. In this pivotal position, you will oversee the implementation of Pennsylvania's Pesticide Control Act and related regulations, along with laws governing hemp, controlled plants, noxious weeds, and Farm Safety. This is your opportunity to showcase your leadership abilities and advance your professional path!

This role entails overseeing the Pesticide, Farm Safety, Environmental, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Hemp, and noxious weed programs within the Bureau of Plant Industry, thereby supporting the agricultural sector. Responsibilities include enforcing Pennsylvania's Pesticide Control Act and associated regulations, as well as laws governing hemp, controlled plants, noxious weeds, IPM in educational institutions, and farm safety. The position also involves supervising administrative personnel and specialists managing botany, hemp, and pesticide initiatives, as well as recruiting new division staff. Collaboration with other management personnel is essential to ensure effective execution of division program responsibilities by their teams. Coordination of field staff activities will be conducted with the Chief of the Division of Agronomic and Regional Services. Additionally, the role requires the development, negotiation, implementation, and administration of program funding grants in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for pesticide and IPM initiatives, participation in meetings concerning EPA Cooperative Agreements, and preparation of reports to support these grants. The position also directs the Botany and Weed Management program and oversees the maintenance of the state herbarium collection through the State Botanist.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Telework: You may have the opportunity to work from home (telework) part-time, up to 5 days per pay period. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Four years of professional investigative, enforcement, or advisory experience in an agricultural regulatory program, and four years of paraprofessional experience implementing an environmental or occupational health and safety program; or
• One year of experience as a Pesticide Specialist, Plant Inspection Program Specialist, or Plant Industry Regional Supervisor (Commonwealth titles); or
• Four years of professional investigative, enforcement, or advisory experience in an agricultural regulatory program, and a bachelor's degree in agriculture, biology, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
  
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans' Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.