Location -  throughout Ventura County, CA

 

WHAT WE OFFER
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package.  Aside from our annual base salary of approximately $145,740.16 - $202,451.36, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• A general salary increase of 4.0% effective December 24, 2023 and 3.5% effective December 22, 2024.
• New Hire Incentive - Newly hired employees may be eligible for a one-time New Hire Incentive up to 10% of the current annual base wage. [Subject to the applicable section of the Management Resolution (Sec. 625-627)] 
• License Incentives - Attainment of licensure as a County Agricultural Commissioner is eligible for 5% compensation of the base salary. Additionally, attainment of licensure as a County Sealer of Weights and Measures is eligible for 5% compensation of the base salary. 
• Educational Incentive - Completion of a graduate degree not required for the position may qualify for an incentive of up to 5% in addition to the base salary.
• Executive Administrative Leave - The candidate selected for this position will earn 248 hours per year, increasing to 288 hours after 5 years of service, to 328 hours after 10 years of service, and to 368 hours after 15 years of service or other public service (Sec. 616A). Leave accrual rate may be based on all public years of service.
• Annual Leave Redemption - The ability to "cash in" or redeem up to 100 hours of Annual Leave per year after using 80 hours. 
• Automobile Allowance - Incumbent will have the option of using a County vehicle and gasoline card, or receiving $575 per month for an automotive allowance and having any mileage driven on County business reimbursed at the standard rate established by the Internal Revenue Service.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 3% match on your 401(k) contributions. 
• Health Plans – You are afforded a flexible credit allowance of up to $21,450 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans. 
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Employees may also participate in the Flexible Spending Accounts which increase their spending power by reimbursing them with pre-tax dollars for IRS approved dependent care and health care expenses. 
• Pension Plan - Both the County and you contribute to the County's Retirement Plan and to Social Security.  If you are eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as PERS.   
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes an annual floating holiday.
• Additional Benefits - Other benefits include disability plans, Employee Assistance Program, Life Insurance, Tuition Reimbursement, Benefit Reimbursement Program and a Wellness Program. Incumbent is also entitled to County-paid membership in professional organizations related to the position.

Ventura County and The Agricultural Commissioner
From rolling hills to sweeping ocean views, Ventura County is located on the "Gold Coast," approximately 50 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. The near perfect Mediterranean climate with an average annual temperature of 74.2 degrees and a wonderful quality of life are a few of the reasons many of the 832,605 residents call Ventura "home."

The Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner/Weights & Measure's Office is the leader in promoting and protecting agriculture in Ventura County. Working together with Ventura County stakeholders, the Agriculture Commissioner is responsible for building the necessary structures for long term success, identifying challenges as they form, and quickly developing appropriate actions to reach a positive outcome.  Excellence of service and continued improvement are integral to the structure and operations of the Department.

The Agricultural Commissioner is appointed by the County Executive Officer with the concurrence of the Ventura County Board of Supervisors to serve a four-year term.  The Commissioner serves as the primary local enforcement agent for State agricultural, weights & measures laws and regulations.  The position is responsible for overseeing the department of 65 full-time employees.  The adopted budget for 2022-2023 is $6.2 million annually.

The Agriculture Commissioner is an "at-will" classification and is exempt from the "Civil Service."

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
Opening Date: Friday, April 21, 2022
Closing Date: Open until filled
First Review of Resumes: The first review of resumes is anticipated to be on or around May 22, 2022. If you are interested in this exciting opportunity, please submit your cover letter and resume in advance of the review date.

 

Examples Of Duties

Duties may include but are not limited to:

• Determines policies and establishes the organization and procedures for administering and enforcing the assigned provisions of the Agricultural Code, Weights & Measures and related local laws and regulations.
• Prepares budget estimates and directs departmental operations within the limits of the established budgets.
• Coordinates departmental operations with the State and other counties to obtain uniform enforcement of laws and regulations.
• Coordinates activities of the department with State and Federal officials, agricultural commissioners and executive management of other counties.
• Hires, trains, assigns programs and projects, and evaluates staff.
• Prepares and reviews department records; and makes presentations on the purposes and functions of the department.
• Holds hearings on violations of agricultural rules and regulations and weights and measures laws, and regulations, and determines the need for further hearings or prosecution of violators.
• Attends local and statewide meetings and conferences to exchange information on the most effective means of agricultural enforcement programs and the improvement of agricultural conditions.
• Directs the preparation of periodic reports of the activities of the department and the conditions of agriculture in the County for the State and Board of Supervisors.
• Consults with United States Department of Agriculture, University of California, and agricultural commissioners of other counties for the purpose of becoming informed about new and dangerous agricultural pests, observing and learning new/better methods of pest control, and determining the best and most efficacious methods of conducting the work of the department.

 

Typical Qualifications

EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience which has led to the acquisition of the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

The required education and experience may be obtained by a combination of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in agriculture or the biological sciences and extensive agricultural regulatory experience with a minimum of one year of experience comparable to a Deputy Agricultural Commissioner or Supervising Agricultural Inspector.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Possession of a license of eligibility for a County Agricultural Commissioner issued by the California Department of Food and Agriculture.
• Possession of and the ability to maintain a valid California driver license.
• Possession of a County Sealer of Weights and Measures license must be obtained within the first twelve (12) months of employment.

DESIRED

• Master's degree within a related field.
• Possession of a County Sealer of Weights and Measures license

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Comprehensive knowledge of: the provisions of the California Agricultural and Administrative Codes and related federal laws and regulations pertaining to agricultural inspection; rules of evidence, investigation techniques, and legal court procedures; public administration principles and theory, including general administration, human resource management, fiscal management, and budgeting.

Comprehensive ability to: effectively plan, organize, coordinate, administer and evaluate a program of agricultural inspection enforcement and public services; make independent decisions quickly on important, sensitive, and/or controversial matters; interpret and apply state and federal laws and regulations and formulate a workable plan of enforcement; explain technical requirements in lay terms; and, communicate, establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of individuals with diverse interests and diverse cultural backgrounds.

Supplemental Information:
Duties involve significant public contact and travel.    

 

Recruitment Process

To apply for this exceptional and unique career opportunity, please do one of the following:

• E-mail your current resume to Monika.Maine@ventura.org
• Mail a hard copy of your current resume to: Monika Maine, County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura CA 93009
• Submit an on-line application at www.ventura.org/jobs and attach your current resume

First review of resumes is anticipated to be on or around May 22, 2023.  Submissions must include relevant work experience, training and education in order for the reviewer to properly assess qualifications.

Following an evaluation of the resumes, candidates with qualifications deemed to best meet business needs will be invited to a panel interview.  The top candidates, as determined by the panel, may be invited to a second interview with the County Executive Officer. This process may be consolidated or expanded contingent upon the size and quality of the candidate pool.


EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.