Occ. Code 1643100
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 1, GRADE 18 |
1643100 |
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PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 2, GRADE 21 |
1643200 |
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PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 3, GRADE 25 |
1643300 |
Classification Standard
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES
Pesticide Control Specialists are technical specialists responsible for the oversight, administration and implementation of State and federal pesticide laws, rules and regulations to ensure compliance in the distribution, storage, sale, application and use of pesticides by regulated community. These positions are found only in the Department of Environmental Conservation and exist in both central and regional offices.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 1: entry level; performs routine inspection of facilities and pesticide applications, investigates reported cases of pesticide misuse and pesticide-related incidents, referring more difficult cases to a Pesticide Control Specialist 2; collects samples, writes reports and provides testimony in support of investigations, and administers certification exam sessions; monitors Department approved recertification seminars, and reviews and issues Aquatic Purchase Permits to pond owners. Incumbents perform their duties within parameters of established, written guidelines and their completed work is subject to close supervisory review.
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 2: first supervisory level; supervises Pesticide Control Specialists 1; handles more complex interpretations of State and federal pesticide laws, regulations and enforcement policies and more complex technical tasks that demonstrate a higher degree of difficulty and little direct guidance; may serve as the regional program manager in a region with a small pesticide program staff, testifies as State expert for pesticide related matters; and represents the Department in regional and local matters.
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 3: serves as the program manager responsible for an entire Section in the Bureau of Pesticides Management or for regional offices with a large pesticide program staff; testifies in cases involved with state and national pesticide issues; serves as Statewide expert in a specified program field including, but not limited to aquatic permits, aerial applications, and termiticides. A Pesticide Control Specialist 3 is a managerial position, handling the most difficult administrative and technical matters with limited guidance. Incumbents develop and oversee programs related to pesticides as well as state and national security.
ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 1: investigates reported cases of pesticide misuse and pesticide-related incidents to substantiate and document violations of pesticide laws, rules and regulations; conducts scheduled and unscheduled pesticide use investigations of pesticide applicators, pesticide-producing establishments and pesticide distributors, to ensure compliance with State and federal pesticide laws, rules and regulations; evaluates with aerial applicators, dealers, distributors, manufacturers and other applicators of pesticides and fertilizers, to assess the security of the products and equipment in their possession and ensure their awareness of the potential for bio-terrorist activities; investigates unusual requests for products or services; provides detailed on-site monitoring of pesticide experimental use permits and Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Section 18 registrations (that allow the use of a non-EPA registered pesticide in urgent, non-routine situations) to ensure full compliance with the provisions and restrictions mandated by the permit or emergency exemption; conducts detailed investigations of agricultural growers to determine compliance with the Federal Worker Protection Standard to protect the health and safety of agricultural workers who may come into contact with applied pesticides; monitors and evaluates pesticide applicator and recertification training programs to ensure the training programs meet requirements of pesticide certification and recertification training standards; conducts pesticide control certification and training examinations throughout the State; provides outreach, assistance and promotes the Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Pesticide Reporting Law and other pesticide programs.
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 2: provides information to assist Department legal staff, Environmental Conservation Officers, prosecutors and Environmental Protection Agency staff to support alleged violations of State or federal pesticide laws; provides technical instruction, advice and guidance to the regulated community and other constituents and develops programs to ensure compliance with pesticide laws, rules and regulations; acts as Department contact for bio-terrorism and other potential security issues involving pesticides; collaborates with State, local and municipal government agencies in the development of mosquito and black fly control programs in response to West Nile Virus and other health concerns; drafts consent orders and recommends appropriate fines based on guidelines; drafts terms and conditions of compliance schedules; oversees processing and investigation of pesticide complaints and enforcement cases, and assigns complaint investigations requested by EPA; prepares report results and enforcement data for EPA; supervises detailed investigations of pesticide-related accidents and other accidental exposure; coordinates emergency efforts to minimize potential hazards to human health and the environment, under the direction of the Pesticide Control Specialist 3; assists in drafting legislative initiatives; serves as regional contact for media and legislative referrals; coordinates assessments of pesticide concerns of internal Department units and external state and county health departments; assists local communities in the development of Lake Management Plans that establish a comprehensive approach to removing, treating and controlling unwanted vegetation from lakes and waterways and identifying long-term strategies that reduce the dependence on pesticides to achieve these goals; reviews and makes recommendations to proposed Department publications and brochures for use by the public; provides supervision and oversight of the implementation of the Pesticide Reporting Law and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programs, compliance strategies and applicator records evaluation.
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 3: serves as program manager within assigned region or central office, directing and managing all facets of the Pesticide Program; ensures that staff evaluations and required safety training and medical monitoring are current; provides expert testimony in civil and criminal actions; develops and administers programs regarding bio-terrorism and state and national security involving pesticides; represents the Department in emergency response activities associated with the outbreak of insect-borne diseases such as West Nile Virus; coordinates response activities with federal, State and local agencies; coordinates monitoring activities and assists other federal, State and local agencies in development of environmental impact statements and public outreach programs; coordinates cooperative efforts with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, US Postal Service and Environmental Protection Agency in sting operations and investigations against alleged pesticide violators; serves as Department Statewide expert for an assigned topic such as West Nile Virus, aquatics, termiticides, and other areas of pesticide use; serves as representative on State and federal committees and organizations for pesticide matters; develops, authors and updates Department pesticide publications and brochures, and other documents; makes recommendations for revision of existing regulations; develops pesticide applicator test content and reference material for examinations; provides scope, program limits and components for the preparation of legislative initiatives; provides oversight of legislative and media contacts by staff on pesticide matters; develops reciprocity agreements with other states for NYS certified pesticide applicators; authors departmental findings statements related to newly registered pesticide products or uses of those products.
Open Competitive: a Bachelors or higher level degree in agronomy, agriculture, agricultural engineering, biochemistry, chemistry, entomology, environmental science, environmental studies, natural resources, forestry, forest biology, horticulture, biology, botany or plant pathology.
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 2
Promotion: one year of service as a Pesticide Control Specialist 1.
Open Competitive: a Bachelors or higher degree in the subject areas as listed for the title of Pesticide Control Specialist 1 and two years of experience as a certified private or commercial pesticide applicator, with responsibility for reading and comprehending pesticide label requirements; mixing, loading, handling and applying pesticides; selecting and recommending use of specific pesticides, calibrating pesticide application equipment, storing and disposing of pesticides and pesticide containers; pesticide use record keeping; and complying with all State and federal pesticide regulations.
PESTICIDE CONTROL SPECIALIST 3
Promotion: one year of service as a Pesticide Control Specialist 2.
Date: 3/04
NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe. Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class. The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written. Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.