Monterey County 30G20 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES INSPECTOR I DEFINITION Under immediate supervision, receives training and performs limited inspections and tests to enforce Division 5 of the California Business and Professions Code and Title 4 Divisions 8 and 9 of the California Code of Regulations; and does other work as required. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS The Weights and Measures Inspector classes are found only in the Office of the Agricultural Commissioner, which is a regulatory and enforcement agency, responsible for programs to monitor compliance issues within the industries of the County, and to ensure the health, safety and welfare of consumers and workers. This is the entry-level class within the Weights and Measures Inspector Series. Incumbents in this class receive substantial training initially, and perform limited and routine work under close supervision of licensed personnel. As incumbents obtain the required licenses and experience, they work with greater independence and perform a broader range of duties in one or more of the weights and measures programs. This is a flexibly staffed series; incumbents appointed at the lower level may be promoted to the next higher level without further competition, subject to meeting the employment standards and licensing requirements for this class. Upon demonstrated competence, employees in this class are expected to promote to the Weights and Measures Inspector II level within two (2) years of appointment. The class of Weights and Measures Inspector I is distinguished from the next higher-level class of Weights and Measures Inspector II in that the latter class is the journey level class of the series and incumbents are licensed in two inspection areas, often working independently on assignments. EXAMPLES OF DUTIES 1. Assists in inspection and testing of various types of commercially used retail, industrial, agricultural and specialty scales for accuracy within established tolerance limits and compliance with specifications and user requirements 2. Assists in the inspection and testing of various types of commercially used measuring devices including those that dispense petroleum products (gaseous, liquid and natural), chemicals and are used in the measurement of electricity for accuracy within established tolerance limits and compliance with specifications and user requirements 3. Seals devices inspected and tested and issues certifications of inspection 4. Assists in the testing (and under-cover purchase) of packaged goods for proper quantity using statistical sampling techniques, inspects labeling and sales methods 5. Assists in the inspection of price look-up systems to ensure correct prices are charged 6. Assists in test purchases and sales to ensure that correct price extensions are given and that correct sales / purchase procedures are used 7. Assists in the inspection of weighmasters and weighmaster records 8. Assists in the inspection of petroleum products for compliance with advertising, labeling registration, minimum quality specifications and product integrity
9. May issue orders to correct or condemn defective weighing and measuring devices, remove consumer and/or wholesale packages from sale, prohibit a weighmaster from issuing certificates, prohibit the sale or removal of motor fuel 10. Administers service agent licensing examinations and issues licenses 11. May investigate suspected violations of law, consumer complaints and complaints generated by other agencies, the district attorney or competitor businesses 12. May gather evidence and prepare investigation reports that will be used in the prosecution of violators. May work with District Attorney and other law enforcement agencies 13. May testify in criminal and civil prosecutions and at administrative hearings 14. Creates, maintains and stores records of work performed 15. Responds to consumer complaints/questions QUALIFICATIONS A combination of experience, education, and/or training which substantially demonstrates the following knowledge, skills and abilities: Knowledge and Skills: Working knowledge of: 1. Basic mathematical concepts Some knowledge of: 1. Laws, regulations and functions relating to weights and measures inspection programs 2. The operation of weighing and measuring devices and standards 3. Personal computer usage 4. Software such as: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint 5. Internet research methods Skill and Ability to: 1. Learn, interpret and enforce the provisions of laws and regulations relating to weights and measures 2. Establish and maintain cooperative relationships with others and deal tactfully and effectively with persons contacted in the course of work and in enforcement situations that may be difficult or tense 3. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing with the public, coworkers, law enforcement agencies, consumers and industry people 4. Analyze situations accurately and take effective action 5. Collect and organize information 6. Prepare clear and concise reports, records of inspections, correspondence, and as administrative hearing materials 7. Perform moderately heavy physical labor requiring dexterity and mechanical aptitude 8. Learn to operate and care for various types of test equipment 9. Observe safe work practices and procedures 2
10. Learn to identify, correct and/or report occupational hazards 11. Operate a personal computer and software to maintain inspection and registration data, prepare reports, search databases, process photographs and access network and web-based programs and applications 12. Learn and adhere to related Federal, State, and local safety laws, regulations, and ordinances 13. Deal effectively with angry and / or hostile members of the public 14. Learn to testify in administrative hearings and in civil / criminal court proceedings REQUIRED CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT As a condition of employment, the incumbent will be required to: 1. Obtain either the Weight Verification or Measurement Verification license within one year or two testing periods from the date of appointment, and one other license from the Weights and Measures series within two years from date of employment. Failure or inability to obtain licenses is cause for termination 2. Possess a valid California Class C driver s license, along with a good driving record 3. Pass a pre-employment physical examination 4. Obtain and maintain a valid California Class B Driver s License within 12 months of employment 5. Obtain safety certifications as necessary 6. Submit to random drug and alcohol testing as required by the Department of Transportation 7. Travel throughout Monterey County 8. Work in airports, gas stations, loading docks, ranches, markets, etc. 9. Work in potentially hazardous situations 10. Lift and carry up to 50 pounds of testing equipment and various materials 11. Work weekends, holidays, and evenings when assigned, during peak season, or in emergency situations REQUIRED EXPERIENCE/EDUCATION/TRAINING Pursuant to California Code of Regulations, Title 3, Division 1, Chapter 2, Article 1, one of the following options is required: OPTION I Possession of one or more valid statewide entrance or specific category licenses as a County Weights and Measures Inspector or County Agricultural Inspector/Biologist OR OPTION II Graduation (or equivalent) from an accredited four-year university or college with major work in chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or other job related majors such as law enforcement, commerce and marketing, as determined by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture OR OPTION III Experience in one or more of the following may be substituted for up to two years of the required college education on a year-for-year basis: 3
1. Enforcement of weights and measures or agricultural laws 2. The inspection, maintenance, repair or installation of weighing or measuring instruments or equipment 3. Consumer protection or resolution of complaints in a public or private consumer affairs agency 4. Law enforcement or investigation work in a federal, state or local jurisdiction 5. Responsible quality control or quantity control work in the production of consumer commodities. This experience must have been at a level comparable to weights and measures inspector or agricultural inspector/biologist. (Please note that a minimum of two years of college is required, applicants with a college major other than those listed must have a minimum of 15 semester units of job related courses and at least two years of qualifying experience.) OR IV Possession of an Associate in Science Degree in Measurement Science with a Weights and Measures Option granted by a California community college AND one year of experience in the enforcement of weights and measures laws or in the inspection, maintenance, repair or installation of weighing or measuring instruments or equipment, as determined by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. This experience must have been at a level comparable to County Weights and Measures Inspector. Relevant experience may be substituted for up to two years of the required college education on a year-for-year basis as determined by the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. PHYSICAL/SENSORY REQUIREMENTS The physical and sensory abilities required for this classification include: 1. Physical strength and agility to lift, push, bend, stoop, exert repetitive motion, unusually light or firm grip, and coordinated skillful movements of fingers, hands or arms 2. Lift 50 lbs 3. Work in confined spaces 4. Spend long periods of time standing/walking 5. Operate a motor vehicle and to tow a trailer 6. Distinguish and identify sounds and voices in a noisy environment, and identify potential hazards, dangers 7. Read maps, fine print, gauges, meters and other calibrated or precision measuring instrument and data on computer screen 8. Distinguish location of non-speech sounds, detect odors and aromas, project a voice that can be heard over loud noises, and be conscious of or perceive objects or their qualities through touch 9. Work around and in contact with a variety of toxic elements or irritants, petroleum products, plant, animal or food material or waste, vibration, moving objects, non-ionizing radiation including sunshine, electricity and hand or power tools 10. Wear and use proper and appropriate safety clothing and equipment 11. Work under adverse weather conditions 12. Work outdoors, on uneven ground or floor surfaces, and on slippery surfaces, or come into contact with water 4
13. Work in environments that are noisy or are subject to sudden changes and/or extremes in air temperature or humidity; and work at elevations above ground level CLASS HISTORY CLASS DATA Class Code: 30G20 Job Group: 14 Established Date: October 1980 EEO Category: PP Revised Date: January 2007 Work Comp. Code: 9410 October 1991 Bargaining/Employee Unit: J Former Title: N/A FLSA: C MOCO OT: Y Prepared by: Gerta McClay, SPHR Management Specialist Approved by: /s/ Dianne Dinsmore County Administrative Office 5/16/08 Date 5