Class Code: 05120
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –
HUMAN RESOURCES
AGRICULTURE COMPLIANCE INVESTIGATOR
DEFINITION
Performs investigatory and compliance work in relation
to alleged violations of state and federal laws or regulations pertaining to
the health, sale, release, movement and testing requirements related to
livestock markets, dealers, producers, slaughtering plants, meat processing
plants, feed manufacturers, organic feed, crop, livestock and food processing
operations; motor fuels, motor fuels components including renewable fuels. Performs related work as required.
The Work Examples and Competencies
listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary
basis for position classification decisions.
WORK EXAMPLES
Investigates complaints received from
state and federal officials, livestock purchasers and the general public
concerning alleged violations of state or federal laws and regulations
governing animal health, animal welfare, animal feeds, or motor fuel quality.
Collects, analyzes, and disseminates
information in the investigation of alleged livestock or animal welfare
incidents by interviewing individuals associated with cases, taking affidavits,
consulting with the State Veterinarian and presenting findings to county
attorneys and/or federal officials.
Coordinates investigative activities with
agency staff, county sheriffs, highway patrol, federal authorities and Iowa
Attorney General’s staff in order to gather facts and to determine if violations
have occurred and to recommend specific disciplinary action to the State
Veterinarian and/or federal officials for investigated cases.
Evaluates and re-inspects recordkeeping
and inspection procedures at feed manufacturers, licensed animal welfare
dealers, auction markets, livestock dealers, slaughtering plants, and meat
processors in order to ensure that inspectors are properly and uniformly
conducting inspection work.
Conducts epidemiological investigations of
infections and contagious disease conditions and files reports.
Conducts investigations of motor fuel
produced, distributed, and sold in
Monitors the interstate movement of
livestock into
Attends meetings and conferences of farm
organizations and state or federal regulatory groups in order to stay abreast
of new or proposed laws/regulations affecting the animal welfare and livestock
industry, the feed manufacturing industry, and the meat processing industry or the motor fuels and renewable fuels industries.
Evaluates auction market inspections to
ensure that market veterinarians are complying with state and federal laws and
regulations.
Performs investigations of feed
manufacturers and livestock producers to ensure compliance with state and
federal laws; samples raw agricultural commodities for aflatoxin, salmonella, insects,
and pesticides.
Conducts compliance and/or
surveillance investigations of irregularities or violations of the Iowa Meat
and Poultry Inspection Act, Federal Wholesome Meat Act and Federal Poultry
Inspection Act.
Reviews labels of input
products intended for use in organic production and processing operations.
Conducts scheduled and
unscheduled inspections of organic production and processing sites and
practices of organic producers and processors to verify compliance with state
and federal organic regulations.
Examines records of organic
producers and organic processors and conducts audits to verify traceability of
organic products.
Complete and submit report
of findings regarding the organic operation’s compliance with state and federal
organic regulations.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Knowledge of the principles and techniques
associated with complete case preparation to be presented to the county
attorneys for prosecution.
Knowledge of local, state and federal laws
and regulations pertaining to animal welfare and the safe movement and health
requirements of livestock.
Knowledge of animal science, livestock
marketing systems and operations relative to health of livestock, livestock
markets, stockyards, farm sales, livestock dealers, and feed manufacturers.
Knowledge of the Wholesome Meat Act,
Poultry Products Inspection Act, Iowa Meat and Poultry Inspection Act and all
related rules and regulations.
Knowledge of the basic principles and
techniques associated with investigations including interviewing, fact finding,
records checking and surveillance work.
Knowledge of agricultural business
practices as related to the sale and merchandising of livestock, livestock
feed, and meat products.
Knowledge of the functions, jurisdictions,
and interrelationships of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies
concerning the enforcement of animal health and welfare laws and regulations,
sale and manufacture of livestock feed, and meat processing.
Knowledge of the National Organic Program
regulations and state organic regulations.
Knowledge of organic compliance policies
and procedures.
Knowledge of auditing procedures.
Knowledge of motor fuels and renewable
fuels standards including sampling testing and screening techniques.
Ability to collect and analyze pertinent data
during the course of investigations including interviewing and taking
affidavits.
Ability to apply and interpret local,
state and federal laws and regulations related to preparation of records and
reports.
Ability to testify in court and at
administrative hearings in order to present relevant facts and evidence.
Ability to interpret brucellosis and
pseudorabies test results in conjunction with the State Veterinarian.
Ability to work in adverse weather conditions and to
handle livestock for identification procedures.
Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or
unethical behavior.
Works and communicates with internal and external
clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and
cooperative manner. Committed to quality
service.
Displays a high level of initiative, effort and
commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention
to detail.
Responds appropriately to supervision. Follows policy and cooperates with
supervisors.
Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals
of the organization.
Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust,
and group identity. Fosters commitment
and team spirit.
Expresses information to individuals or groups
effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the
information. Listens to others and
responds appropriately.
Graduation from an accredited college or
university with a bachelor’s degree in animal science, animal husbandry, animal
industry, livestock management, crop production, agricultural law, motor fuels
and renewable fuels, or closely related field, and the equivalent of two
years’ full-time technical experience in livestock inspection, production,
auction market, sale barn work, work on an organic farm, motor fuels and
renewable fuels or work as an auditor, inspector or compliance investigator
with agricultural operations;
OR
an equivalent combination of any of the above
qualifying experience substituting for the required education (on the basis
that one year of experience equals 30 semester or equivalent hours of
education) with a maximum substitution of four years;
OR
certification by the Federal Department of Agriculture
as an Agricultural Products Inspector and the equivalent of two years’
full-time technical experience in state and federal inspections of livestock
feed manufacturing firms;
OR
certification as an Organic Inspector by the
Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) and one year of experience as
an organic inspector;
OR
employees with current continuous experience in the
state executive branch that includes the equivalent of two years of full-time
experience as a Livestock Inspector, Weights and Measures Inspector or a Meat Inspector shall be considered qualified.
SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION
For designated positions, the appointing
authority, with Iowa Department of Administrative Services–Human Resources
Enterprise prior approval, may request those applicants possessing a minimum of
twelve semester hours of education, six months of experience, or a combination
of both, or a specific certificate, license, or endorsement in the following
areas:
006 agriculture
048 agricultural products inspection
250 motor fuels / renewable fuels
380 livestock inspection
381 meat and poultry inspection
484 organic agriculture
Applicants
wishing to be considered for such designated positions must list applicable
coursework, experience, certificate, license, or endorsement on the
application.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Extensive travel is required for positions in this
class. Employees must arrange
transportation to and from assigned work areas.
Effective Date: 11/06 CH