Compliance Unit Supervising Special Investigator II

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

The Compliance Unit consists of five very sensitive enforcement programs: the Standardization Program, California Citrus Program, California Organic Program, Certified Farmers' Market Program, and Avocado Program. These statewide Programs ensure that consumers receive fresh fruit and vegetables that are not adulterated, misbranded, or falsely advertised, and that can be traced back to a production source. The highly complex work of the Unit ensures fairness and equity in the marketplace and protects the public and the industry by enforcing state and federal laws and regulations through field investigations and inspections to ensure that minimum standards for maturity, quality, size, standard pack, and container marking are met. By enforcing the laws that govern direct marketing of produce from growers to consumers, and the laws that govern the sale of foods labeled as organic, the public can be confident in California-grown products.

Under the direction of the C.E.A. (Branch Chief), the incumbent is responsible for oversight and enforcement of the Standardization, California Citrus, California Organic, Certified Farmers' Market, and Avocado Programs, as well as the resource management of these complex and sensitive enforcement Programs and the Unit. The incumbent assists the Branch Chief in the administration of the Branch and acts for the Branch Chief during short-term absences. The incumbent directs and participates in the more difficult or confidential investigations. The incumbent exercises a high degree of independent judgment and has extensive knowledge of Departmental policies and procedures and the Programs. The incumbent supervises permanent and seasonal staff and oversees local government and Federal employees. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Oversee, plan, develop, and organize the activities of the Standardization, California Citrus, California Organic, Certified Farmers' Market, and Avocado Programs to ensure effectiveness, fiscal viability, and compliance with Departmental responsibilities and industry needs. Supervise Special Investigators and Agriculture Program Supervisor IIs to ensure that investigations and administrative procedures are conducted according to departmental policies, legal standards, and best practices in public health protection.

• Collaborate with the Branch Chief in the development of Branch and Unit goals, objectives, priorities, and policies.

• Recruit, select, and hire staff, which may include permanent and seasonal staff, and local government and Federal employees.

• Keep staff current in Programs and areas of responsibility, investigations and review changes in policies and procedures with appropriate staff.

• Oversee the Unit's fiscal management, including budget review, forecasting, and resource allocation. Guide Special Investigators and Agriculture Program Supervisor IIs in managing their program budgets to ensure financial sustainability and compliance with departmental fiscal policies.

• Study and assess the Unit and Program business plans and budgets for viability and effectiveness.

• Represent the Compliance Unit and Branch in interactions with federal, state, and local agencies, ensuring consistent enforcement and investigative practices. Supervise Special Investigators and Agriculture Program Supervisor IIs in maintaining cooperative relationships with external stakeholders, and ensure the uniform application of policies, laws, and regulations across the state.

• Collaborate closely with Federal, State, and local law enforcement agencies to ensure effective investigation and enforcement of laws, rules, and regulations.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement .

Working Conditions

The duties of this job are performed 80 percent indoors in a climate-controlled office under artificial lighting and 20 percent outdoors where employee may be exposed to extremes in weather conditions, dirt, noise, uneven surfaces, and equipment such as tractors or forklifts. The employee's workstation is located indoors and contains necessary equipment to perform duties, including a telephone, computer, copier, and fax machine.

The duties of this position require the ability to operate a computer terminal, calculator, photocopy machine, fax, and telephone; participate in, give presentations during, and interact with others at meetings; grasp papers, small objects, and manuals; and maneuver above shoulder level and below waist level to access upper and lower files and cabinets.

This position requires travel by air, car, or other transportation systems to various locations throughout the state to attend in state and out-of-state meetings and trainings and to follow up with field staff, industry, local, state, and Federal agencies, and advisory board committee members. A willingness to work in various locations throughout the State; tact; keenness of observation; good memory for names, faces, and incidents. Incumbent may be required to travel in severe weather.

Incumbent must establish and maintain courteous, professional, and effective working relationships with those contacted during the course of work; seek clarifying questions and obtain a better understanding of the issue(s); maintain neutrality; identify effective ways to communicate and/or provide support. Incumbent must be open-minded, flexible, and willing to learn and understand other cultures; social and cultural perceptiveness; make appropriate decisions, defuse, negotiate, and resolve conflicts and make well-thought-out recommendations; work well under pressure; and work independently to complete assigned work and meet required deadlines.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent's ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA's Telework Policy. Frequent travel to field offices and other locations is required.

Minimum Requirements You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• SUPERVISING SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR II (NON-PEACE OFFICER)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details Job Code #:
JC-444585

Position #(s):
018-716-8545-XXX

Working Title:
Compliance Unit Supervising Special Investigator II

Classification:
SUPERVISING SPECIAL INVESTIGATOR II (NON-PEACE OFFICER) $8,538.00 - $11,147.00

# of Positions:
1

Work Location:
Sacramento County

Telework:
Hybrid

Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information
The Inspection and Compliance Branch (Branch) deals with a broad range of environmental, environmental health, and on-farm management issues related to protecting public health. The Branch consists of the following programs: Shipping Point Inspection Program; State Organic Program; Direct Marketing Program; Standardization Program; Avocado Inspection Program; Citrus Program, the Technical Assistance Program for Produce Safety; and the OCal Program. The Branch consists of multi-discipline staff, including Agriculture Program Supervisors, Environmental Scientists, subject matter specialists, inspectors, investigators, and technical and support staff.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required for this position. Failure to submit the required SOQ with your STD. 678 (State application) may result in disqualification from consideration. The SOQ should address the five (5) numbered items below, should be typed in 12-pt. Arial font, 1.5 spacing, and should not exceed two pages in length, front and back. Cover letters and resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the SOQ.

1. Describe a time in your career where you were tasked to independently oversee, plan, develop, and organize multiple, high-level projects concurrently with tight deadlines.

2. Give an example of a time you had to act on a contentious issue and make recommendations to Management and/or Stakeholders. What, if any, was the outcome?

3. How have you mentored an employee to achieve their goals in the workplace?

4. Describe a time in your career when you engaged with Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies in an enforcement investigation. How did your involvement assist law enforcement in determining the outcome of the case?

5. Describe your experience in managing subordinates, establishing business plans and budgets for their respective areas of responsibility, and evaluating budgets for sustainability and efficiency.

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within thirty (30) days of appointment, on an annual basis, and upon vacating the position. The incumbent must complete an Ethics orientation training course within six months of assuming a Form 700 covered position, and every two (2) years thereafter, by December 31 of each numbered year. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment.

Application Instructions
Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.
Final Filing Date: Until Filled
Who May Apply
Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply
Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Department of Food & Agriculture
Attn: Human Resource Branch JC-444585
1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento , CA 95814

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Department of Food & Agriculture

Human Resource Branch JC-444585
1220 N Street, Room 242

Sacramento , CA 95814
ELECTRONIC APPLICATION IS PREFERRED. All mail or drop-off applications must include JC-444585
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -
  A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the "Special Requirements" section.
  

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

As a leader in State government, the incumbent is responsible to develop and inspire their workforce and deliver great results for Californians and CDFA. The incumbent must set a clear vision to achieve productive results by developing plans to meet goals, leverage staff skills, and solve problems; build collaborative relationships and foster an inclusive environment for consensus-building and decision-making; coach, guide, train, instruct, and develop team members; empower staff through a sense of shared ownership and decision-making; create an open and transparent environment for the exchange of information; foster a team environment through the support and recognition of team members; promote customer service and accountability; motivate loyalty to the Department's mission and commitment to drive continuous improvement for better results. The incumbent must inspire personal credibility through authenticity, confidence, consistency, courage, decisiveness, generosity, honesty, integrity, and judgment.

Benefits Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Contact Information
The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.
Hiring Unit Contact:
Laura Oliver
(916) 900-5323
laura.oliver@cdfa.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.
EEO Contact:
Office of Civil Rights
(916) 654-1005
Civil_Rights@cdfa.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Hard Copy Applications

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 06/2024 version.

Additional Information

Please do not include any confidential information such as social security number, marital status, ethnicity, age, salary or disability information on any of the documentation uploaded with your online application.

If the classification you are applying for has an education requirement, transcripts will be required to verify you meet the minimum qualifications of the classification. Please be sure to redact any confidential information before uploading your transcripts.

Upon hire you may be required to provide official sealed transcripts or an original degree or certificate.

Applicants with foreign degrees may be asked to provide an official foreign transcript evaluation which indicates course work is equivalent to a degree from an accredited U.S. College or University.

This position may require a medical clearance.

Alternate Classifications and Training and Development assignments may be considered.

Equal Opportunity Employer
The State of California 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.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.