PLANT & PESTICIDE SPECIALIST I - AG PRODUCT INSPECTION (ST. CLAIR CO.)

Job Requisition ID: 53482

Closing Date: 04/14/2026

Agency: Department of Agriculture

Class Title: PLANT AND PESTICIDE SPEC I - 32501

Skill Option: None

Bilingual Option: None

Salary: $5618 - $7786 anticipated starting salary monthly

Job Type: Salaried

Category: Full Time

County: St. Clair; Clinton; Madison; Monroe; Randolph; Washington

Number of Vacancies: 1

Bargaining Unit Code: RC029 Paraprofessional Investigatory & Law Enforcement Employees, Meat and Poultry Inspectors, and Meat and Poultry Inspector Trainees, IFPE. The RC-033 bargaining unit merged into RC-029 bargaining unit effective May 15, 2014.

Merit Comp Code:

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

• Inspects Anhydrous ammonia storage and manufacturing facilities annually for compliance with all rules and regulations.
• Secures samples of feed products from feed retailers, manufacturers, and suppliers.
• Reviews labels of seed products for compliance with State and Federal statutes.
• Obtains samples of fertilizer products.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four years of college, preferably with major courses in entomology, horticulture, botany, agronomy animal nutrition or related fields.
• Requires six months' professional experience in a related field or successful completion of an approved training program.
• Candidates engaged in seed inspections/investigations require ability to obtain a USDA seed investigator license.
• Candidates engaged in feed inspections/investigations requires ability to be commissioned by the FDA.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers thorough knowledge of the effects of pesticides and fertilizers on plants, the environment, and beneficial insects.
• Prefers working knowledge of industry practices and methods related to fertilizer, seed stock and medicated feeds
• Prefers experience establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with associates and the general public.
• Prefers experience compiling reports and maintaining records
• Prefers extensive knowledge in utilizing a keyboard and computer to generate inspection reports and forms

Conditions of Employment

• Requires completion of a name-based background screening and self-disclosure of criminal history.
• Requires the ability to successfully pass a preemployment physical.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties and be on travel status when instructed. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license. Overnight travel may be required. Requires the ability to drive for long periods of time.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends.
• This position is considered heavy work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(d)). Heavy work involves lifting no more than 100 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or
  carrying of objects weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Requires the ability to maintain state issued equipment such as a laptop.
• Requires ability to climb, work in environments with dust, work outside during all seasons, and handle products such as agri-fertilizers, chemicals, and animal drugs. Requires ability to wear protective equipment (respirators, protective clothing, etc.)
• Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during
  state employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector
  General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (OEIG) or may be subject to a fine.
• This position requires residency in one of the following: St. Clair, Madison, Clinton, Washington, Randolph and Monroe counties.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

Work Hours: 8-4:30 M-F

Headquarter Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702

Work County: St. Clair

Agency Contact: Bureau of Human Resources

Email: [email protected]

Phone #: 217-785-5099

Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance

The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers the Illinois Fertilizer Act, the Illinois Commercial Feed Act, the Illinois Soil Amendment Act, the Illinois Seed Act, and the Illinois Seed Arbitration Act. Through the licensing of manufacturers and distributors of agricultural inputs, the registration of products, the inspection of facilities and the testing of samples, the Department acts as a consumer protection agency for purchasers of fertilizer, feed, soil amendments and seed. The Plant and Pesticide Specialist position serves as frontline regulator in the Bureau of Ag Products Inspection. The successful candidate will perform inspections of feed mills and anhydrous ammonia storage facilities, collect samples of feed, seed, and fertilizer products, and investigate feed complaints and anhydrous ammonia releases to ensure compliance with State laws and regulations. This position offers excellent beginning salary and benefits. We welcome interested and qualified applicants to apply.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers an annual budget of approximately $200 million and employs more than 400 people statewide, with several hundred more seasonal employees hired during the summer to support the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the State's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed, and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the State's horse racing programs.

AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

AGR offers a robust benefit package including;

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible work schedules in many program areas
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• 12 Weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pension Plan
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
• Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date
• Thirteen - Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually

For more information regarding State of Illinois Benefits follow this link:

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

Revolving Door:
Certain provisions of the revolving door restrictions contained in 5 ILCS 430/5-45 apply to this position. As a result, the employee should be aware that if offered non-State employment during State employment or within one year immediately after ending State employment, the employee shall, prior to accepting any such non-State employment offer, notify the Office of the Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor (“OEIG”) or may be subject to a fine.

This position has been found to meet the requirements in section 4A-101 of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act requiring the occupant/employee to file a Statement of Economic Interest. The Illinois Governmental Ethics Act (5 ILCS 420/4A et seq.) requires certain state officials and employees to file annual Statements of Economic Interest with the Office of the Secretary of State that will be made available for examination and copying by the public. All employees required to file a Statement of Economic Interest are also required to file the Supplemental Statement of Economic Interest with the Executive Ethics Commission. (See Executive Order 15-09) Fines and penalties apply to untimely filings.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• [email protected]
• [email protected]