Agricultural Services Officer

Position Reports To: Manager of Agriculture and Environment
Job ID: P22-27
Closing Date: August 12, 2022

Position Summary:  The Agricultural Services Officer is responsible for supporting the delivery of Agricultural Service Board (ASB) programs through weed and pest control programs within Wheatland County.
Appointed as a municipal inspector under the Weed Control Act and the Agricultural Pests Act, and a municipal officer under the Soil Conservation Act, the Agricultural Services Officer is responsible for providing information to County residents through on-going extension, education, and awareness programs.

Key Responsibilities:

• Inspect private and public land for regulated weeds species and facilitate control measures.
• Conduct pest inspections including issuance of toxic devices for coyote control in confirmed cases of livestock predation.
• Conduct soil conservation inspections.
• Participate in the design and administration of disease and pest surveys, as required.
• Conduct weed inspection and control on municipal lands including hamlets, municipal building yard sites, waste transfer sites, and gravel stockpiles.
• Conduct weed inspection in partnering municipalities as required under the Inter-Local Weed Inspection Agreement.
• Operate equipment including but not limited to: all terrain or utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and tractors.
• Conduct Richardson Ground Squirrel control in hamlets and waste transfer sites.
• Participate in the implementation of extension activities including seminars, demonstrations, or tours.
• Handle licencing of stationary and portable seed cleaning plants, in cooperation with the Agricultural Foreman.
• Ensure adherence to all applicable Wheatland County policies and bylaws.
• Ensure compliance with OH&S including attendance at safety meetings, being properly trained in OH&S related topics, and ensuring work is completed in a safe manner.
• Appropriately, and in a timely manner complete administrative tasks (e.g., issue and maintain reports including the preparation of reports for Agricultural Service Board (ASB), Council, management and partnering municipalities; ensure adequate records of programs are kept).
• Relate to and communicate with co-workers, management, external community and vendors sincerely, clearly, tactfully, promptly and courteously; respond to inquiries and complaints promptly and professionally.
• Perform tasks, consistent with the position, including special projects / assignments, as may be required on an ad hoc basis.

Qualifications:

• Post-secondary diploma or degree from a recognized educational institution in agriculture, or related agricultural experience with specific training in weed inspection and control
• Expertise in agriculture management practices and systems
• Hold a valid pesticide applicators licence with certification courses in agriculture, industrial, landscape, and exterior rodent control
• Hold a Form 7 permit for coyote and skunk control, or have the ability to obtain accreditation
• Proficiency in the use of computer programs including MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook); proficiency in the use of GIS and GPS technology would be an asset
• Valid Class 5 Alberta drivers’ licence
• Effective organizational and time management skills
• Effective interpersonal communication skills
• Effective written communication skills
• Ability to work effectively independently and collaboratively as part of a team

 
Working Conditions:

• (Approximately) April – November (Summer Season) – Monday to Friday; 40 regular hours/week;
• (Approximately) December – March (Winter Season) – Monday to Friday; 40 regular hours/week;
• Overtime required from May through October

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