Job # AHFS-50564118-3.12.25-CH

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and State as a Model Employer (SAME) to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

This position (#50564118) is located in the Office of Animal Health and Food Safety/Brand Commission.    

This position is located in Tangipahoa Parish

Selected Core Competencies: 

• Demonstrating Accountability: The ability to accept ownership for your actions, behaviors, performance, and decisions. 

• Learning Actively: The ability to acquire necessary knowledge and skills to improve performance and achieve organizational goals. 

• Using Data: The ability to use relevant and valid data to inform a recommendation for action. 

Selected Preferred Competencies:

     •Acting Decisively: The ability to make decisions quickly and effectively.

     •Acting with Ethics and Integrity: The ability to be consistent, honest, and a trustworthy steward of State resources.

     •Adapting to Change: The ability to adjust plans, expectations, and behaviors in response to change.

     •Demonstrating Initiative: The ability to assess information and take action independently to help the organization achieve its goals.

     •Demonstrating Persistence: The ability to achieve goals by overcoming adversity.

     •Displaying Professionalism: The ability to recognize how your actions impact the perceptions of both you and your organization.

     •Focusing on Customers: The ability to serve the needs of those who support and/or rely on the services provided.

As part of a Career Progression Group, vacancies may be filled from this recruitment as an Agriculture/Forestry Enforcement Officer 1, 2 or 3 depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s).  Please refer to the 'Job Specifications' tab located at the top of the LA Careers 'Current Job Opportunities' page of the Civil Service website for specific information on salary ranges, minimum qualifications and job concepts for each level.  

To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities.

Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their applications to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.

Resumes WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the work experience sections of the application.

This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.

All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening.

For further information about this vacancy, contact:

Cody Hulbert

Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry

5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001

Baton Rouge, LA 70806

Chulbert@ldaf.state.la.us
 
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors. 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Three years of law enforcement experience as a POST certified peace officer commissioned with the power of arrest; OR

A bachelor’s degree in agricultural sciences, veterinary science, forestry, or in a biological science or a criminal justice field.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
An applicant who has been convicted of a felony or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from the disabilities imposed by state and federal laws is granted.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Possession of a current Louisiana driver's license.

A drug screen and background check will be administered prior to employment.

Successful completion of a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification within 6 months of employment.

Function of Work:
To provide protection of life and/or property through enforcement of criminal statutes related to agriculture and forestry lands and activities.

Level of Work:
Entry.

Supervision Received:
Close from an Agriculture/Forestry Enforcement Officer of a higher grade.

Supervision Exercised:
None.

Location of Work:
Department of Agriculture and Forestry.

Job Distinctions:
Differs from Agriculture/Forestry Enforcement Officer 2 by the absence of authority to perform duties independently at the experienced level.

Performs inspectional and commissioned law enforcement work to accomplish the objectives of the Office of Forestry and the Office of Animal Health Services of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry.   General Supervision received from a higher level Ag/Forestry

Enforcement Manager..

50%

Incumbent is responsible for developing, implementing and participating in special statewide investigations and operations as well as joint investigations with other law enforcement agencies.  Participates in investigations with State Police, Sheriff’s Departments, Municipal Police Departments, and District Attorney Offices.  Incumbent interviews suspects and witnesses involved in each case, takes written, recorded or taped statements, prepares paperwork for search warrants and affidavits for arrest, executes search warrants, makes arrest and transports suspects.  Presents cases to the district attorney’s office along with all items of evidence, prepares case reports, counsels with district attorneys and appears in court relative to investigations.

Incumbent will serve on a First Response Team to when national alerts are issued by the Federal Department of Homeland Security/GOHSEP.

Must possess thorough knowledge of the Louisiana Agriculture industry to determine level of threats and to assess risk to animals, poultry population and the forestry industry. Monitors terrorists threats and stays alert for any such related activity at auction barns, meat processing plants, and timber/lumber establishments.    Enforcement personnel must look for individuals that stand out in a situation or act suspiciously.

Incumbent is responsible for recognizing foreign animal diseases by looking for animals that do not fit normal patterns of behavior or  appearance.  Diseases include swine fever, anthrax, vesicular pseudorabies, tuberculosis, brucellosis, rabies, Newcastle disease, avian influenza, salmonellas, ornithosis and infectious laryngotracheitis, any disease classified by the USDA as a foreign animal disease or any other disease condition which may seriously threaten the welfare of the animal and poultry populations of this state.

Responsible for assisting in quarantines, assist other enforcement or government agencies, man roadblocks on major highway arteries and conduct patrols on secondary entry points.  Will also assist Veterinary Medical Officers (VMO) in gaining access for disease assessment.

Assists other agencies with emergency calls, accidents, or health related incidents.

Qualifies yearly for use of firearms and is recertified yearly maintains his/her certification requirements specified by the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement/P.O.S.T Council.

50% 

Inspects activities of public auction markets, stock yards, and related facilities to identify and record livestock being sold, transported or slaughtered.    Investigate violations of livestock control laws and incidents of cattle theft, brand alteration or other violations, and issue citations or make arrest as required.  Work is reviewed by reports, conferences and results obtained.

Collect and disseminate information relative to live cattle market sales, which requires that incumbents maintain USDA certification as Livestock Market Reporters.

Inspects and enforces all Livestock Brand Commission laws regarding methods, procedures and techniques utilized in identifying, transporting, selling and slaughtering livestock.  Assist in the promotion of brand registration among cattlemen and assist in handling livestock problems which arise in assigned area.

Patrol highways as assigned and maintain roadblocks; investigates cattle theft activities; seize and dispose of stolen or stray livestock in accordance with state laws.   Compile and write investigative reports of violations of Livestock Brand Laws and Regulations.  Initiate surveillance and makes arrests in sensitive or dangerous situations.  Responds to all animal neglect cases; seizes animals and files charges against responsible persons if needed.  Conducts Administrative/Regulatory Investigations under the jurisdictional authority under the Louisiana Board of Animal Health.

Conducts criminal and administrative investigations at the technical and expert level regarding the complexity of cases and use of technical and advance methods in developing evidence.

Handles public speaking events and agriculture speaking events that are relevant to address agriculture related crimes and matters enforceable under the Louisiana Board of Animal Health.

Conducts training and serves as field training officer as the subject matter expert in the field of agriculture related crimes.

Assist Federal and Local Law Enforcement Agencies in investigations related to criminal activity involving Agriculture.

Responds to State and National Emergencies under the required ESF functions dictated in the All Hazards Plan.

Functional Requirements

•Moderate light lifting, 30 pounds with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds

•Reaching above shoulders

•Walking and standing (8 hours)

•Climbing stairs and occasionally ladders

•Occasional bending or kneeling

Lifting items such as briefcase, computer, scanner, luggage or other items used to travel 

 and perform field audits

•Sit over a long period of time at work station or in a vehicle for travel

•Drive a vehicle to perform audits and investigations

•Sit over a long period of time while on wildfire patrols

•Climbing stairs and ladders

•Reaching above shoulders and carrying specialized equipment needed to perform duties

•Requires considerable walking over irregular ground and standing for long periods of 

 time

•Occasional demands may be required for moderately strenuous activities in

emergencies over long periods of time

•Climbing on and off transport and tractor

Environmental Factors:

•Working indoors and occasionally outdoors

•Occasional excessive heat and humidity

•May be required to wear appropriate safety protection

•Working indoors and outdoors

•Excessive heat and humidity

•Slippery and uneven walking surfaces

•Working around routine neighborhood residential hazards

•Occasionally working in moderately cold temperatures for short periods of time

•Frequently required to wear appropriate safety protection

•Regularly working with and around treated seeds and seed testing chemicals

•Exposed to grain dust, bad odors from farm animals, chemicals, fertilizers and other 

 agricultural materials

•Working in cold temperatures for short periods of time

•Required to wear appropriate safety protection

•Working around routine neighborhood residential and wildland hazards

•Exposed to smoke and dust

•Excessive smoke, heat, humidity, cold, wet, and extreme dry conditions

•Walking on irregular ground for long distances

•Working around livestock and large farm animals that may be potentially Unruly or 

uncontrollable