1. Supervises a team of professional staff;
2. Acts as the statewide case review officer; or
3. Is a program coordinator for multiple or specialized program areas

Positions designated as program coordinator have policy-making impact in areas that serve a broad interest both internally and externally to the agency. Incumbents focus on strategic as well as tactical issues in developing policy and/or program areas. Program coordinators are designated in writing by the Program Manager and approved by the Assistant Director or higher.
The statewide case review officer analyzes enforcement cases and advises on departmental action, prepares legal documents, and assists attorneys and department personnel in legal proceedings.

Analyzes enforcement cases, reviews strengths and weaknesses of cases and advises on departmental action; prepares legal documents (Notices of Intent, Settlement Agreements, Notices of Hearing and, at times, Notices of Correction) for the Department’s Attorney General’s office, Administrative Law Judges and the alleged infractor; communicates with lawyers and assists in negotiating settlements; consults with and assists managers in evaluating the ability of the field investigators to write effective investigative reports; assists others in their preparation for hearings and depositions;

As a division specialist: negotiates with industry representatives and contributes to the development and/or modification of laws and/or rules that affect industry, the public and/or the environment; writes reports for internal and external distribution and/or publication relevant to specialty;

Represents the division in a decision-making capacity, and interacts with governmental agencies at the local, state and/or federal level; serves as a hearing officer for public hearings or information-gathering meetings held by the agency;

Plans, coordinates and implements comprehensive methods to the regulation of new and developing science and/or technology;

Develops and/or assists in development of technical assistance programs and presentations for the general public that can be implemented at the 1,2 and/or 3 level; provides training sessions in area(s) of expertise for Pesticide Management Division specialists and other staff as needed;

Trains and supervises assigned staff; ensures uniform standards and procedures are in place and complied with; assists subordinates with the most difficult problems arising out of their assignments;

Supervises the auditing of feed and fertilizer company tonnage records;

Establishes and maintains a monitoring program to prevent or detect violations of feed, fertilizer, or pesticide laws;

Supervises and participates in the registration of feeds, fertilizers, and pesticides;

Coordinates pesticide registrations with the US Environmental Protection Agency;

Provides technical information and label interpretation to users, other enforcement agencies and the general public;

Performs other work as required.

Knowledge of: in-depth knowledge of designated specialty field(s) in pesticides, feeds and/or fertilizers as related to Washington State agricultural disciplines (includes farm, forestry, nursery and greenhouse), or non-agricultural disciplines (includes ornamental, structural, rights-of-way and specialty applications); thorough familiarity with applicable federal and state laws and rules; principles of supervision; working knowledge of Pesticide Management Division protocols and procedures relating to regulated products and activities.
Ability to: work independently while incorporating the project goals and objectives as defined by management; create and provide training and informational materials on specialty; apply theoretical and research information on the practical aspects of agricultural and non-agricultural regulated industries; represent division as a recognized expert; independently contribute and advise other governmental agencies; ability to work under pressure and to defuse potential misunderstanding(s) regarding WSDA policies and findings; supervise and train personnel; act as a public resource in the specialty area(s); give effective oral presentations regarding specialty and WSDA issues.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

A Bachelors degree which must include at least 25 semester or 40 quarter hours in a natural or physical science and five years of professional experience in a natural resource, environmental or health regulator agency, in the pest management field, or in the feed or fertilizer industry.
A Masters degree in a natural or physical science will substitute for one year of required experience.
A Ph.D. degree in a natural or physical science will substitute for two years of required experienced.


Two years of experience as an Agricultural Chemical Specialist or Agricultural Chemical Specialist 3.

New class: 10-15-82
Revised definition and minimum qualifications, title change (formerly Agricultural Chemical Investigator 4): 9-18-89
Revised definition: 2-15-91
Revised definition and minimum qualifications, add distinguishing characteristics: 7-1-96
Revised definition, distinguishing characteristics, minimum qualifications, salary adjustment, and title changed (formerly Agricultural Chemical Specialist 4): 9-19-03
New class code: (formerly 44830) effective July 1, 2007
Abolished job class adopted June 22, 2023, effective July 1, 2023. See Pesticide Regulatory Specialist series.