Description
Inspect pesticide production, distribution, and application activities to protect public health, workers, and the environment, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and local pesticide laws and label directions.
- • Determine the nature of pesticide violations and actions; issue notices and support enforcement hearings.
- • Examine applicator and dealer licenses, permits, and records for compliance.
- • Prepare, organize, and maintain inspection and investigation files.
- • Interview applicators, growers, workers, and witnesses to obtain evidence of suspected misuse.
- • Prepare written and graphic reports with findings, label requirements, and chain-of-custody documentation.
- • Monitor corrective actions and conduct follow-up inspections; review compliance reports.
- • Investigate complaints of drift, off-label use, unlicensed application, worker illness, or illegal sales.
- • Inspect pesticide storage, mixing, loading, transport, application, and disposal for conformance with laws and labels.
- • Inform applicators, dealers, and the public of regulations and inspection results; explain corrective measures.
- • Select sampling locations and methods; collect and preserve crop, soil, water, or wipe samples for residue analysis.
- • Verify proper handling, storage, labeling, and disposal of restricted-use pesticides, containers, and rinsate.
- • Stay current on EPA and state pesticide regulations, label changes, Worker Protection Standard, and best practices.
- • Prioritize investigations and coordinate compliance and enforcement with other agencies.
- • Document field conditions such as weather, wind, buffer zones, equipment condition, and application rates.
- • Follow safety protocols and PPE requirements; recognize and mitigate hazardous conditions and exposures.
- • Evaluate labels, SDS, and application records for accuracy and regulatory compliance.
- • Educate health professionals, growers, and the public on pesticide hazards, exposure symptoms, and reporting.
- • Implement federal, state, or local requirements for pesticide use, IPM, chemigation, and drift-control programs.
- • Perform field screening tests and arrange laboratory residue analyses.
- • Review and evaluate product registrations, applicator certifications, dealer licenses, and restricted-use permits.
- • Calculate application rates, buffer distances, tank mixes, seasonal maximums, and reentry intervals; document and recommend.
- • Develop or review spill prevention, container management, and disposal procedures; recommend corrective actions.
- • Maintain and calibrate sampling and monitoring equipment; manage supplies.
- • Conduct studies on use patterns, drift incidents, and alternatives; assess mitigation options and costs.
- • Respond to inquiries on pesticide rules, complaints, and licensing, or refer to supervisors.
- • Prepare data and documentation to support enforcement actions, penalties, and program metrics.
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O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
