Weights and Measures Inspector III

Starting salary up to $52.01/hour ($108,551/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*

The Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department is currently recruiting to fill multiple Weights and Measures Inspector positions at either the I, II, or III levels. If you are interested in being considered at the different levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate concurrent recruitments being conducted for each level.

Weights and Measures Inspectors

The Weights and Measures Inspector IIIs, serve as an advanced technical resource responsible for protecting consumers and promoting fair competition by ensuring commercial weighing and measuring devices, packaged goods, and retail pricing practices comply with California laws and regulations. In these roles, they will independently perform complex inspections and testing of specialized weighing and measuring devices, determine compliance, and issue certificates of compliance or notices of violation. They will investigate complex consumer complaints and compliance issues, prepare detailed inspection reports and enforcement documentation, and exercise independent judgment to resolve disputed findings while consulting the Chief Deputy Sealer on significant legal, enforcement, or policy matters. In addition, Weights and Measures Inspector IIIs will lead field assignments, mentor lower-level inspectors, contribute to program and procedure improvements, collaborate on complex inspections and investigations, and represent the Department as a technical expert in meetings, outreach events, and interagency partnerships.
The ideal candidates are confident and collaborative professional who thrives in a role that combines technical expertise, public service, and regulatory responsibility. They communicate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds, build productive relationships with businesses, partner agencies, and legal counsel, and remain calm and professional when resolving complex or sensitive compliance issues. Successful candidates are self-motivated, adaptable, and equally effective working independently in the field or contributing to coordinated inspection and enforcement efforts. They are driven by protecting consumers, promoting fair commerce, and making a meaningful impact through equitable and consistent regulatory practices. The ideal candidates will also possess many of the following:

• Extensive knowledge of weights and measures inspection procedures, investigative methods, and regulatory enforcement practices
• experience independently interpreting and applying complex laws and regulations while exercising sound judgment in regulatory decisions
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to accurately collect, evaluate, and document technical inspection data
• Experience handling sensitive or challenging regulatory situations with professionalism, impartiality, and excellent customer service
• Knowledge of mathematics, statistics, engineering, or a related technical field applicable to weights and measures inspections
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to clearly explain technical and regulatory requirements to businesses, agencies, and the public
• A commitment to continuous learning, attention to detail, safe work practices, and maintaining a high standard of technical expertise
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) skills are desired, but not required

Please note: Weights and Measures Inspector II positions perform fieldwork in a wide variety of commercial, agricultural, and industrial environments. Assignments require driving County vehicles to multiple inspection sites throughout the County and working outdoors in varying weather conditions. Inspectors may work early mornings, evenings, weekends, and/or holidays to accommodate business operations, conduct undercover inspections, or support time-sensitive enforcement activities. Overtime may be required during peak inspection periods or special projects. Work may involve interactions with business owners, the general public, and individuals who may be upset or non-compliant. Weights and Measures Inspectors must adhere to safety protocols and handle sensitive regulatory situations with professionalism and impartiality.
Agriculture / Weights and Measures

The Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department is responsible for protecting consumers, supporting local businesses, and preserving the integrity of the marketplace. Through education, inspections, and enforcement of California’s food, agriculture, and weights and measures laws, the Department helps ensure that commercial transactions are accurate, fair, and transparent. From verifying the accuracy of fuel pumps and grocery scales to enforcing product labeling and quality standards, this work impacts residents and businesses every day. Joining means becoming part of a team that helps protect Sonoma County’s economy while making a meaningful difference in the community.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Salary Advancement– A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off– Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions – 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement – County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement – A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave– May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits – Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief– County employees may be eligible for Public Service Loan Forgiveness through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the Service Employees International Union Local 1021 Memorandum Of Understanding (SEIU MOU) and our Employee Benefits Directory.

This Weights and Measures Inspector III employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. . The Civil Service title for this position is Agriculture/Weights & Measures Inspector III.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, “See Resume” or “See Application” may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant’s application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate’s personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant’s name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver’s license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.

Additional Information

A background investigation is required prior to employment. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: CA

HR Technician: VH