Plant Inspector

Job Information

Opening Date/Time: 01/13/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time: 01/26/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly): $3,631.00

Salary (Annually): $43,572.00

Job Type: Full-Time

City, State

Location:

Nashville, TN

Department:
Agriculture

Location of Position(s):
Department of Agriculture, Consumer and Industry Services Division, Davidson County

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, or other related plant sciences field and experience equivalent to two years of full‑time work in one or a combination of the following: (1) the development or enforcement of regulations which deal with the production or distribution of horticultural/agricultural plants or the application of commercial pesticides, or (2) the production and distribution, or scientific study of horticultural plants.

Substitution of Experience for

Education:

Qualifying full‑time professional experience in (1) the development or enforcement of regulations which deal with the production or distribution of horticultural/agricultural plants or the application of commercial pesticides, or (2) the production and distribution, or scientific study of horticultural plants may be substituted for the required education, on a year‑for‑year basis, to a maximum of four years (e.g., experience equivalent to one year of full‑time work in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required education).

Substitution of Education for

Experience:

Additional graduate course work in horticulture, entomology, plant pathology and/or other related plant sciences field may be substituted for the required experience, on a year‑for‑year basis, to a maximum of one year (e.g., 45 quarter hours with at least nine quarter hours in one or a combination of the above listed fields may substitute for one year of the required experience).

Necessary Special

Qualifications:

A valid vehicle operators license may be required for employment in some positions.

Examination Method:
Education and Experience, 100%, for Preferred Service positions.

Under general supervision, is responsible for professional inspection and enforcement work of average difficulty involving wholesalers and retailers subject to horticultural laws and regulations; and performs related work as required.

This is the working level class in the Plant Inspection sub‑series. An employee in this class inspects and certifies wholesale and retail nursery and greenhouse stock. This class differs from that of Plant Inspector 1, in that an incumbent of the latter functions at the entry level. This class differs from Plant Inspector 3 in that an incumbent of the latter functions as a regional supervisor.

An employee appointed to this flexibly staffed class will be reclassified to this class after successful completion of a mandatory two‑year training period; inadequate or marginal performance during the training period will result in automatic demotion or termination.

1. Inspects and recommends certification of plant producers for the production and distribution of plants; inspects wholesale and retail plant producers' and/or dealers' stock for proper storage to ensure plants are maintained and sold true to their variety, viability, and labeling; inspects plants for disease, insects, and/or plant pests; completes nursery certification forms to approve nurseries, greenhouses, and other plant producers for production and distribution.

2. Certifies plant shipments for intrastate, interstate, and international transport and sale; inspects wholesale and retail plant producers' and/or dealers' stock for proper storage to ensure plants are maintained and sold true to their variety, viability, and labeling; inspects plants for disease, insects, and/or plant pests; completes phytosanitary certification forms to approve plant shipments for transfer or sale.

3. Enforces regulations concerned with plant pest and disease control; examines records of retail plant dealers and/or producers to ensure plants have been purchased from certified sources to…