Public competition launched by the Lazio Region for phytosanitary inspectors and agents

The Lazio region has launched a public competition to recruit 14 inspectors and 40 phytosanitary agents, with a total of 54 vacancies available for graduates and diploma holders. This initiative, aimed at strengthening the phytosanitary security sector, aims to better protect regional flora and crops and responds to the need for control and prevention against harmful substances and pests that threaten agriculture and the environment. Here you will find all information on how to participate in the competition. Profiles and tasks The roles in the competition include two different professional profiles: Phytosanitary Inspector (official in technical field, former category D): Inspectors are responsible for phytosanitary protection, prevention of the spread of harmful organisms and plant safety. Their main tasks include conducting inspections on plants and derived products, issuing export certificates and implementing containment measures for phytosanitary threats. Inspectors have the qualifications of judicial police officers, allowing them to autonomously prescribe and impose phytosanitary protection measures, ensuring strict control and enforcement of current regulations. Phytosanitary Agent (Technical Area Instructor, former Category C): Phytosanitary Agents assist and support inspectors in control operations. Although they do not have the power to prescribe measures independently, they support the inspectors’ activities by proposing sanctions and corrective measures to ensure compliance with phytosanitary regulations. Agents have the qualification of judicial police officers. Competition Requirements To participate in the competition it is necessary to meet the general entry requirements for public competitions, including: – Citizenship: Italian or from an EU Member State, or possession of a valid residence permit. – Age: Between 18 years and the maximum retirement age. – Physical fitness: Necessary to perform the specific tasks of the required profiles. – Civil and Political Rights: The enjoyment of civil and political rights is required, along with fulfillment of military obligations (for candidates subject to such obligations) and absence of layoffs or dismissals from previous government jobs. – Absence of criminal convictions: Applicants must have no pending criminal convictions. – Driving license: A type B driving license is required for both profiles. Required Educational Qualifications: Inspectors Educational qualifications vary depending on the position applied for: Phytosanitary Inspectors: A master’s degree in: – LM-6 – Biological Sciences – LM-7 – Agricultural Biotechnology – LM-60 – Natural Sciences – LM-69 – Agricultural Sciences and – technologies – LM-70 – Food sciences and technologies – LM-73 – Forestry and environmental sciences and technologies – LM-75 – Environmental and territorial sciences and technologies Specialist degrees and legacy system degrees considered equivalent are also valid. Required educational qualifications: Agents Phytosanitary agents: A high school diploma in: – Agricultural or agrotechnical expert – Technological sector with a focus on agriculture, agri-food and agro-industry – Service sector focused on agriculture, rural development and improvement of the territorial products – Higher technical responsible for agricultural, agro-food and agro-industrial productions Three-year degrees in: – L-13 – Biological Sciences – L-02 – Biotechnology – L-25 – Agricultural and Forestry Sciences – L-26 – Agro-food Sciences – L-29 – Pharmaceutical sciences and technologies – L-32 – Environmental and natural sciences and technologies – LP-02 – Technical professions in agriculture, food and Methods of submitting forestry applications Applications can only be submitted online through the Inpa portal. Candidates must register and submit required documentation by December 2, 2024 at 11:30 PM. A certified email address (PEC) is also required to complete registration. Competition tests and exam topics The competition includes two mandatory tests for access to the roles: – Written test: it will consist of a series of open questions or multiple choice questions aimed at testing the technical and professional knowledge of the candidates. – Oral test: this assesses the ability to apply phytosanitary regulations and includes questions on Italian and computer science. The examination subjects include: – National and European phytosanitary legislation – Regulations on the production and marketing of seeds and plant material – Integrated crop protection and organic farming – Knowledge of harmful organisms that threaten plants – Administrative law – Regional law specific to Lazio – Criminal law , with special attention to offenses against public administration – Notions on public employment The minimum score to pass each test is 21/30. Evaluation of titles When evaluating academic titles, a maximum of 10 additional points are possible, with differentiated scores based on the titles obtained: – 0.5 points for first-level master’s – 1.5 points for second-level master – 2 points for a specialization diploma – 2.5 points for a research doctorate – 1 point for professional qualification obtained via state examination contract and salary. The winners are hired on a permanent basis. Phytosanitary inspectors, classified as officers (former category D), will earn approximately €1,600 net per month, while phytosanitary officers, classified as instructors (former category C), will receive an average net salary of approximately €1,400 per month.