What are the responsibilities and job description for the Agricultural Commodity Inspector 3 Internal position at State of Washington Dept. of Agriculture?
Description
AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
The Opportunity
The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program is one half of the Commodity Inspection Division and provides accurate and unbiased inspection services to the fresh produce and processing industry to ensure orderly marketing of fruits and vegetables. Within an assigned geographical area, this position is a specialist that performs any or all of the duties of the Program Assistant. Commodities are inspected for quality, size, labeling, condition, and contract specifications and may be certified as free from disease and insects as required by domestic and international markets.
This position reports directly to an Agricultural Commodity Inspection Supervisor (ACIS). The incumbent in this position inspects and certifies fresh commodities-such as apples, potatoes and pears at shipping point for domestic and foreign markets. This position identifies symptoms of pest and diseases for phytosanitary inspections and issues federal/state documents for the export of fresh commodities. This position networks with industry, supervisor, district management, co-workers and office staff to create a positive and safe working environment. The Fruit and Vegetable Program is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
Important Notes
WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Agricultural Commodity Inspector 3 position within the Commodity Inspection Services Division. This position is located in Yakima, Washington and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Duties
Include, but are not limited to:
- Inspect commodities to meet State and Federal/State shipping point requirements. US apple Export Act, Importing countries specific work plans and phytosanitary requirements.
- Interpret and apply grade standards while performing inspection procedures for fresh commodities such as potatoes, pears, onions, apples and cherries.
- Follow established sampling procedures when marking/pulling and/or obtaining samples.
- Identify and document various quality and conditions factors.
- Accurately report product maturity, container fill, uniformity, color and size.
- Record detailed accurate inspection information such as sample data into F&V’s FA2LT inspection system or appropriate paper documents.
- Ensure country workplan inspection requirements are met.
- Ensure shipping carton markings are complete and accurate.
- Enforce state and federal fruit and vegetable laws and regulations.
- Reject inspection lots when product is out of tolerance. Issue off grade/conditions reports for non-compliant commodities that do not meet Federal/State regulations and follow proper procedures to ensure the product has the proper disposition.
- Communicate product grade to warehouse to allow for corrective action if necessary.
- Issue federal-state certificates, shipping documents and other clearance documents for domestic and foreign destination.
- Assist with training lower-level staff providing guidance to lower-level staff when asked.
- Conduct on-line quality control for industry participating in the Certificate of Compliance Program. RCW 15-17-143.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
- One (1) year of experience in a state fruit and vegetable office inspecting, grading and certifying fresh fruits and/or vegetables.
OR
- Two (2) years of experience in the agricultural industry working with fresh fruit and/or vegetable production and storage.
- Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver’s license to travel on agency business.
- Must maintain a Federal Commodity Inspection License (FV200) for all commodities within the assigned area.
- Must be able to distinguish between certain colors and pass a colorblind test.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Two years of college level course work with major emphasis in horticulture, agronomy or closely related field.
Supplemental Information
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us atwww.agr.wa.gov.
How to apply:
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:
Current resume detailing experience and education- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
- Three professional references
By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.
Equity at WSDA
The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.
We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov. Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position. The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.
Salary : $43,716 - $56,880
