What are the responsibilities and job description for the QA/QC Training Specialist 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:
As part of the Commodity Inspection Division, the Grain Inspection Program supports domestic and international trade of grains, pulses, and commodities by providing sampling, weighing, testing, inspection, and certification services that substantiate the quality, quantity, condition, and pest free status.
As a QA/QC Training Specialist you will assist the region's operations by providing practical training and mentoring to the technical and inspection staff in the assigned region as well as leading the in-training inspection staff. The incumbent works closely with the Quality Assurance lead to ensure the inspections performed by new and current inspectors are in alignment with standards set by the United States Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Agricultural Marketing Service, Federal Grain Inspection Service (USDA AMS FGIS). Components of this position include region wide responsibility for establishing and maintaining a pro-active quality assurance management program, providing responsive USDA/FGIS scale authorization services and managing the inspection equipment program.
Important Notes
WSDA is recruiting internally for a full-time permanent Grain Inspector 3 position within the Commodity Inspection Division. This position is located in Colfax, Washington. This position is represented by Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Union.
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $56,880.00 - $74,724.00 annually.
Duties
What to Expect
Include, but are not limited to:
- Lead, coordinate, and monitor the training, quality assurance review, and in-training proficiency of new employees within the region.
- Follow standards provided by the United States Department of Agriculture, Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration, Federal Grain Inspection Service (USDA, GIPSA, FGIS), interprets standards and develops training materials to ensure inspector in-training employees are well equipped to obtain federal inspection licenses and perform high-quality daily work.
- Develop broad-based and individualized training curriculum; coordinate and review the work of new inspection staff.
- Administer informal testing of in-training candidates and assess and identify the training needs of the in-training candidates in the region based on own observations and feedback from the Regional Manager, Quality Assurance management staff, or the Inspection Supervisors.
- Assess employees’ performance and assist grain supervisor in preparing performance appraisals for all in-training employees.
- Work in conjunction with the Inspection Supervisors to ensure staff participation in data and/or sample collection and sharing processes and plans initiated by the Quality Assurance staff.
- Assess training needs of existing inspection staff and provides or arranges for additional instruction.
- Inspect, grade, and certify grain and agricultural commodities at mills, shipping points, grain elevators and other locations, and operates testing equipment in a laboratory.
- Weigh and/or sample, and examine grain and agricultural commodities at mills, shipping points, grain elevators and other locations, and operates testing equipment in laboratory. Work with hopper, platform, dial, and electronic scales to determine weights and make necessary adjustments as needed; record gross and tare weights, compute net weights and issue Domestic Official Weight Certificates. Maintain records and documentation of scale conditions and all weighing activities
- Record all testing results into ECT database.
- Responsible for testing all equipment used for grain and commodities inspection at all Washington State Grain and Bean Inspection locations.
- Must possess a working knowledge of all inspection equipment and testing requirements.
- Must maintain and test the standard equipment in the Olympia Office to align with FGIS Technical Services Division equipment.
- Monitor the objective results to track equipment performance, identify trends, and make recommendations to grain supervisor and the Regional Manager with regard to employee actions.
- Scale and Equipment curriculum.
- Testing potential employees and obtaining new licenses.
- Monitor inspection performance of regional inspection staff (roughly 20-70 FTE's) to maintain alignment with the Grain Inspection, Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS/FGIS) standards and interpretive lines. These inspectors are located in field offices across the region.
- Provide field offices guidance, which includes inspecting and grading alongside inspection staff to ensure interpretive factors are aligned with federal grading standards. This can result in additional training for employees or require them to repick a grain.
- Participate in, monitor and report on program performance in the FGIS Grain Inspection and Monitoring System.
- Maintain access and working knowledge of FGIS Quality Assurance Program and to the FGIS official service provider licensing database.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
- High School Diploma or GED.
- Must have a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) and 21 specific licenses required by the US Grain Standards Act and USDA Agricultural Marketing Act.
- Eight (8) basic USDA Agricultural Marketing (AMS) commodity inspection licenses to include wheat, corn, soybeans and sorghum.
- Two (2) years’ experience in a state grain inspection office or in grain industry production, processing, marketing, and testing.
- Two (2) years’ experience as a lead or providing performance feedback to peers/in-training staff.
Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver’s license to travel on agency business
Preferred/Desired:
- Bachelor's degree with major study in agronomy or closely allied field.
- Knowledge of rules, regulations, and procedures for testing AMS approved scales and equipment.
- Experience in a state grain inspection office or in grain industry production, processing, marketing and testing.
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 : $56,880 - $74,724
