Fruit and Vegetable Inspector

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy This posting will be used to fill multiple positions.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 approximately 780 employees 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 OpportunityThe Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program is part 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. 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, cherries, onions, potatoes, and pears at the shipping point for domestic and foreign markets. This position identifies symptoms of pests and diseases for phytosanitary inspections and issues federal / state documents for the export of fresh commodities.Position and Salary InformationWSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Agriculture Commodity Inspector 3 position within the Commodity Inspection Fruit and Vegetable Division.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 : $43,716 - $56,880 annually .What to ExpectSome of the various responsibilities within this role include : Inspect commodities to meet State and Federal / State shipping point requirements, including US apple Export Act and specific phytosanitary requirements.Interpret and apply grade standards while performing inspection procedures for fresh commodities.Follow established sampling procedures when marking / pulling and / or obtaining samples.Identify and document various quality and condition factors.Accurately report product maturity, container fill, uniformity, color, and size.Record detailed accurate inspection information 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 and issue off grade / conditions reports for non-compliant commodities.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 destinations.Assist with training lower-level staff.Conduct on-line quality control for the Certificate of Compliance Program.Who should apply?Professionals with : High school diploma or GED.Special RequirementsMust be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver's license to travel on agency business.Must be able to acquire and 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 color-blind test.Preferred / Desired Qualifications : Two years of college level coursework with major emphasis in horticulture, agronomy or a closely related field.Employee BenefitsA healthy work / life balance, which may include flexible work schedules and teleworking.WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits.12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.How to applyYou must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents :

• A resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Three professional referencesBy 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.WSDA uses a I-9 form to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification once hired. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.Contact UsShould you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov . A background check will be conducted prior to a new appointment.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.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.For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov .#J-18808-Ljbffr

Salary : $43,716 - $56,880