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Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is excited to announce a position opening for Certification Specialist (CS) to join our team. As a CS, you will have responsibility for providing excellent customer service as you review organic files and determine compliance status. Experience with processor / handler / food manufacturers is preferred. This is fully remote with very minimal travel.
PCO is a growing non-profit organization that works with farmers and food producers across the US. PCO provides organic certification services to more than 1600 operations, employs approximately 40 staff, and sub-contracts with around 50 inspectors. Our staff are dedicated to our vision: A world where agriculture systems prioritize health, ecological balance, fairness and care. and we are committed to a work culture of purpose, caring, and results.
This is a full-time, exempt, remote telecommuting position.
Salary range: $53,000 to $66,000 depending on experience.
We’ll be reviewing applications as they are submitted. We encourage interested parties to submit applications as soon as possible. Priority will be given to applications received by June 25th, 2024 and the position will remain open until filled.
The health and wellbeing of our team members is a top priority at PCO. View our benefits on our website: https://paorganic.org/about/staff/openings/
PCO is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. We do not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, ancestry, political beliefs, union membership, disability (in accordance with the American With Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act), veteran status, gender or sexual orientation, marital or familial status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by law. We value and encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; members of the LGBTQ community; veterans; people with disabilities; and people who have been formerly incarcerated. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for opportunities when they don’t feel fully qualified. We are most interested in finding the best candidate, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to submit your interest.
Certification Specialist
Position Summary:
The Certification Specialist performs file review, which supports the certification review process responsibility of the Certification Team.
Team Statement:
The Certification Specialist is a member of the Certification Team, which has the following areas of responsibility:
1. Certification Review Process
2. Certification Policy and Procedures
3. Compliance and Enforcement
The Certification Specialist’s work focuses on all areas listed above.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Certification Review Process
Review certification applications and updates, inspection reports and supporting documentation and determine compliance status as assigned by supervisor
Provide information and respond to requests for information about PCO and organic certification via email, letter, phone and occasional virtual or in-person meetings.
Complete assigned workload in accordance with Certification Review Team timelines and communicate with supervisor about delays
Serve as primary contact person for clients assigned by supervisor
Provide evaluative feedback on inspector performance
Work daily with a complex, proprietary database to perform the regular tasks of the job. Ensures that database records are consistent and current
Certification Policy & Procedure
Support the development and maintenance of certification forms and documents
Maintain an understanding of the USDA National Organic Program regulations, as well as PCO policy and procedures
As applicable, maintain an understanding of Organic Plus Trust Grassfed regulations
Implement certification policies and procedures
Compliance and Enforcement
Make autonomous or semi-autonomous decisions about clients’ compliance with USDA NOP Rule using accurate sources of data and communicate those decisions to clients in a timely manner
Write compliance findings, including Conditions, Notifications of Noncompliance and Adverse Actions
Perform mediations and draft settlement agreements with support from Certification Program Managers, as needed.
Monitor response deadlines for outgoing compliance, including managing reminders
Ensure compliance responses are received within applicable deadlines.
Work with Certification Program Manager to respond to rebuttals and appeals of adverse certification decisions
Participate in audits and accreditation site visits, as requested by the Quality Team
Other
Participate in Certification Team meetings
Conduct inspections of operations requesting certification, if qualified and as assigned by the team leader
Ensure the avoidance of conflict of interest throughout the certification process and update the PCO Conflict of Interest form on an annual basis at a minimum
Serving as a representative of PCO in relevant industry areas as appropriate, and role modeling diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Represent PCO at public events, as needed
Any other task relevant to these duties or the mission of the organization as assigned by the supervisor or Certification Deputy Director
Job Requirements*:
Position
Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, preferably in agriculture, biology, environmental studies, or food science.
Familiarity with regulatory compliance
Knowledge of the certification to USDA organic standards and evidence of education, training or professional experience in the fields of agriculture, science or organic production and handling that relates to assigned duties.
Familiarity with the certification procedure
Excellent organizational skills
Attention to detail
General
Analytical problem-solving ability
Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform within deadlines
Excellent communication and writing skills
Excellent interpersonal skills
Able to work with minimal supervision while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with others. Must be able to develop a work plan and perform in a team environment.
Computer proficiency: word processing, spreadsheets, internet research, databases. Comfort using a computer for multiple hours at a time.
Performs work with utmost honesty and integrity. Criminal background check is required.
Understands and appreciates the importance of extraordinary customer service
Dedicated to PCO’s mission
United States citizen or legally approved to be employed in this position in the United States
All other duties as assigned by supervisor or Executive Director.
Class: Full time, exempt
Reports to: Certification Program Manager
Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:
Climate controlled office environment
Minimal physical requirements other than occasional light lifting
This is a remote “work from home” position. The regular schedule is an 8-hour workday. Standard office hours are between 8:30am - 4:30 pm EST.
Moderate travel may be required
Valid driver’s license
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned, to ensure workload coverage. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as organizational needs and requirements of the job change.
Full Time
Energy
$67k-103k (estimate)
06/13/2024
08/22/2024
paorganic.org
Spring Mills, PA
50 - 100
Energy
The job skills required for Certification Specialist include Customer Service, Problem Solving, Organizational Skills, etc. Having related job skills and expertise will give you an advantage when applying to be a Certification Specialist. That makes you unique and can impact how much salary you can get paid. Below are job openings related to skills required by Certification Specialist. Select any job title you are interested in and start to search job requirements.
The following is the career advancement route for Certification Specialist positions, which can be used as a reference in future career path planning. As a Certification Specialist, it can be promoted into senior positions as a Member Certification Manager that are expected to handle more key tasks, people in this role will get a higher salary paid than an ordinary Certification Specialist. You can explore the career advancement for a Certification Specialist below and select your interested title to get hiring information.