Agricultural Commodity Grader I
Job Location:
Baltimore County, MD - USA
Hourly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a departmentunder Marylands Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland GeneralAssembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland theDepartment oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health consumerservices to include marketing and lab services plant and pest management and resourceconservation. As the number one industry in Maryland the diversity ofagriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow.
The Food Quality Assurance Program consists of foursections that conduct a variety of inspections audits registrations andcertifications of agricultural commodities and facilities to provide consumerswith safe high quality agricultural food products while maintaining fair tradepractices and enhancing product marketability for the agricultural activities of this Program are funded through fees charged to producersprocessors and wholesalers. This position is emergency essential on a rotatingshift and must have flexibility to work various day or night shifts.
Day shift is typically 7:00 am-5:00 pm and Night Shift couldbe from 4:30 pm-3:30am.
U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDAlicensing.
Positions are available in Baltimore County and acrosscounties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This recruitment will fill three (3)total vacancies: two (2) positions based on the Eastern Shore and one (1)position based in Baltimore County. Primary duties will be completed withineach positions designated region; however training and coverage shifts mayrequire occasional work outside of the assigned area.
Job Duties include but are not limited to the following:
Select evaluate and documentresults for samples of poultry accurately efficiently and in accordance withestablished standards. Evaluate safety hazards document findings and takeappropriate action in accordance with established standards and procedures as product or prohibit processing of USDA shielded product based on safetyhazards labeling and/or sampling results and maintain control of retained product.
Review documents regulationsprocedure updates memos specifications etc. from Maryland Department ofAgriculture United States Department of Agriculture and other agenciesmaintain files/handbooks initiate action to implement as required. Complete andsubmit required documents (certificates volume reports time sheets work assignmentsheets charge sheets etc.) accurately and in accordance with established requirements.
Effectively communicate with plantmanagement MDA supervisor and other MDA employees industrypersonnel/management wholesale retail and food service management federalsupervisors consumers etc. concerning regulations technical gradingstandards procedures and non- compliances. Prompt and dependable coverage ofassigned shifts and other duties as assigned in accordance with established procedures.
Provide effective training andeducation concerning poultry standards & quality factors (in accordancewith program goals and needs) to plant employees and other MDA employees to asrequested by plant management MDA supervisors or USDA supervisors inaccordance with regulations and to students and the general public at publicfairs seminars for industry etc. Successfully completes available training tomaintain professional standards in accordance with the training plan. Overseeand coordinate grading activities at poultry processing plants to ensurespecification requirements are met.
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: One year of successful progressively responsible technical experience in a phase of sampling testing marketing grading or inspecting agricultural products.
Notes:
1. Candidates may substitute additional experience on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required education.
2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience non-commissioned officer in quality assurance inspection and grading classification or quality assurance inspection and grading specialty codes in the agricultural commodity grading field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.
Preference will be given to applicantswho possess the following preferred qualification(s).Include clear and specific information on your application regardingyour qualifications.
Experience working in anindustrial manufacturing or processing environment with exposure to raw foodproducts chemicals temperature extremes odors heavy machinery or slipperyfloors or requirements to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
Experience in any phase ofsampling testing marketing grading or inspecting agricultural products.
Experience working on a farm orranch including internships and volunteer work.
U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDAlicensing.
Employees in this classification will be assigned dutieswhich require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such dutieswill be required to possess a motor vehicle operators license valid in theState of Maryland.
Employees in this classification must obtain the appropriatecommodity grader license issued by the United States Department of Agricultureafter a period of training and within three months of appointment.
Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing will not consider information submitted after this candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified Better Qualified or Qualified and placed on theeligible (employment) list for at least one year.
The assessment may consist of a rating of your education training and experience related to the requirements of the is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your report all experience and education that is related to this position.
Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents. As a contractual employee you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage accidental death and dismemberment insurance and life insurance but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.
Leave may be granted to a contractual employee at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.
- Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.
- Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.
- If you are submitting additional information such as diplomas or transcripts the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.
- If you are unable to upload email is the preferred method of delivery. You may also mail hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # ). All paper applications must be received by the closing date no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.)
