AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY GRADER I ((3) Full-Time Contractual Positions)

JobAps; Baltimore, Northern (MD, KY); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits subsidy

Paid leave

Job summary

The Maryland Department of Agriculture seeks a resident Poultry Grader to select, evaluate and certify poultry samples for grade, weight, labeling and buyer specifications. This role supports uniform marketing and consumer safety across assigned regions in Maryland.

You will document results, coordinate with plant management and USDA staff, provide training on poultry standards, and prepare certificates and reports. This is an emergency essential, day/night shift position requiring U.S.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• 1 year of experience in sampling, testing, grading or inspecting agricultural products preferred.

Responsibilities

• Select, evaluate and document results for poultry samples.
• Maintain records and ensure compliance with grading standards.
• Coordinate grading activities and communicate with plant management and USDA staff.
• Provide training on poultry standards to plant employees and MDA staff.

Education

High school diploma

1 year experience in sampling/inspection

Job description

The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation. As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow. The Food Quality Assurance Program consists of four sections that conduct a variety of inspections, audits, registrations and certifications of agricultural commodities and facilities to provide consumers with safe, high quality agricultural food products while maintaining fair trade practices and enhancing product marketability for the agricultural industry. All activities of this Program are funded through fees charged to producers, processors and wholesalers. This position is emergency essential, on a rotating shift and must have flexibility to work various day or night shifts. Day shift is typically 7:00 am-5:00 pm and Night Shift could be from 4:30 pm-3:30am. U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA licensing.

GRADE

ASTD9

LOCATION OF POSITION

Positions are available in Baltimore County and across counties 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 within each position's designated region; however, training and coverage shifts may require occasional work outside of the assigned area.

Main Purpose of Job

These positions selects and evaluates samples of poultry, as a resident grader and relief grader to certify compliance with established standards for grade, weight, labeling and buyer specifications. Accurate and impartial certification provides a standard description that promotes the uniform marketing of poultry and ensures buyer satisfaction.

POSITION DUTIES

• Select, evaluate and document results for samples of poultry accurately, efficiently and in accordance with established standards.
• Evaluate safety hazards, document findings and take appropriate action in accordance with established standards and procedures as applicable.
• Retain product or prohibit processing of USDA shielded product based on safety hazards, labeling and/or sampling results and maintain control of retained product.
• Review documents, regulations, procedure updates, memos, specifications, etc. from Maryland Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and other agencies, maintain files/handbooks, initiate action to implement as required.
• Complete and submit required documents (certificates, volume reports, time sheets, work assignment sheets, charge sheets, etc.) accurately and in accordance with established requirements.
• Effectively communicate with plant management, MDA supervisor and other MDA employees, industry personnel/management, wholesale, retail and food service management, federal supervisors, consumers, etc. concerning regulations, technical grading standards, procedures and non- compliances.
• Prompt and dependable coverage of assigned shifts and other duties as assigned in accordance with established procedures.
• Provide effective training and education concerning poultry standards & quality factors (in accordance with program goals and needs) to plant employees and other MDA employees to as requested by plant management, MDA supervisors or USDA supervisors in accordance with regulations, and to students and the general public at public fairs, seminars for industry, etc.
• Successfully completes available training to maintain professional standards in accordance with the training plan.
• Oversee and coordinate grading activities at poultry processing plants to ensure specification requirements are met.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience working in an industrial, manufacturing, or processing environment with exposure to raw food products, chemicals, temperature extremes, odors, heavy machinery, or slippery floors, or requirements to wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Experience in any phase of sampling, testing, marketing, grading, or inspecting agricultural products.
• Experience working on a farm or ranch, including internships and volunteer work.

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA licensing.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification will be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Employees in this classification must obtain the appropriate commodity grader license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, after a period of training, and within three months of appointment.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

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.

EEO STATEMENT

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.