Agricultural Commodity Inspector I-II

State of Delaware; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an Agricultural Commodity Inspector to ensure compliance with quality standards in poultry and other agricultural products. This role involves conducting inspections, grading commodities, and preparing certifications for distribution. The ideal candidate will possess strong knowledge of agricultural inspection processes, relevant laws, and record-keeping practices. Join a dedicated team focused on maintaining high standards in food safety and quality, while enjoying the opportunity for career advancement within the organization. If you are passionate about agriculture and quality assurance, this position is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of inspecting agricultural commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables.
• Experience in using automated information systems for data management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct inspections of poultry and other commodities for compliance with standards.
• Prepare and issue certifications for products for distribution.

Skills

Inspection of agricultural commodities

Mathematical skills

Record keeping

Knowledge of laws and regulations

Automated information systems

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

USDA Grading License

Tools

Automated information system

Job description

Summary Statement

This position performs commodity inspection work. The agricultural areas of focus are poultry grading and compliance work. The work location is Mountaire Farms in Selbyville.

Essential Functions

1. Conducts inspection of commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables to determine compliance with a variety of contractor or USDA standards such as grade, weight, quantity and packaging, and makes final grade determination.
2. Inspects, samples, tests, and grades commodities using standard inspection techniques; grades poultry including whole birds, drum, legs, wings, breast, and boneless skinless products to include marinated products, antibiotic free claims, and organic claims; considering factors such as fleshing, finish, freedom from defects, age, weight and other conditions.
3. Examines eggs for weight, color, soundness, texture of shell, absence of defects, clarity of yolk outline and clarity and firmness of albumen.
4. Prepares and issues certification of products for both international and national distribution.
5. Monitors food safety controls such as sanitation, processing and storage conditions; communicates issues immediately to supervisor and/or management.
6. Verifies store specifications on labeling which includes expiration dates, product codes, dates for compliance, and ensures appropriate labels are applied.
7. Enforces federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and resolves issues within the range of normal plant activities involving grading/inspection determinations and operating problems.
8. Interprets and applies technical standards, rules, and regulations; explains and defends all grade and inspection determinations and coordinates grading services with plant production activities.
9. Cooperates with federal agencies, official state organizations and agencies, and other State representatives on matters related to agricultural inspection and grading.
10. Develops and maintains effective working relationships with plant personnel, retailers, farmers, and facility management.
11. Utilizes computers to enter information and prepare a variety of reports and records such as plant production data, grading results, certificates issued and other administrative records.
12. Provides technical information and assistance to representatives of the Attorney General's Office as well as the Inspector General's Office in preparing court cases and testifying.

Job Requirement Series

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Agricultural Commodity Inspector I

• Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
• Knowledge of inspecting agricultural commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables.
• Knowledge of math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, or decimals.
• Knowledge of record keeping.
• Knowledge of applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Agricultural Commodity Inspector II

• Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
• Possession of a USDA Egg Grading License OR Possession of a USDA Fruits and Vegetables License OR Possession of a USDA Poultry Grading License.
• Six months' experience in inspecting agricultural commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables.
• Six months' experience in math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, or decimals.
• Six months’ experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
• Six months’ experience in record keeping.
• Six months’ experience in determining compliance with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

Additional Posting Information

The work location is Mountaire Farms in Selbyville. Upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements, employees may be eligible to be promoted to the next level.

Conditions of Hire

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hire's Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. Upon a conditional offer, you must pass a color vision test to meet the requirements of the position. As a condition of hire, applicants must successfully complete all required training to obtain a USDA license and certification by the end of the probationary period.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements. Once you have submitted your application online, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an auxiliary aid or service please call [phone]. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance. The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.