Feed & Seed Inspector - Northwest

State of Missouri; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

3 weeks paid vacation

13 paid holidays

Health, dental and vision insurance

Life insurance

Retirement match

Parental leave up to 6 weeks

Job summary

The State of Missouri is seeking a Feed and Seed Inspector to travel within the Northwest region and surrounding counties to verify compliance with Missouri’s Commercial Feed Law, Seed Law, USDA and FDA regulations. You will inspect facilities, collect samples, and issue corrective actions as needed.

Responsibilities include daily travel, reporting, and advising firms on regulatory labeling and product requirements, with opportunities for professional growth in a state government setting.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in agriculture or a closely related field or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) or more years of professional or technical experience in agriculture, animal science and nutrition, plant science, agronomy, or closely related field.
• Must possess a valid Missouri Driver’s license and be able to operate a vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Travel 75–80% within Missouri to inspect feed and seed establishments for compliance with state and federal laws.
• Plan weekly inspection activities and collect samples for laboratory analysis.
• Provide guidance to firms on state and federal labeling laws and regulations.
• Inspect products for proper labeling and compliance with licensing, registration, and other regulatory requirements.
• Issue withdrawals and stop-sale orders for non-compliant products and perform follow-up inspections.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Travel readiness

Vehicle operation

Communication skills

Computer literacy

Education

Bachelor's degree in agriculture or related field

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Why You’ll Love This Position

The Bureau of Feed and Seed provides consumer protection and ensures a fair/equitable marketplace through facility and product inspection, along with product sampling and analysis. Our program is looking for a Feed and Seed Inspector in the Northwest area of Missouri.

Job Location

Northwest, MO

Location

Northwest area of Missouri: Caldwell, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, Grundy, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Livingston, Pettis, Platte, Ray, and Saline counties. Applicant must reside in one of the counties listed or be willing to relocate.

The salary indicated represents the current regular pay rate for this position. If the individual selected is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., Years of Service), it will be added to total compensation on their paycheck. A pay differential does not raise base pay.

Responsibilities

• Daily travel (vehicle provided) in assigned region (14 counties) to inspect Missouri feed and seed establishments for compliance with Missouri’s Commercial Feed Law, Missouri’s Seed Law, USDA, and FDA federal statues governing product manufacture, labeling, and distribution. Expected travel time is 75% to 80%.
• Plan and perform weekly inspectional activities. Collects feed and seed samples in accordance with established protocols for laboratory analysis.
• Provide guidance to firms concerning state and federal laws and regulations for feed and seed products including labeling requirements.
• Inspect feed and seed products for proper labeling.
• Address non-compliance for licensing, tonnage, product registration, labeling, and product compliance utilizing enforcement strategies.
• Issue Withdrawal from Distribution and Stop Sale orders on products which are not in compliance with the state law and regulations; perform follow-up inspections concerning the issues to ensure timely compliance.
• Respond to and investigate complaints and write comprehensive reports.
• Utilize a computer to write inspection reports, Withdrawal from Distribution and Stop Sale orders, sample reports, and other reports as required.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Five (5) or more years of professional or technical experience in agriculture, animal science and nutrition, plant science, agronomy, or closely related field. Experience can come from a combination of work experience and/or completion of a bachelor’s degree program with an emphasis in one of the areas mentioned above.
• Must possess a valid Missouri Driver’s license.

Other Qualifications

• Ability to read, understand, and interpret the Missouri’s Commercial Feed Law, Missouri’s Seed Law, USDA, and FDA federal statutes governing product manufacture, labeling, and distribution.
• Ability to inspect manufacturing facilities utilizing federal animal food safety rules for preventive controls and current good manufacturing practices.
• Ability to collect feed and seed samples for laboratory analysis and adhere to manufacturing facilities safety requirements when conducting regulatory work.
• Ability to utilize computer and accessory software to write inspection reports, withdraw from distribution orders, sample reports, and other reports as required.
• Ability to demonstrate good verbal, writing, and time management skills.
• Must be able to safely operate a vehicle.
• Must be able to obtain FDA credentials upon employment.
• Must be able to lift at least 50 pounds.
• Daily travel within the state of Missouri as well as be able to travel and stay overnight up to a week at a time to conduct work and receive training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional or technical experience in the feed, seed or agriculture industry which affords a knowledge of the manufacture, sale and distribution of commercial feed and seed.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Intermediate knowledge of cell phones and computers.

Lack of post‑secondary education will not be used as the sole basis denying consideration to any applicant.

Benefits

• 3 weeks paid vacation AND 3 weeks paid sick leave
• 13 paid holidays per year
• Insurance: health (medical, dental, vision) and free life insurance
• Retirement: including an employer match on savings plan
• Up to 6 weeks paid parental leave for birth or adoption
• And several additional resources including the SELF program (formerly EAP), discount websites, and healthy living incentives!

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

[e-mail]

Notice to Applicants:

The Missouri Department Agriculture is unable to sponsor applicants in their application for work visas through INS. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.