Grain Sampler/Weigher

State of Washington Dept. of Agriculture; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

PPE provided

12 paid Holidays & Vacation

Job summary

Washington State Department of Agriculture is seeking a Grain Sampler/Weigher for the Commodity Inspection Division. The on-call, non-permanent role is based in Longview, WA, with responsibilities including sampling, weighing, and testing grains and commodities, and ensuring compliance with government contracts.

You will operate official scales, run laboratory tests (protein, mycotoxins) and perform stowage examinations while traveling to mills, yards, and container sites.

Qualifications

• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver's license to travel on agency business.
• Must be able to acquire a valid TWIC card.
• Must be able to pass background check for Customs and Border Protection.

Responsibilities

• Weigh, sample, and examine grain and agricultural commodities at mills, shipping points, grain elevators and other locations.
• Operate testing equipment in a laboratory.
• Record gross, tare and net weights and issue Domestic Official Weight Certificates.
• Drive agency vehicle to perform exams/inspections.
• Sample, check weigh, and check load shipping containers for compliance with government contracts.

Skills

Driver's license

TWIC

Background check

Regulatory knowledge

Tools

Grain scales

Laboratory testing equipment

Job description

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity

The Commodity Inspection Division provides unbiased third-party inspections for a wide variety of Washington State agricultural products and assists agricultural companies in the movement and exporting of their products. The division is made up of roughly 365 FTEs through four statewide programs: Fruit and Vegetable Inspection, Grain Inspection, Grain Warehouse Audit, and Seed Inspection and Certification.

The Grain Inspection Program provides sampling, weighing, quality testing, grade inspection, and phytosanitary services for grains and commodities to assist in the facilitation of grain movement. These services are available to the grain, commodity trade and other interested parties on request, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at all our inspection offices located in Seattle, Tacoma, Aberdeen, Longview, Kalama, Vancouver, Spokane, or Colfax.

This position reports directly to a Grain Inspection Supervisor. The incumbent in this position weighs and certifies grains and/or commodities; check ship holds, containers, and other conveyances for fitness to load grains and commodities; works in railroad yards, grain elevators and other hazardous areas to draw samples of grains and commodities by means of approved sampling devices. Performs mycotoxin testing and other analytical tests as required, including operating special grain inspection equipment to determine protein (NIRT) and other testing.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for two (2) on-call non-permanent Grain Sampler/Weigher positions within the Commodity Inspection Division. This position is located in Longview, Washington. They are represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Union.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: Range 36, Step A $19.12 - Step L $24.71 hourly.

What to Expect

Sample and weigh grain and other commodities using official scales provided by the applicants

• Weigh, sample, and examine grain and agricultural commodities at mills, shipping points, grain elevators and other locations.
• Operate testing equipment in a laboratory.
• Work with hopper, platform, dial, and electronic scale to determine weights and make necessary adjustments as needed; record gross and tare weights, compute net weights and issues Domestic Official Weight Certificates.
• Maintain record and documentation of scale conditions and all weighing activities.
• Obtain sample from railcars, trucks containers and other conveyances, moving streams of grain, and vessel holds using standardized sample collection equipment provided by employer.
• Work in railroad yard and other hazardous areas, opening and closing container doors, recording on sample ticket container condition, identification, seal numbers applied, and other required information.
• Sample, check weigh, and check load shipping containers for compliance with government contracts.
• Sample commodities and grains for inspection and phytosanitary certification, sample grass seed for phytosanitary certification, sample products and/or weighs commodities under directions issued by USDA agencies, such as the Agricultural Marketing Service or Farm Service Agency.
• Drive agency vehicle to perform exams/inspections.

Conduct protein and mycotoxin testing on grains and commodities

• Conduct protein and mycotoxin testing on grains and commodities.
• Operate specialized grain inspection equipment to determine protein, mycotoxins, falling numbers, dockage, moisture, test weight per bushel, or other mechanical determinations as required using specially approved testing equipment, computers, and procedures.

Perform Stowage examinations

• Perform stowage examinations on container, vessel, and other conveyance for fitness to load grains and commodities.
• Check ship hold, container and/or other conveyance to determine fitness for grain cargo and other commodities; issues ship sanitation certificates in compliance with state and federal regulations, performs observations of fumigation.
• Drive agency vehicle to perform exams/inspections.

Required

• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver's license to travel on agency business.
• Must be able to acquire a valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
• Must be able to pass background check for Customs and Border Protection to allow boarding of vessels prior to Customs and Border Protection personnel.

Preferred/Desired

• Experience interpreting and applying rules and regulations.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave, for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

WSDA uses a I-9 form (Download PDF reader) to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual’s ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at [e-mail].

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free [phone]. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.