Hop Grader | Multiple Positions

State of Washington; Yakima (WA); On-site; USD 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible schedules

Teleworking

PPE provided

Holidays & vacation

Job summary

Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) in Yakima, WA, seeks Agricultural Inspector 1s to support the Plant Protection Division. Roles include hop grading and sample analysis, with overtime and up to seven days a week as needed. Starts at Range 36, Step A to L stepping equivalents on an hourly base.

Positions are full-time non-permanent within Plant Protection, with an emphasis on training, USDA compliance, and accurate timekeeping.

Qualifications

• Pass USDA Acts & Regulations plus grader exam.

Responsibilities

• Hop Grading - Compositing and dividing samples, sorting leaf and stem, seed grading per USDA GIPSA requirements.
• Complete required training, take USDA tests and follow state rules for timekeeping.
• Input precise hours worked into PISCES timekeeping system.
• Take the USDA Acts and Regulations Test or Technician test.

Skills

USDA Acts & Regulations

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.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1 000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Plant Protection Division supports the agriculture industry and protects the environment and consumers by protecting agriculture and the environment from insect, weed, and pathogen pests, supports the pollinator and soil health, and testing for proper weights and measures and pesticide use. Plant Protection is a division within the WSDA that works to ensure the state manages harmful pests which may threaten our environment or crops.

The Chemical and Hop Laboratory supports several agency programs by analyzing samples taken in investigations of alleged pesticide misuse and analyzing feed and fertilizer samples. Monitors for pesticide residues in food and dairy products. Carries out physical grading and chemical analysis of the hop crop to ensure orderly international and domestic marketing.

The 2026 Hop Season starts mid August and typically continues through the middle of October depending on crop.

Position and Salary Information

The Hop Grader supports the laboratory by grading samples of hops in accordance with state and federal rules and regulations.

These positions may be required to work up to seven (7) days a week, requiring the use of overtime.

WSDA is recruiting for twenty-seven (27) full-time non-permanent Agricultural Inspector 1 positions within the Plant Protection Division. These positions are located in Yakima, Washington. These positions are not represented by a 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

Some of the various responsibilities within this role include

Hop Grading - Compositing and dividing samples, sorting leaf and stem, seed grading per USDA GIPSA requirements

• Compositing - Requires standing, pushing samples out of cores, sorting through hops, cutting down to size, logging weights. Sort through buckets of material at table to remove waste material from sample.
• Dividing - Requires standing, holding buckets at chest level to sift material into divider.
• Splits samples for seed and leaf/stem processing: Seed area work involves a 120-degree oven - moving product into and out of oven, crushing product into powder and using hands to crush material/sift through screen. Leaf and stem shaker - sorting hops using a machine by stacked pans with product on each other sitting on a shaker (requires pressure to lock pans into each other) and manipulation of equipment. Sort samples for seeds, leaf and stem.

Complete required training, take required USDA tests, and follow state and agency rules for timekeeping

• Input precise hours worked into PISCES timekeeping system.
• Take the USDA Acts and Regulations Test or Technician test.

Who should apply?

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to pass USDA Acts & Regulations plus grader exam.

Preferred Qualifications:

• One (1) season of experience performing seed, leaf, stem grading of hops.
• USDA Technician Test
• Color-blind test

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;click herefor more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

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.

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.

Contact Us

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

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.