State of Maryland

An Agricultural Commodity Grader Advanced is the advanced level of agricultural commodity grading work involving sampling, testing and grading activities for several different agricultural commodities. Employees in this classification serve as expert graders. Employees are assigned work of a wide variety, scope and complexity. Employees perform complex onsite tests and technical analyses. Employees are typically certified to perform grading services for at least three different commodities, or perform higher level duties in at least one of the following advanced areas of food quality assurance work: 1) Produce Safety Rule inspections, 2) Good Agricultural Practices Audits (MDA and/or USDA), and 3) Organic Certification. Employees in this classification may perform inspection services on one type of agricultural product. Employees in this class may train, assign, and review the work of lower-level Agricultural Commodity Graders.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from an Agricultural Commodity Grader Supervisor, an Agricultural Inspector Supervisor, an Administrator, or the Program Manager. Work performance is primarily evaluated on the basis of the accuracy and consistency of grading services performed and the ability to interpret and apply technical standards, procedures and regulations

Work involves uncomfortable or unpleasant surroundings, including deviations in temperature, odors, repetitive motions, and outdoor inspections on farms. Work involves exposure to hazardous conditions such as wet, slippery floors; and exposure to chemicals and heavy machinery. The work requires the use of protective equipment such as goggles, gloves, masks, hard hats and safety shoes. The work may involve lifting up to 65 - 100 lbs, and requires climbing ladders.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of the class specification.

The Agricultural Commodity Grader Advanced is differentiated from the Agricultural Commodity Grader III in that the Agricultural Commodity Grader Advanced serves as an expert grader for at least three different commodities or performs a higher level duty while the Agricultural Commodity Grader III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Performs grading activities of a wide variety, scope and complexity;

Resolves differences of opinion among lower-level Agricultural Commodity Graders to make final grade determination;

Interprets and applies the appropriate technical standards for particular commodities graded based on comparison of observed conditions and/or test results to established federal/state or company standards;

Performs complex grade determinations based on experience and subjective analysis as well as objective comparison to standards;

Selects and draws samples of commodities to be graded;

Performs visual grading and/or standard tests to determine specific characteristics of sampled commodities;

Compares observed characteristics and/or test results with established federal/State standards and/or company specifications;

Interprets technical standards, rules and regulations concerning grade determination, grading procedures and commodity characteristics;

Determines appropriate grade classification of commodities sampled;

Prepares grade certificates and reports of findings;

Explains grading techniques, standards and requirements to owners, shippers, buyers, sellers or other interested persons;

May perform egg inspections, grain inspections, or some other limited type of inspection;

May perform Produce Safety Rule inspections, Good Agricultural Practices audits (USDA and/or MDA), or organic certification.

May train and/or review the work of lower-level Agricultural Commodity Graders;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the expert grade standards, methods of distinction among grades and the methods, techniques and tests used in the grading process for agricultural commodities;

Ability to understand, interpret and explain technical standards, rules and regulations applicable to the grading of agricultural commodities;

Ability to express ideas clearly;

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others;

Ability to make effective recommendations consistent with program priorities.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Three years of progressively responsible technical experience in a phase of sampling, testing, grading, inspection or marketing of agricultural products. At least one year must have been as a licensed Agricultural Commodity Grader in a federal program.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience as outlined above 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 as a 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.

1. A valid Maryland Motor Vehicle operator’s license may be required before appointment to some positions in this class. Applicants must list the license number and date of issuance on the application.

2. Employees in this classification must obtain the appropriate commodity grader licenses issued by the United States Department of Agriculture within three months of appointment.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions. Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit C, Regulatory, Inspection and Licensure classes. As provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime, as provided by the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.