AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR II (CONTRACTUAL)

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This is a field position working various locations for the Central Maryland Region.

Baltimore City, Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County.

This position is to protect and inform Maryland consumers and provide a level playing field for industry by conducting routine inspections, enforcement actions and educational activities related to shell eggs that effectively promote compliance with the Maryland Egg Law's requirements for quality, wholesomeness, weight, labeling, handling and invoicing in Central Maryland. Conduct Country of Origin Labeling reviews at retail locations to verify compliance. Conduct sampling and weighing activities to certify grain for export. Provide relief coverage for resident shell egg plants to select and evaluate samples of shell eggs to certify compliance with established standards for grade, size, labeling, sanitation and buyer specifications.

Conduct relief grading at shell egg plants by evaluating shell egg quality; interpreting technical grading standards, regulations, and grading procedures; evaluating sanitation in the plant; evaluating safety hazards; documenting findings; retaining product or prohibiting processing based on inspection results; and maintaining control of retained product.

Conduct routine egg inspections and investigations and assist higher level inspectors in conducting comprehensive and complex egg inspections and investigations by evaluating invoices, labeling, handling conditions and registration documentation.

Officially sample and inspect containers of grain for export and complete required documentation.

Complete and submit required reports and documents in accordance with established requirements.

Independently conduct routine inspections of labeling and invoicing of agricultural commodities and retail locations to determine compliance with USDA Country of Origin Labeling requirements.

Communicate with plant management, MDA supervisor and other MDA employees, industry personnel/management, wholesale, retail and food service management, federal supervisors, consumers, etc. concerning regulations, procedures and non-compliance.

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

Experience: Two years of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in care and management of animals; animal disease control; care or management of livestock or inspecting veterinary hospitals, riding stables or livestock dealers; installation, inspection, repair, or testing of weighting, volumetric measuring or counting devices; inspecting labeling and packaging; pesticide sales, use, regulation, or application; production, maintenance or inspection of a tree plantation or nursery stock; pest or weed control; wildlife population censuring; or the production, sales, inspection or testing of seed or turf products.

Notes:

1.  Applicants may substitute fifteen credit hours in agriculture; animal, biological, environmental, food or physical sciences; chemistry; mathematics; engineering, or law enforcement at an accredited college or university for each year of experience for up to two years of experience. 

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience 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.  

Contractual employees shall be eligible to accrue Paid Leave in accordance with the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act (Title 3, Subtitle 13 of the Labor and Employment Article). The employee shall be eligible to use accrued Paid Leave after the first 106 calendar days the employee has work for the Maryland Department of Agriculture. The employee must maintain a schedule of at least 24 hours in a 2-week pay period in order to accrue Paid Leave. If the employee works sufficient hours to accrue Paid Leave, the employee shall accrue Paid Leave at the rate of 1 hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours in a calendar year.

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.  As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred, however paper applications will be accepted from candidates who may not have internet access.  All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.)  

If you are submitting additional information, such as transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.  If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).  Mailing Address: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD  21401.

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Hazel Day at 410-841-5840 or hazel.day@maryland.gov

 TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.