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AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR II (Contractual)

Food Quality Assurance - Eastern Shore

Recruitment #24-002889-0005

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Introduction


The Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department under Maryland's Executive Branch.  Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General Assembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the Department oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer services to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource conservation.  As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of agriculture programs in the State continues to expand and grow.


*** IMMEDIATE OPENINGS *** 

2 CONTRACTUAL POSITIONS

This is contractual work, and employee is paid for actual hours worked only, including overtime if applicable.  The work week is anticipated to be approximately 40 hours per week, and may be more during peak periods.  Benefits include health insurance, limited paid leave, and travel reimbursement.  Must be able to work flexible work schedules, including night shift.

Note - This is an Emergency Essential position, and work may involve the following conditions:  exposure to deviations of temperature, odors, outdoor inspections in all types of weather, chemicals; working around heavy machinery and slippery floors; physical demands such as lifting 50+ pounds, repetitive motion, climbing ladders; use of protective equipment such as gloves, goggles, hard hat, safety shoes rubber gloves, biosecurity PPE and hairnet.

GRADE

ASTD12

LOCATION OF POSITION

Work will be performed throughout the Eastern Shore. 

This is a field position and employee will travel to worksites to/from home.  Mileage (current rate $ .67/mile) and travel time will be reimbursed or a State vehicle assigned within a specific area. In addition to conducting inspections in the assigned region, will occasionally make routine trips to headquarters in Annapolis for training, meetings and other purposes determined by the program.

Main Purpose of Job

To protect and inform Maryland consumers and provide a level playing field for industry by conducting a broad range of Food Quality Assurance Program inspections and audits to determine compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and standards. This includes, conducting enforcement actions and educational activities related to shell eggs to promote compliance with Maryland's requirements for quality, wholesomeness, weight, labeling, handling and invoicing in Central Maryland and conduct enforcement actions related to Country of Origin Labeling inspections at retail locations to ensure that covered produce, seafood and meat are labeled according to USDA requirements statewide. 

Conduct inspections of poultry and rabbit processing/slaughter facilities to ensure compliance with food safety requirements, organic operations to ensure compliance with the National Organic Program, and providing relief coverage for resident shell egg plants and poultry plants to select and evaluate samples of shell eggs to certify compliance with established standards for grade, size, labeling, sanitation and buyer specifications statewide. Conduct sampling, grading, and certifying grain for export statewide and provide meat grading certification statewide. Accurate certification and inspection provides a standard description that promotes the uniform marketing of shell eggs, meat, grain and ensures these products meet buyer specifications and provide consumer protection.

POSITION DUTIES

Note:  US Citizenship is required to obtain a USDA grading license. 

Conduct relief grading at shell egg and poultry plants by evaluating shell egg and poultry quality. Interpret and apply technical grading standards, regulations, and grading procedures for buyer specification and export requirements. 

Evaluate pest control, sanitation of the processing plant, food contact equipment and safety hazards. Document findings by retaining product or prohibiting processing based on inspection results.

Inspects containers of grain for export by interpreting and applying technical standards, follows USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service requirements for sampling and weighing. Evaluates the sanitation of containers, and observes grain condition (odor, foreign matter and quality).

Prepares grain samples, and tests for moisture, weight, and mycotoxins. Inspects grain service points and equipment to ensure they meet federal standards. Prepares routine reports on grain inspection operations. Performs routine maintenance and performance test of grain inspection field and laboratory equipment.

Assists higher-level inspectors in conducting comprehensive and complex egg inspections and investigations. Ensures compliance with the Federal Egg Products Inspection Act regulations which prohibit the sale of restricted and inedible eggs to consumers by reviewing records, labeling, holding temperatures and egg quality.

Evaluates invoices, labeling, handling conditions and registration documentation for compliance with the Maryland Egg Law and takes appropriate action at wholesale, retail, and food service locations.

Communicates effectively with plant management, MDA supervisors and other MDA employees, industry (meat, grain, egg) personnel and management, wholesale, retail and food service management, federal supervisors, consumers, etc. concerning regulations procedures, non-compliance, and complaints.

Successfully completes required training, evaluations, and correlations to maintain USDA licenses and professional standards in accordance with training plan.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications. 

Experience working on a farm or ranch, including internships and volunteer work.

Experience interpreting and applying State and/or Federal agricultural or food safety regulations, such as National Organic Program regulations, Produce Safety Rule, and Good Agricultural Practices regulations.

Experience reviewing system plans for compliance with agricultural regulations, i.e., organic system plans in compliance with the National Organic Program regulations, Food Safety Plan in compliance with Produce Safety and Good Agricultural Practices requirements.

Experience conducting audits, reviews, or inspections for compliance with State and/or Federal agricultural or food safety regulations. 

Experience in agricultural related to inspections, commodity grading, food safety, resource conservation, or consulting.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator license’s valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Employees in this classification may be assigned to any county or region of the State and may be required to establish residence within their assigned geographic area.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

Contractual employees who work for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits 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.

Leave may be granted to a contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Online applications are STRONGLY preferred.  If you unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to: Maryland Department of Agriculture Human Resource Office, Room 304 50 Harry S Truman Parkway Annapolis, MD 21401.  If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas and 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).  All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.)   Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application. 

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.  TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Kathleen Newhouse at 410-841-5837 or kathleen.newhouse2@maryland.gov.



Click on a link below to apply for this position:

Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. Apply Online
View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here.
Apply via Paper Application. You may also download and complete the Paper Application here.

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