AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY GRADER I

ASTD 9

The employees will travel from their home to various sites on Maryland's Eastern Shore, primarily Dorchester and Wicomico counties.  

This position is emergency essential, on a rotating shift and must have flexibility to work various day or night shifts at either location.

Day shift is typically 7:00 am-5:00 pm and Night Shift could be from 4:30 pm-3:30am.

This position selects and evaluate samples of poultry, as a resident grader and relief grader to certify compliance with established standards for grade, weight, labeling and buyer specifications. Accurate and impartial certification provides a standard description that promotes the uniform marketing of poultry and ensures buyer satisfaction.

U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA licensing.  Employees will be expected to complete all required training to maintain license and professional standards. 

Select, evaluate and document results for samples of poultry accurately, efficiently and in accordance with established standards. Evaluate safety hazards, document findings and take appropriate action in accordance with established standards and procedures as applicable. Retain products or prohibit processing of USDA shielded products based on safety hazards, labeling and/or sampling results and maintain control of retained product.

Review documents, regulations, procedure updates, memos, specifications, etc. from Maryland Department of Agriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and other agencies, maintain files/handbooks, initiate action to implement as required. Complete and submit required documents (certificates, volume reports, time sheets, work assignment sheets, charge sheets, etc.) accurately and in accordance with established requirements.

Effectively 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, technical grading standards, procedures and non-compliances. Prompt and dependable coverage of assigned shifts and other duties as assigned in accordance with established procedures

Provide effective training and education concerning poultry standards & quality factors (in accordance with program goals and needs) to plant employees and other MDA employees to as requested by plant management, MDA supervisors or USDA supervisors in accordance with regulations, and to students and the general public at public fairs, seminars for industry, etc. Successfully completes available training to maintain professional standards in accordance with training plan. Oversee and coordinate grading activities at poultry processing plants to ensure specification requirements are met.

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

Experience: One year of successful progressively responsible technical experience in a phase of sampling, testing, marketing, grading or inspecting agricultural products.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience 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 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.

**For education obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the United States, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from one of the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at http://www.naces.org/members.html.  Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). **

U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA licensing.  Employees will be expected to complete all required training to maintain license and professional standards.

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

Employees in this classification must obtain the appropriate commodity grader license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture, after a period of training, and within three months of appointment.

Applicants who meet the minimum (and selective) qualifications will be included in further evaluation. The evaluation may be a rating of your application based on your education, training, and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.  The resulting certified eligible list for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

Please report on all related education, experience, dates, and hours of work. Clearly indicate your college degree and major on your application, if applicable.  

For education obtained outside of the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service. If you possess a degree obtained outside of the United States, please submit a detailed, course-by-course evaluation report from one of the U.S. equivalences evaluating members identified at http://www.naces.org/members.html.  Any job offer will be contingent on the candidate providing an official evaluation for equivalency by a foreign credential evaluation service prior to starting employment (and may be requested prior to interview). 

Complete applications must be submitted by the closing date. Information submitted after this date will not be added.  Incorrect application forms will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.  

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 on all experience and education that is related to this position.

C

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are 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. All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exception.  (Postmarks not accepted.) Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application.

If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.  If you are unable to upload, you may mail, hand-delivery or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831).

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Human Resources 410-841-5840

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.