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AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR II

Contractual Position

Recruitment #25-002889-0002

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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 continue to expand and grow
Food Quality Assurance Program consists of four sections that conduct a variety of inspections, audits, registrations and certifications of agricultural commodities and facilities to provide consumers with safe, high quality agricultural food products while maintaining fair trade practices and enhancing product marketability for the agricultural industry. All activities of this Program are funded through fees charged to producers, processors and wholesalers. 
Food Quality Assurance Program is seeking to fill four (4) contractual vacant positions under this recruitment.

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

Based in Annapolis HQ but extends to Statewide

This is a field position and employee will travel to worksites to/from home.  Mileage 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

Conduct Food Quality Assurance inspection and grading activities related to grain and to provide consumer/buyer assurance of compliance with standards/regulations, provide a level playing field for agricultural businesses and farms and assist with the marketing of agricultural commodities.

POSITION DUTIES

Job Duties include but are not limited to the following:
  • Samples and inspects grain containers for export by applying USDA Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) standards, evaluating container sanitation and grain condition, and completing required documentation and certificates.
  • Assists with grading operations, including reviewing intake paperwork for accuracy, updating booking logs, issuing certificates, and preparing and compositing grain samples for grading.
  • Performs relief grading at shell egg and poultry plants by evaluating product quality, applying USDA grading standards and buyer/export specifications, assessing sanitation and pest control, and documenting inspection findings.
  • Enforces compliance by retaining product or halting processing when inspection results indicate non-compliance or safety concerns.
  • Prepares and submits required reports and documentation accurately and on time, following program procedures and electronic submission requirements.
  • Communicates effectively with plant management, MDA supervisors, colleagues, federal officials, and industry personnel regarding inspection results, procedures, and regulatory compliance.
  • Completes all required training and mentoring inspections to obtain and maintain necessary licenses and professional competencies.
  • Provides reliable coverage for assigned shifts and duties in accordance with 24/7 operational requirements, including adherence to biosecurity protocols.
  • Identifies and addresses safety hazards, ensuring compliance with safety procedures and use of required personal protective equipment (PPE)

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

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

One year of experience in the following categories:
  • Working on a farm or ranch, including internships and volunteer work. 
  • Interpreting and applying State and/or Federal agricultural or food safety regulations, such as Shell Egg and Poultry standards, Grain regulations, National Organic Program regulations, Produce Safety Rule, and Good Agricultural Practices regulations. 
  • Conducting audits, reviews, or inspections for compliance with State and/or Federal agricultural or food safety regulations. 
  • Other agricultural related 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. 
  • This position requires work that may involve exposure to temperature extremes, odors, and repetitive motion, including outdoor inspections conducted in all types of weather conditions. 
  • Work may be performed in potentially hazardous environments, including areas with chemicals, heavy machinery, and slippery floors. 
  • The position involves physical demands such as lifting cases of eggs and poultry, extensive walking through agricultural fields, and climbing ladders to obtain grain samples. 
  • Employees are required to use personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, goggles, hard hat, safety shoes, rubber gloves, biosecurity protective gear, and a hairnet.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure 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 may be placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.

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 at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application is strongly preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to: Maryland Department of Agriculture  Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway,  Annapolis, MD  21401. The Human Resources unit is not responsible for applications sent to any other address. Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the 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-deliver or fax (HR Fax # 443-602-9831). All paper applications must be received by the closing date, no exceptions. (Postmarks not accepted.)

If you are having difficulty with your user account, need to make adjustments to a submitted application or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management at Application.Help@maryland.gov ; ATTN: Recruitment and Examination Division 

Inquiries regarding this recruitment can be directed to MDA Human Resources at mda.humanresources@maryland.gov. 

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay 

Candidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. 

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



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