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AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY GRADER I

Recruitment #26-003154-0001

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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.   

The 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. 

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

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

U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA licensing.


GRADE

ASTD9

LOCATION OF POSITION

Position can be based out of Anne Arundel County, Baltimore County or counties on the Eastern Shore. Duties will be completed mainly on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

Main Purpose of Job

This position selects and evaluates 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.

POSITION DUTIES

Job Duties include but are not limited to the following:
  • 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 product or prohibit processing of USDA shielded product 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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

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.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED 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.

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA licensing.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification will be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland. 2. 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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • 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. 
  • 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. 
  • 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 & Night Shift could be from 4:30 pm-3:30am

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.


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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