AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY GRADER I ((3) Full-Time Contractual Positions)

Introduction

\r\n\r\nThe Maryland Department of Agriculture is a department\r\nunder Maryland's Executive Branch. Formed in 1972 by the Maryland General\r\nAssembly to address the agriculture needs for the State of Maryland, the\r\nDepartment oversees and serves as a regulatory body for animal health, consumer\r\nservices to include marketing and lab services, plant and pest management and resource\r\nconservation. As the number one industry in Maryland, the diversity of\r\nagriculture programs in the State continue to expand and grow.\r\nThe Food Quality Assurance Program consists of four\r\nsections that conduct a variety of inspections, audits, registrations and\r\ncertifications of agricultural commodities and facilities to provide consumers\r\nwith safe, high quality agricultural food products while maintaining fair trade\r\npractices and enhancing product marketability for the agricultural industry.\r\nAll activities of this Program are funded through fees charged to producers,\r\nprocessors and wholesalers. This position is emergency essential, on a rotating\r\nshift and must have flexibility to work various day or night shifts.\r\nDay shift is typically 7:00 am-5:00 pm and Night Shift could\r\nbe from 4:30 pm-3:30am.\r\nU.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA\r\nlicensing.\r\n\r\n

GRADE

ASTD9\r\n

LOCATION OF POSITION

Positions are available in Baltimore County and across\r\ncounties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. This recruitment will fill three (3)\r\ntotal vacancies: two (2) positions based on the Eastern Shore and one (1)\r\nposition based in Baltimore County. Primary duties will be completed within\r\neach position's designated region; however, training and coverage shifts may\r\nrequire occasional work outside of the assigned area.\r\n

Main Purpose of Job

These positions 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.\r\n

POSITION DUTIES

Job Duties include but are not limited to the following:\r\nSelect, evaluate and document\r\nresults for samples of poultry accurately, efficiently and in accordance with\r\nestablished standards. Evaluate safety hazards, document findings and take\r\nappropriate action in accordance with established standards and procedures as applicable.\r\nRetain product or prohibit processing of USDA shielded product based on safety\r\nhazards, labeling and/or sampling results and maintain control of retained product.\r\nReview documents, regulations,\r\nprocedure updates, memos, specifications, etc. from Maryland Department of\r\nAgriculture, United States Department of Agriculture and other agencies,\r\nmaintain files/handbooks, initiate action to implement as required. Complete and\r\nsubmit required documents (certificates, volume reports, time sheets, work assignment\r\nsheets, charge sheets, etc.) accurately and in accordance with established requirements.\r\nEffectively communicate with plant\r\nmanagement, MDA supervisor and other MDA employees, industry\r\npersonnel/management, wholesale, retail and food service management, federal\r\nsupervisors, consumers, etc. concerning regulations, technical grading\r\nstandards, procedures and non- compliances. Prompt and dependable coverage of\r\nassigned shifts and other duties as assigned in accordance with established procedures.\r\nProvide effective training and\r\neducation concerning poultry standards & quality factors (in accordance\r\nwith program goals and needs) to plant employees and other MDA employees to as\r\nrequested by plant management, MDA supervisors or USDA supervisors in\r\naccordance with regulations, and to students and the general public at public\r\nfairs, seminars for industry, etc. Successfully completes available training to\r\nmaintain professional standards in accordance with the training plan. Oversee\r\nand coordinate grading activities at poultry processing plants to ensure\r\nspecification requirements are met.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate. \r\nExperience: One year of successful progressively responsible technical experience in a phase of sampling, testing, marketing, grading or inspecting agricultural products. \r\nNotes: \r\n1. Candidates may substitute additional experience on a year-for-year basis for up to four years of the required education. \r\n2. 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. \r\n

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.\r\n\r\nExperience working in an\r\nindustrial, manufacturing, or processing environment with exposure to raw food\r\nproducts, chemicals, temperature extremes, odors, heavy machinery, or slippery\r\nfloors, or requirements to wear personal protective �equipment (PPE).\r\nExperience in any phase of\r\nsampling, testing, marketing, grading, or inspecting agricultural products.\r\nExperience working on a farm or\r\nranch, including internships and volunteer work.\r\n\r\n

LIMITATIONS ON SELECTION

U.S. Citizenship is required to obtain required USDA\r\nlicensing.\r\n

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification will be assigned duties\r\nwhich require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties\r\nwill be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the\r\nState of Maryland. \r\n\r\n\r\nEmployees in this classification must obtain the appropriate\r\ncommodity grader license issued by the United States Department of Agriculture,\r\nafter a period of training, and within three months of appointment.\r\n

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.\r\n

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.\r\n

BENEFITS

\r\nContractual 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.\r\nLeave 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.\r\n\r\n

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.\r\n\r\n\r\n Faxed or e-mailed applications will not be accepted.�\r\n Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the application.�\r\n If you are submitting additional information, such as diplomas or transcripts, the preferred method is to upload them online with your application.�\r\n If you are unable to upload, email is the preferred method of delivery. You may also 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.)\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nIf 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 Kathleen Newhouse at kathleen.newhouse2@maryland.gov TTY Users: call via Maryland RelayCandidates with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.�\r\n\r\n\r\nWe 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.\r\n