AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR ADV

This is a field inspector position that will primarily cover central Maryland, and also includes some statewide duties.  The incumbent is provided a State vehicle, and will travel from home to the various assignments.

Independently conduct inspections of organic farms and processers statewide to verify compliance with the National Organic Program regulations; independently conduct USDA, Harmonized and MDA GAP audits of fruits and vegetable farms to verify compliance with food safety standards; provide outreach and inspection activities to inform produce growers of the Produce Safety Rule and promote compliance with the rule; independently conduct poultry processing inspections and review inspection results and labels to approve certification; provide relief coverage for resident shell egg plants statewide to select and evaluate samples of shell eggs to certify compliance with established standards; perform Country of Origin labeling reviews at retail locations to determine conpliance with accurate identification of the origin of agricultural commodities.

Conduct outreach to produce growers to inform of Produce Safety Rule requirements through on site visits, presentations at grower meetings and training sessions, and written materials.  Independently conduct routine and complex inspections of produce farms to verify compliance with the Produce Safety Rule.

Independently conduct routine and complex egg inspections and investigations at producer, wholesale, retail and food service locations by evaluating quality, labeling, invoice records, wholesomeness and sanitary conditions on site; reviewing egg inspection data and reports to determine registration status; and completing accurate reports of inspections and stop sale orders.

Independently conduct routine and complex inspections of organic producers and handlers records and facilities to verify the Organic System plan is in compliance with the National Organic program regulations requirements.

Select, evaluate and document results for samples of shell eggs, processing sanitation, safety hazards and retentions.

Independently conduct routine and complex reviews of labeling and invoicing of agricultural commodities at retail locations to determine compliance with Country of Origin Labeling requirements.

Independently conduct routine and complex poultry processing food safety inspections, review records and labels and make determinations to approve certification of compliance with standards.

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

Experience: Four years of experience in one of the following: production, processing, marketing, grading or inspection of agricultural products or chemicals; assisting veterinarians in the 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. At least two years of this experience must include work as a local, State or federal inspector.

Note:

1.  Education at an accredited college or university with courses in agriculture; animal, biological, environmental, food or physical sciences; chemistry; mathematics; engineering, or law enforcement may be substituted at a rate of fifteen credit hours for each year of the required experience for up to two years of experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a 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.

Strong preference will be given to applicants that possess the following.  Include clear and specific information on your application regarding the qualification(s).

College coursework in Animal/Poultry Science, Food Science, Microbiology, Chemistry, Plant Science, and/or Food Safety.

Two years experience conducting inspections of agricultural food products such as fruits, vegetables, poultry and eggs.

Two years experience conducting food safety/sanitation inspections of food processing/packing facilities.

This recruitment is limited to current State of Maryland employees only.

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.

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

The incumbent of this position will be required to obtain USDA licenses/FDA credentials within three months of hire date.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application (and on separate pages, if necessary) 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 employment (eligible) list for at least one year.

The incumbent in this position is a member of a covered bargaining unit and will be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application. Online applications are STRONGLY preferred, however paper applications will be accepted from candidates who may not have internet access.  All paper applications must be received by 4:30 PM on the closing date, no exceptions.  (Postmarks not accepted.)  Mailing address: 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 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 # 410-841-5846).  Mailing address: Maryland Department of Agriculture, Human Resource Office, Room 304, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD  21401.

For questions concerning this recruitment, please contact: Mary Darling at 410-841-5840 or mary.darling@maryland.gov

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country, and encourage them to apply.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay.