Agricultural Commodity Inspector I

AGR/Agriculture•Sussex, DE

2d•Onsite

About The Position

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented individual to serve as an Agricultural Commodity Inspector. Work locations will be in poultry plants throughout Kent and Sussex Counties and will include day and night shifts. This position is responsible for independently conducting inspections of agricultural commodities, specifically in the poultry industry, in accordance with federal and state standards. Duties include preparing detailed inspection reports, maintaining and issuing certificates and forms, and making final determinations on inspection outcomes. The role requires successful completion of 160 hours of training to obtain a poultry grading license.

Requirements

Coursework, training, and/or work experience in agricultural commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, or decimals.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in record keeping.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

Responsibilities

Conducts inspection of commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables to determine compliance with a variety of contractor or USDA standards such as grade, weight, quantity and packaging, and makes final grade determination.
Inspects, samples, tests, and grades commodities using standard inspection techniques; grades poultry including whole birds, drum, legs, wings, breast, and boneless skinless products to include marinated products, antibiotic free claims, and organic claims; considering factors such as fleshing, finish, freedom from defects, age, weight and other conditions.
Examines eggs for weight, color, soundness, texture of shell, absence of defects, clarity of yolk outline and clarity and firmness of albumen.
Prepares and issues certification of products for both international and national distribution.
Monitors food safety controls such as sanitation, processing and storage conditions; communicates issues immediately to supervisor and/or management.
Verifies store specifications on labeling which includes expiration dates, product codes, dates for compliance, and ensures appropriate labels are applied.
Enforces federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and resolves issues within the range of normal plant activities involving grading/inspection determinations and operating problems.
Interprets and applies technical standards, rules, and regulations; explains and defends all grade and inspection determinations and coordinates grading services with plant production activities.
Cooperates with federal agencies, official state organizations and agencies, and other State representatives on matters related to agricultural inspection and grading.
Develops and maintains effective working relationships with plant personnel, retailers, farmers, and facility management.
Utilizes computers to enter information and prepare a variety of reports and records such as plant production data, grading results, certificates issued and other administrative records.
Provides technical information and assistance to representatives of the Attorney General's Office as well as the Inspector General's Office in preparing court cases and testifying.