Agriculture Specialist 1-3

State of Louisiana•Statewide, LA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is located within the office of Animal Health & Food Safety, Meat & Poultry Inspection Division. District Parishes served include St. Landry, Avoyelles, Rapides, Vernon and Evangeline. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is looking for dedicated professionals to support Louisiana’s food safety and public health efforts by helping ensure that meat and poultry products are safe, properly processed, and accurately labeled for consumers. The program inspects animals harvested and processed for human consumption at Louisiana facilities, evaluates and approves regulated establishments for compliance with federal and state requirements, conducts laboratory analyses of meat and poultry products, and reviews product labels to ensure consumers receive accurate and reliable information.

Requirements

Three years of experience in one or a combination of the following: Administrative services, Inspecting or enforcing compliance with agricultural laws, rules, or regulations, Inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices OR a bachelor’s degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental, health, or physical science, or an information technology, mathematics, or business field.
Reaching above the shoulders
Walking and standing (8 hours)
Light to moderate lifting, 20 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 40 pounds
Occasional bending or kneeling
Occasional demands may be required for moderately strenuous activities in emergencies over long periods of time
Sit for a long period of time at a workstation or in a vehicle for travel
Drive a vehicle to perform duties
Assignment may require daily use of sharp instruments (e.g., knives)

Nice To Haves

Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies.
Learning Actively: The ability to pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance.
Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.
Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others.
Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions.

Responsibilities

Performs regulatory inspections of wholesale meat and poultry facilities to ensure official establishments are in compliance with Federal and State regulations.
Inspects meat and poultry food products produced by processing establishments and intended for human consumption.
Verifies product formulations for proper use of restricted ingredients.
Takes appropriate enforcement actions to ensure regulatory non-compliances are corrected.
Evaluates plant facilities and recommends options for changes and improvements.
Recommends changes in Program policies and procedures based on inspection findings.
May perform inspections under a federal/state cross-utilization agreement in USDA-regulated establishments staffed by State Program personnel.
Works with parish, state, and federal agencies during investigations, supporting the enforcement of meat and poultry regulations.