Certification Specialist - Livestock Lead

Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association•Unity, ME

2d•$50,000 - $55,000•Remote

About The Position

MOFGA Certification Services, LLC (MCS), a USDA-accredited organic certifier, is hiring a full-time Certification Specialist focused on livestock and dairy. MCS certifies more than 500 crop, livestock, and handling operations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. The specialist provides customer service, technical review, and auditing verification to support organic producers and uphold USDA National Organic Program regulations. The role primarily assesses compliance with organic system plans and reviews inspection reports within the livestock and dairy scopes. It involves collaboration with certification staff, inspectors, and other colleagues, and may include conducting inspections and pesticide residue sampling as time allows. The specialist also supports MCS’s quality management system, may represent MCS at conferences and MOFGA events, contributes to policy development, and writes for MCS’s newsletter, The Organic Sprout. The position is salaried and FLSA-exempt, with a 40-hour Monday-through-Friday work week; additional evening and weekend hours may be required. The role is remote within MCS’s service territory, with travel to client farms and production facilities, occasional meetings in Unity, Maine, and required participation in the Common Ground Country Fair. The employee must be based within the service territory. The starting salary range is $50,000–$55,000 annually, depending on experience.

Requirements

Education or experience in organic certification or regulatory compliance, including inspections and auditing.
Knowledge of USDA National Organic Program standards, especially as they apply to crop, livestock/dairy, and processing scopes.
Working knowledge of organic or sustainable crop and livestock farms, dairies, and food processing.
Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, especially in writing.
Excellent organizational skills.
Proficiency with computer software, including databases and collaborative platforms.
Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to collaborate and receive constructive feedback.
Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle.
Commitment to MOFGA’s mission and values.
Ability to travel to meetings, training workshops, and conferences.
Ability to participate in the Common Ground Country Fair as needed.
Must be based within MCS’s service territory: Maine, New Hampshire, or northeastern Massachusetts.

Nice To Haves

IOIA training and prior organic inspection experience.
College degree in agriculture or a related field.
Experience in food processing.

Responsibilities

Perform technical reviews of organic system plans, primarily within the livestock and dairy scope, and communicate review results to producers according to policy.
Review inspection reports for livestock and dairy clients and communicate results to producers according to policy.
Explain organic standards and the certification process to applicants, and encourage use of MOFGA’s technical services.
Pursue adverse actions with clients in accordance with MCS policy and in coordination with colleagues and supervisors.
Track clients and maintain orderly, auditable files.
Conduct annual, investigative, or unannounced inspections and residue sampling as time allows.
Perform material reviews of products as needed, in conjunction with MCS staff and agency affiliates.
Investigate complaints to protect the integrity of the organic label and pursue adverse actions as necessary.
Participate in MCS internal audits and USDA National Organic Program accreditation audits.
Support MCS’s quality management system.
Represent MCS at conferences or other MOFGA events as needed.
Contribute to MCS policy development and write pieces for The Organic Sprout.
Travel to meetings, training workshops, conferences, client sites, and the Common Ground Country Fair as required.
Perform other duties necessary to carry out MOFGA’s certification program and maintain USDA accreditation.