Grain Examiner

State of Ohio • Upper Sandusky, OH

2d • $59,821 - $79,061 • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Health is seeking a Grain Examiner headquartered in Marion, Crawford, Hardin, Logan, Morrow, Seneca, or Wyandot County. The position examines records and accounts of licensed commodity handlers and other relevant businesses to verify compliance with Ohio law, including proper commodity tracking, record keeping, handling, and payment of required assessments. The examiner uses grain auditing software and may inspect seed labelers, feed manufacturers, and other businesses selling or distributing seed and feed products.

The role includes inspections and sampling at facilities, grain measurement and inventory calculations, examination of feed manufacturing processes, and onsite FDA contract inspections, including BSE and medicated-feed inspections. The examiner issues violation notices or stop-sale orders, conducts follow-up inspections, participates in hearings or court proceedings as an expert witness, and may perform other inspections under state or federal programs. The position requires operating a state-owned vehicle and transporting inspection equipment and samples. Required federal credentials commensurate with the assigned program area must be obtained after employment.

The position is permanent and full-time, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It involves outdoor work in varying weather, exposure to pesticides, machinery, dirt, dust, insects and potentially hostile landowners, climbing to heights of up to 130 feet, working in crawl spaces, and overnight travel. The position is governed by the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Requirements

• Complete undergraduate core coursework in an agricultural field, such as agronomy, biology, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, or environmental science, or meet the equivalent minimum class qualifications.
• At least 1 year of experience in an agricultural field commensurate with the duties to be performed, or meet the equivalent minimum class qualifications.
• At least 3 months of experience operating a personal computer.
• Valid driver's license from state of residence.
• Obtain federal credentials commensurate with the assigned program area after employment, such as USEPA, FIFRA, FDA, or USDA ACO credentials.

Responsibilities

• Examine records and accounts of licensed commodity handlers and suspected handlers to verify compliance with Ohio Revised Code 926, including commodity tracking, record keeping, and handling.
• Complete and generate computerized grain examinations using grain auditing software.
• Examine records to verify quarterly assessments to the indemnity fund are properly paid.
• Examine records and labels of registered seed labelers and other seed sellers for compliance with Ohio Revised Code 907; audit sales records against submitted volume sales reports and inspect seed labels and lots.
• Examine feed labels and records, mixing processes, and cleanout procedures of Ohio feed manufacturers and other feed sellers or distributors for compliance with Ohio Revised Code 923.
• Perform onsite FDA contract inspections, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and medicated-feed manufacturing facility inspections.
• Issue violation notices and/or stop-sale orders for violations of Ohio Revised Codes 907, 923, or 926, and conduct follow-up inspections and examinations.
• Operate a state-owned vehicle to transport inspection and sampling equipment to inspection sites and samples to an analytical laboratory.
• Measure and sample grain in physical storage, calculate grain volume and inventory using bin charts and mathematical calculations, and obtain samples to determine grain type and condition.
• Pull random seed and feed samples and forward them to the section office for analysis and comparison with label guarantees.
• Attend hearings and court proceedings as an expert witness when needed for compliance with Ohio Revised Codes 907, 923, or 926.
• Issue grain grading tests to personnel of licensed commodity handlers for the Commodity Tester Certification Program.
• Conduct inspections or examinations for other state- or federally regulated programs under contractual agreement with the Department of Agriculture.
• Obtain federal credentials commensurate with the assigned program area after employment.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS
• Optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level