Grain Examiner

State of Ohio • Marion, OH

15h • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Plant Health is hiring 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 persons suspected of handling agricultural commodities to verify compliance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 926. It also performs examinations and inspections involving seed and feed businesses under Chapters 907 and 923, as well as inspections under applicable state or federal programs and contractual agreements.

The Grain Examiner uses grain auditing software, inspects records and physical commodities, and collects samples for analysis. The position conducts onsite FDA contract inspections, including BSE and medicated-feed facility inspections; issues violation notices or stop-sale orders when appropriate; and performs follow-up inspections. The examiner may attend hearings and court proceedings as an expert witness, administer grain grading tests for a certification program, and must obtain federal credentials appropriate to the assigned program area.

The role involves operating a state-owned vehicle and requires overnight travel. Working conditions include outdoor work in varying weather, exposure to pesticides, machinery, dirt, dust, insects, ticks and poison ivy, climbing heights up to 130 feet, working in crawl spaces, and possible interactions with hostile landowners. The position is permanent, full-time, and scheduled Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is subject to the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement, with ODA bargaining-unit members receiving selection rights before non-bargaining-unit applicants.

Requirements

• Complete undergraduate core coursework in an agricultural field such as agronomy, biology, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, or environmental science, and have one year of agricultural-field experience commensurate with the duties; or meet the stated equivalent minimum qualifications.
• Three months of experience operating a personal computer.
• Valid driver's license from the state of residence.
• Obtain federal credentials commensurate with the assigned program area, as required to remain in the classification.

Responsibilities

• Examine records and accounts of licensed commodity handlers and suspected agricultural commodity handlers to verify compliance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 926, including commodity tracking, recordkeeping, handling, and financial records.
• Complete and generate computerized grain examinations using grain auditing software.
• Examine commodity-handler records to verify proper quarterly assessments to the indemnity fund.
• Audit registered seed labelers’ sales records against semiannual volume sales reports and inspect seed labels for compliance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 907.
• Inspect feed labels and feed products for proper registration and compliance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 923.
• Examine feed manufacturers’ records, mixing processes, and cleanout procedures.
• Conduct onsite FDA contract inspections, including BSE and medicated-feed manufacturing facility inspections.
• Issue violation notices and/or stop-sale orders for violations of Ohio Revised Code Chapters 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, compute grain volume and inventory using bin charts and mathematical calculations, and determine grain type and condition.
• Inspect seed lots and collect random seed samples for analysis and comparison with label guarantees.
• Inspect feed manufacturers and feed distributors, and collect random samples of feed products for analysis and comparison with label guarantees.
• Attend hearings and court proceedings as an expert witness when needed to secure compliance.
• 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 based on contractual agreements.

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: Mid Level