Grain Sampler/Weigher

State of Washington • Pierce County – Tacoma, WA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA), through its Commodity Inspection Division, is seeking to fill two part-time, non-permanent Grain Sampler/Weigher positions in Tacoma, Washington. This division is responsible for unbiased third-party inspections of various Washington agricultural products, including grains and commodities, to facilitate their movement and export. The Grain Inspection Program specifically offers services such as sampling, weighing, quality testing, grade inspection, and phytosanitary services. These positions report directly to a Grain Inspection Supervisor and involve weighing and certifying grains and commodities, inspecting conveyances for fitness, and drawing samples from various locations, including hazardous areas. The role also includes performing mycotoxin testing and other analytical tests using specialized equipment.

Requirements

• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver's license to travel on agency business.
• Must be able to acquire a valid Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC).
• Must be able to pass background check for Customs and Border Protection to allow boarding of vessels prior to Customs and Border Protection personnel.
• Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Experience interpreting and applying rules and regulations.

Responsibilities

• Weigh and certify grains and/or commodities.
• Check ship holds, containers, and other conveyances for fitness to load grains and commodities.
• Work in railroad yards, grain elevators and other hazardous areas to draw samples of grains and commodities by means of approved sampling devices.
• Perform mycotoxin testing and other analytical tests as required.
• Operate special grain inspection equipment to determine protein (NIRT) and other testing.
• Sample and weigh grain and other commodities using official scales provided by the applicants.
• Weigh, samples, and examine grain and agricultural commodities at mills, shipping points, grain elevators and other locations.
• Operate testing equipment in a laboratory.
• Work with hopper, platform, dial, and electronic scales to determine weights and make necessary adjustments as needed; record gross and tare weights, compute net weights and issues Domestic Official Weight Certificates.
• Maintain records and documentation of scale conditions and all weighing activities.
• Obtain samples from railcars, trucks containers and other conveyances, moving streams of grain, and vessel holds using standardized sample collection equipment provided by employer.
• Work in railroad yards and other hazardous areas, opening and closing container doors, recording on sample ticket container condition, identification, seal numbers applied, and other required information.
• Sample, check weighs, and check loads shipping containers for compliance with government contracts.
• Sample commodities and grains for inspection and phytosanitary certification, sample grass seed for phytosanitary certification, sample products and/or weighs commodities under directions issued by USDA agencies, such as the Agricultural Marketing Service or Farm Service Agency.
• Drive agency vehicle to perform exams/inspections.
• Conduct protein and mycotoxin testing on grains and commodities.
• Operate specialized grain inspection equipment to determine protein, mycotoxins, falling numbers, dockage, moisture, testweight per bushel, or other mechanical determinations as required using specially approved testing equipment, computers, and procedures.
• Perform stowage examinations on containers, vessels, and other conveyances for fitness to load grains and commodities.
• Check ship holds, containers and/or other conveyances to determine fitness for grain cargo and other commodities; issues ship sanitation certificates in compliance with state and federal regulations, performs observations of fumigation.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules
• Teleworking
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Recognition Leave
• 12 paid Holidays
• Vacation and Leave Accruals
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed