AGRI INSPECTOR I

Position Number: 22077888 

County: Washington 

Posting End Date: Open Until Filled 

Anticipated Starting Salary: $32,405

Egg & Poultry 

Hiring Authority

1 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, AR 72205

Phone: 501/823-1745

Email: [email protected]

As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.

Position Information

Class Code: X165C

Grade: GS04

FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary Range: $32,405.00 – $51,686.00

Summary

The Agriculture (Agri) Inspector I is responsible for surveying, monitoring, inspecting, investigating, collecting samples and other activities as described below for one or more of the divisions of the Arkansas Agriculture Department including the Livestock and Poultry Division, Plant Industries Division, and the Bureau of Standards. This position is governed by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, state and federal laws, and agency policy.

Functions

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Vaccinates cattle and identifies livestock at markets/farms to ensure disease prevention and compliance with regulations. Responds to animal health complaints and ensures compliance. Inspects commercial poultry hatcheries for compliance. Monitors animal exhibitions/activities for the purposes of disease detection. Responds to animal emergencies. Issues quarantines, permits and prepares and submits reports.

EGG AND POULTRY SECTION: Maintains the USDA Shell Egg and Poultry regulations and reviews contracts/specification requirements. Performs Acceptance Quality Level (AQL) examinations on products (poultry, egg & rabbit) and ensures that segregation meets USDA, State and Industry standards. Monitors temperature/relative humidity of coolers; establishes grading stations, performs and continually monitors pre-operational sanitation inspections of processors, and monitors and verifies the grading by industry graders. Enforces the provisions of the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act of 1969 and makes inspections where eggs are bought, sold, offered for sale, or processed.

Plant Industry Division: Issues certificates, quarantines, and permits. Trains, monitors, and supervises the work of other employees. Conducts inspections of dealer records, applicator records, application methods, application sites, regulated equipment, regulated structures, regulated entities, collects samples, and gathers evidence required to assimilate a case file. Performs other duties as assigned. 

BUREAU OF STANDARDS: Inspects and tests weighing and measuring devices used for commercial activity and removes out of compliance devices from service. Inspects packaged commodities to determine accuracy of weight or measurement standards and compliance with labeling requirements. Investigates consumer complaints, gathers evidence, prepares reports and case files. Determines price accuracy in retail establishments and ensures appropriate method of sale for all products. Confirms required information is provided to consumers through ticketing or receipts. Confirms Country of Origin labeling inspection on meats, seafood, nuts, and produce. Inspects records for compliance with applicable laws and ordinances. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

Frequent in-state travel, exposure to diseased livestock, manufacturing facilities/machinery, and/or occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals/substances/environments. Occasional to frequent lifting and carrying of heavy/bulky items.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION:

• Knowledge of safe working procedures with livestock and poultry.
• Ability to perform inspections/investigations, follow proper procedures, and issue quarantines on infected and exposed livestock and poultry.
• Ability to monitor the interstate and intrastate movement of livestock and poultry to ensure compliance with federal and state laws.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare activity and monitoring reports.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make decisions.

EGG AND POULTRY SECTION:

• Ability to interpret and follow state and federal laws and rules governing the egg and poultry industries and agency policies.
• Ability to perform inspections, follow proper procedures, and enforce provisions of state and federal laws and industry standards
• Ability to complete and submit required documents and reports in accordance with established procedures. 
• Ability to inspect facilities and equipment for cleanliness. 
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make decisions.

PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION:

• Knowledge of state and federal laws, rules, and regulations governing agency investigations.
• Ability to perform inspections/investigations and follow proper procedures.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to withstand hazardous environments.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make decisions.

BUREAU OF STANDARDS:

• Knowledge of state and federal laws and agency policies regarding measurement and weight standards.
• Knowledge of inspection and investigation techniques, evidence collection, applied/business mathematics, operation of test equipment and devices in the marketplace, record keeping and report writing.
• Ability to work independently, infrequently lift and carry up to 100 pounds, and frequently lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or bulky objects.
• Ability to climb stairs/ladders, bend/stoop, kneel, push/pull, stand/walk for prolonged time periods, and wear personal protective gear.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to interpret/apply/enforce all applicable standards.

Minimum Qualifications

LIVESTOCK & POULTRY DIVISION

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus one year of experience in the livestock industry, agriculture, or a related field.

PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus one year of experience in agriculture, pest control or a related field.

Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

• LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Must have or be able to complete Incident Command System (ICS) training 100, 200, 700, and 800 from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) or another certified trainer within six months of hire date. Must be able to obtain Certificate of Blood Testing of Laboratory Diagnostic Specimens for Disease Control within six months of hire date.
• PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION: Must have or be able to complete Incident Command System (ICS) training 100 and 200 from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) or another certified trainer within one year of hire date. Must be able to complete and receive Plant Industry Division Director’s final approval of training provided by relevant professional organizations within one year of hire date.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Agency Specific Information:

• Inspects shell hatcheries and processing plants to determine compliance with USDA standards, Egg Product Inspection Act Regulations, and state law by checking for proper sanitation, presence of disease, proper storage temperature, products purchased, disposition of products, and proper product labeling.
• Collects random samples of eggs for inspections and candling to ensure minimum standards are met.
• Inspects retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, distributors, and other egg product users by visiting establishments, selecting random samples of eggs for inspection and candling, verifying packer and distributor permit information, checking storage temperature, reviewing invoices for correct terminology, and checking cartons for code dates, and packer origin to ensure compliance with the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act.
• Acts as a temporary replacement grader at poultry processing plants by examining products from each processing line for compliance with regulations and contract specifications. Monitors plant and processing operations to ensure that facilities and equipment are sanitary and prepares a variety of reports and records related to plant operations and products.
• Acts as temporary replacement grader at shell egg processing plants by inspecting each shift for sanitation and checking and recording temperature and chlorine levels of egg wash. Records temperature and relative humidity of coolers and shipping area. Observes machinery for proper dating and labeling. Examines individual eggs for weight, grade, and quality. Notifies plant management of samples out of compliance.
• Trains company employees in proper egg and poultry grading and issues official certificates for various contracts.
• Reviews contract abstracts and specification requirements and determines that grade, size, and weight conform to specifications.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Frequent overnight travel is required. Exposure to chemicals, varying temperatures, noise, and unpleasant odors is required.

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