Title: Grain Inspector/Grader #01343

State Role Title: Agricultural Specialist IV

Hiring Range: $44,192 - $54,106

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: CHESAPEAKE GRAIN OFFICE

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Commodity Services, is pleased to offer a Grain Inspector/Grader Opportunity in the Grain Services Program. The Grain Services team works to inspect, grade, & officially certify domestic and export grain products in accordance with USDA Standards of Grain. While the Grain Inspector/Grader position is based in Chesapeake, successful candidates will travel regularly to grain facilities throughout Coastal Virginia – Hampton Roads, with occasional work assignments across the Commonwealth, including Richmond, Petersburg, & Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Teamwork based on-the-job training & self-directed learning will provide the foundation for successful candidates to learn & achieve the technical knowledge, skills, & abilities required to become licensed and certified. Successful candidates will sample, weigh and perform stowage examinations and conduct lab testing. Successful candidates will work toward earning corn and soybean grading licenses, and as they progress, future career growth opportunities, including advanced grading licensing may be introduced.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of agriculture or related field is desirable, however, if you have the ability & determination to be trained on federal/state regulations & are able to meet the conditions of employment as noted below then this knowledge is not specifically necessary as training will be provided. Other qualifications include excellent teamwork and customer services skills; demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse clientele and office supervisory personnel; read, interpret, apply, & explain complex rules & regulations; perform basic mathematical calculations and follow instructions; work independently with minimal supervision; be dependable and pay attention to details. H.S. Diploma/GED required.
Physical Demands: Position is physically demanding and requires long periods of standing, walking, climbing/descending of up to 50 feet, reaching, and frequent bending/stooping. Work involves visual & olfactory (sense of smell) analysis, therefore requires a verifiable ability to distinguish colors and odors. Grain dust may impact allergic conditions. Scheduling: Applicants must be dependable, able to report to work as assigned, and work a flexible shift schedule, including overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed. During peak workloads, the program operates 24/7. Successful candidate must have the ability & flexibility to work varied hours & be able to adapt to changing work schedules with limited advanced notice. The position is designated as essential to agency operations during emergencies & employees are required to work during authorized closings such as during inclement weather (i.e. snow & ice storms, etc.).
Conditions of Employment: Successful applicants will be required to maintain a valid driver's license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for safety. Final candidates must meet the required qualifications to fully acquire a USDA license for sampler, stowage examinations, weigher, protein & oil testing within approximately 45 days of hire; licensure qualifications to grade corn & soybeans, and perform mycotoxin testing within approximately 8 months of hire; licensure qualifications to grade wheat & mixed grains within approximately 24 months of hire; and other licenses as needed to meet service demands.

Additional Considerations

Training/coursework in agriculture or related field with knowledge or certification in the grain industry or in the grading of another commodity. An equivalent combination of training & experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.