Title: Fruit & Vegetable Inspector #R1474

State Role Title: Agricultural Specialist IV

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

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

We are seeking a qualified, customer service-oriented team player who, under the direction of the Fruit and Vegetable Services Program Manager, is responsible for supporting domestic and exporting needs of Virginia agricultural products through official grading, inspection and certification of more than 150 types of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. The successful candidate will work to inspect, sample, and grade product requiring official UDSA certification to comply with Federal/State and private contract specifications. The successful candidate will perform lot sampling, condition of container inspections, check loading, case stamping, in-plant sampling and will conduct plant sanitation inspections. This position requires routine interaction with Virginia’s processed product industries, as well as with federal/state officials to communicate program services and regulatory requirements. The position will provide support to the officer-in-charge with routine administrative tasks. During peak harvest periods, this position will also perform contract and non-contract inspections of fresh apples and process apples and support seasonal work needs. This is a restricted position with funding availability for this position based on industry need.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of agricultural commodities or food science and technology, ideally in the fruit and vegetable industry. Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, apply, and explain rules and regulations and to collect and analyze data; to prepare reports; to organize, plan, and work with limited supervision; to work in a fast-paced environment; to resolve problems; and to provide exceptional customer service; and to work within a team environment. Effective oral and written communication skills are needed along with the ability to maintain professional working relationships with co-workers, management, and industry. Computer proficiency. H.S. Diploma/GED required.

Physical Demands/Conditions of Employment: Position requires significant travel, both day and overnight, with occasional short-term duty assignments. Position requires a flexible work schedule with irregular work hours during the week as well as on weekends and holidays. Selected individual must be able to meet the physical demands which include working in and around a noisy environment that includes dust and machinery and in extreme heat and/or cold. Position requires prolonged periods of driving, standing, walking, lifting 75 pounds or more, reaching, and bending/stooping. The selected person must also be able to distinguish colors and smells and must have (or be eligible to obtain) and maintain a valid driver’s license & a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. The selected individual must reside or be willing to relocate within a reasonable distance of the assigned territory. A state-owned vehicle will be provided for business use only; however, the state vehicle must remain parked within the territory even if the successful applicant resides outside of the assigned cities/counties. The home office must have reliable access to a network for mobile communications. A REAL ID is required to access federal facilities. Finally, the successful individual must be able to qualify for and maintain a USDA License of inspection and certification of processed products within one year of employment.

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge of agriculture, food science, chemistry, biology or related field; of USDA Commodity Standards; and/or experience relating to the grading/certification of processed food products or quality assurance programs.

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.