Grain Inspector #W0150

State Role Title: Agricultural Specialist IV

Hiring Range: $21.25 - $25.75 per hour

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: CHESAPEAKE GRAIN OFFICE

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

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Division of Commodity Services is pleased to offer several part-time Grain Inspector opportunities 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 position is based in Chesapeake, the 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 the successful candidates to learn & achieve the technical knowledge, skills, & abilities required for the position. Duties include sampling, weighing, performing stowage examinations and lab testing as needed to meet service demands.

Scheduling: Positions require that individuals 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. Employees must have the ability & flexibility to work varied hours & be able to adapt to changing work schedules with limited advanced notice. These positions are designated as essential to agency operations during emergencies and employees are required to work during official and authorized closings (i.e., snow/ice storms, etc.).

Physical Demands: Positions are physically demanding and require 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.

Conditions of Employment: Successful applicants will be required to maintain a valid driver’s license as well as a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for safety and must meet the required qualifications to fully acquire a USDA license for sampler, stowage examinations, weigher, and other licenses as needed to meet service demands. Final candidates must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

Positions are paid hourly; are limited to working 1500 hours per year; and do not include benefits.

Minimum Qualifications: Must be reliable, trainable, and have the demonstrated ability to communicate effectively (oral & written) with a diverse clientele and must also be able to work harmoniously with others, perform basic mathematical calculations and follow instructions. Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, apply and explain complex rules & regulations; work independently; and have strong analytical skills also needed. H.S. Diploma/GED required.

Additional Considerations: A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge or certification in agriculture, the grain industry, or in the grading of another commodity. Knowledge of agriculture, farming or related field is desirable but not required as training is provided.

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: 804-371-8066 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.