Organic Program Inspector - $$2,855 - $3,726/mo

WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

ORGANIC PROGRAM INSPECTOR(Environmental Specialist 2)


Opens: May 1, 2009
Closes: May 22, 2009
Salary: $2,855.00 - $3,726.00 per month (range 43)
Location: Eastern Washington

Agency
The Department of Agriculture serves the people of Washington by supporting the agricultural community and promoting consumer and environmental protection. WSDA’s mission is to serve the people of Washington by supporting the agricultural community and promoting consumer and environmental protection.

WSDA’s Organic Food Program is seeking one (1) permanent full-time employee to inspect organic food producers, processors and handlers. The position will be designated as Environmental Specialist 2. Information regarding this position is as follows:

Location
There is one permanent full-time position in Spokane, Washington. Inspection territory includes: Stevens, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Whitman, Lincoln, Asotin, Garfield, Adams, Ferry, Benton, Franklin and Columbia counties. This position will operate from a home-based office anywhere between Tri-Cities and Spokane and will be dependant upon the applicants geographic location and qualifications.

Duties
Inspect organic food producers, processors and handlers for compliance with National Organic Standards. Inspections involve an examination and evaluation of soil management, crop rotation, seeds, pest management, and records. Inspectors evaluate Organic Crop, Livestock and Handling System Plans and write reports that describe compliance with organic standards. Violations of organic standards are documented through reports, samples, photos, and audits of records. Inspections of farmers markets and retail stores that sell organic food products are also conducted. Inspectors also collect samples of organic food products for analysis of possible contaminants. Inspectors evaluate materials and labels to determine compliance with organic standards, make field observations of soil and crop conditions, review organic system plans to ensure the integrity of organic food products, and conduct audits of production and sales records.

REQUIREMENTS

Desirable Qualifications -- Environmental Specialist 2
A Bachelor's degree involving major study in environmental, physical, or one of the natural sciences, environmental planning or other allied field and one year of professional level experience in environmental analysis or control, or environmental planning.
Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.

OR

One year of experience as an Environmental Specialist 1.

OR
A Master's degree in one of the above fields.

Applicant must possess a current Washington driver’s license.

Desirable Qualifications
A Bachelor's degree involving major study in agriculture or other closely allied field, and one or more years of professional-level experience in commercial food production and handling. (Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.)
Knowledge and experience conducting organic inspection or equivalent inspection work is desired.

Note
Resumes and/or applications will be scored using a rating guide, and the top 20 highest scores may be considered for an interview in front of a panel.

Who May Apply
This recruitment is open to anyone who meets the required qualifications, and has the same or similar qualifications as listed under the desirable qualifications.

How to Apply
Send a completed state application (www.dop.wa.gov/Pages/forms.aspx) and resume to:

Linda Pentt, HR Consultant
P.O. Box 42560
Olympia, WA 98504-2560 or e-mail hr@agr.wa.gov or fax to (360) 902-1821


The State of Washington actively supports diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who need assistance in the application process or who need this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-1979 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388