Salary: $16.99 – $22.50 Hourly
Location: Multiple Locations Statewide, WA
Job Type: Seasonal
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Job Number: 2022-18057
Closing: Continuous
Description
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.
The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.
Please Note: This posting is being used to fill multiple positions in multiple locations with multiple shifts throughout Eastern and Central Washington.
The WSDA Seed Program provides accurate, timely and high-quality seed analysis and certification services while continually striving for improvements in methods and technologies to assure success for the program and its seed industry stakeholders. WSDA Seed Program is a unit within the Commodity Inspection Division that conducts pre-harvest seed field inspections and laboratory seed testing of agricultural, vegetable, native plants, rangeland grasses and flower seeds grown under the certification and phytosanitary programs. The program is responsible for seed certification, seed testing, phytosanitary visual seed inspection, seed inspection and official seed sampling as well as the program is the state seed regulatory agent. Additionally, the program monitors two seed quarantines to assist producers to replicate disease and pest free commodities.
Certified Seed Field Inspectors perform a wide scope of duties and responsibilities in the program as it relates to field inspection activities. These positions exercise independent judgement and decision-making in the coordination of daily assigned field inspection routes. The re-inspection and additional inspection interval is independently decided based upon crop maturity. They will report to the Supervisor on activities related to field certification and phytosanitary inspections for a wide variety of field crops to inspect and/or obtain field samples for laboratory analysis. Additionally, these positions assist program management with developing and implementing training plans for the various field activities and may include leading similar positions in field training.
Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for multiple seasonal full-time Agricultural Commodity Inspector 2 positions in the Commodity Inspection Division. This position may be located in Adams County, Benton County, Franklin County, Grant County, Kittitas County and Walla Walla County, Washington. This position is represented by Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).
The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $16.99 – $21.96 hourly.
In addition to the salary listed above, incumbents assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend. If a position is designated as requiring dual language skills, incumbents will also receive a 5% Dual Language Requirement Pay stipend.
Employee Benefits
- A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
- WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
- 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
- All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
Duties
Include but not limited to:
- Read, interpret, and follow inspection instructions and methodology outlined in policy, procedure, directives, notices, rules, and regulations relating to the position and industry.
- Provide accurate, timely and unbiased inspections for field certification and maintains accurate records and field notes.
- Work closely with other inspectors and program staff, Supervisor and the Seed Program Manager to deliver contracted inspections.
- Provide accurate, timely and unbiased inspections for field phytosanitary inspection.
- Inspect various seed crop fields for numerous diseases and/or pests infections that may be present.
- Identify crop and possible contaminations, crop disease presence according to federal phytosanitary certificates, and state phytosanitary certificates declaring presence or absence of disease and/or pests.
- Collect samples from the field location using proper protocol, sampling intensity and sanitary techniques.
- Assist with transporting the processed samples to local laboratory testing facilities.
- Ensure samples are kept at correct temperature, secure from cross contamination and that packaging is maintained for labeling and delivered timely from analysis.
Qualifications
Required:
- High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
- Valid State Drivers License.
Desired:
- One (1) year experience as an Agriculture Inspector 1, or One (1) year experience in an agriculture related field.
- Familiarity with seed crop diseases.
- The capacity to distinguish crop, possible contamination and/or pest presence according to state and federal Phytosanitary certificate standards.
- Two (2) year degree with a major study in agronomy or closely related field of study.
- A strong agronomic background including experience as a crop consultant interns or closely allied field.
How to apply
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. You must complete the application to it’s entirety to be considered for this position.
By submitting the application, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state’s on-line recruitment system.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency’s greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.
Contact Us
Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
The Washington State Department of Agriculture requires all employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Exemption may be granted for religious or medical purposes and should be requested a minimum of (7) seven days prior to the first day of employment. Accommodations will be subject to approval based on the essential functions required of the position.
Veteran’s Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran’s Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran’s Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.
Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.