Salary: $53,100.00 – $71,520.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations – Western Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Department: Dept. of Agriculture
Job Number: 2023-04257
Closing: 4/11/2023 11:59 PM Pacific

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 Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Commodity inspection Division provides unbiased third-party inspections for a wide variety of Washington State agricultural products and assists agricultural companies in the movement and exporting of their products. The division is made up of roughly 365 FTEs through five statewide programs: Fruit and Vegetable inspection, Grain inspection, Grain Warehouse Audit, Hemp Program and Seed inspection and Certification.

The Grain Inspection Program provides sampling, weighing, quality testing, grade inspection, and phytosanitary services for grains and commodities to assist in the facilitation of grain movement. These services are available to the grain, commodity trade and other interested parties on request, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at all our inspection offices located in Seattle, Tacoma, Aberdeen, Longview, Kalama, Vancouver, Pasco, Spokane, or Colfax. 

The QA/QC Training Specialists maintain a pro-active quality assurance program and have region wide responsibility to include practical training and mentoring to the technical and inspection staff in the assigned region, as well as, direct supervision of in-training inspection staff. These positions will work closely to the Quality Assurance lead to ensure the inspections performed by new and current inspectors are in alignment with standards.

Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for two full-time permanent QA/QC Training Specialist positions within the Commodity Inspection Division. These positions are located in Kalama and Vancouver, Washington. These positions are 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: $ 53,100.00 – $ 69,756.00 annually. 

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.

Duties
Include, but not limited to:

• Supervises the training, quality assurance review, and in-training proficiency of new employees within the region. Works independently and in collaboration with the Regional Manager and Quality Assurance management staff.
• Develops broad-based and individualized training curriculum; coordinates and reviews the work of new inspection staff. 
• Administers informal testing of in-training candidates, and assesses and identifies the training needs of the in-training candidates in the region.
• Works in conjunction with the Inspection Supervisors to ensure staff participation in data and/or sample collection and sharing processes and plans initiated by the Quality Assurance staff.
• Shares information and guidance on changes that occur in the industry. Distributes evaluation samples as training assessment tools and follows up on the submission of samples for evaluation of inspection skills.
• Studies on analysis for mycotoxins, falling numbers, protein or other end-use or quality determinations, and provide testing and training on those subjects when needed.
• Weighs and/or samples, and examines grain and agricultural commodities at mills, shipping points, grain elevators and other locations, and operates testing equipment in laboratory.
• Acquires access and working knowledge of the FGIS Equipment Capability Testing
  (ECT) database.
• Responsible for testing all equipment used for grain and commodities inspection at all Washington State Grain and Bean Inspection locations. 
• Records all testing results into ECT database.
• Develops, implements, monitors, and analyzes program reporting systems in order to identify areas of risk for the program associated with lack of training, knowledge, change of grading standards etc.
• Performs as lead auditor for QMP internal audits. Uses internal audit findings to present performance measurements to Program Management on an annual basis. When necessary, makes recommendations regarding follow-up action and performance needs to address audit findings.

Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must have a Transportation Worker Identification Card (TWIC) and 21 specific licenses required by the US Grain Standards Act and USDA Agricultural Marketing Act.
• Eight (8) basic USDA Agricultural Marketing (AMS) commodity inspection licenses to include wheat, corn, soybeans and sorghum.
• Two (2) years’ experience in a state grain inspection office or in grain industry production, processing, marketing and testing.
• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver’s license to travel on agency business.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following desired knowledge, skills, and abilities will make your application more competitive:  

• Two (2) years’ experience as a lead or providing performance feedback to peers/in-training staff.

How to apply
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

· Current resume detailing experience and education

· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

· Three professional references 

By submitting these materials, 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. Applications with comments “see attachments” will be considered incomplete.

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.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3974619/qa-qc-training-specialist-multiple-positions

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.

For more information and to apply: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/3974619/qa-qc-training-specialist-multiple-positions