AGRI INSPECTOR III

Position Number: 22094724 

County: Washington 

Posting End Date: August 22, 2024 

Anticipated Starting Salary: $36,155

Egg & Poultry 

Hiring Authority

1 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, AR 72205

Phone: 501/823-1745

Email: cheri.ellis@agriculture.arkansas.gov

As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.

Position Information

Class Code: X146C

Grade: GS06

FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary Range: $36,155.00 – $57,668.00

Summary

The Agriculture (Agri) Inspector III is responsible for surveying, monitoring, inspecting, investigating, collecting samples and other activities as described below for one or more of the divisions of the Arkansas Agriculture Department including the Livestock and Poultry Division, Egg & Poultry Section, Plant Industry Division, and the Bureau of Standards. This position may supervise other Inspectors. This position is governed by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, state and federal laws, and agency policy.

Functions

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Vaccinates cattle and identifies livestock at markets/farms to ensure disease prevention and compliance with regulations. Responds to animal health complaints and ensures compliance. Inspects commercial poultry hatcheries for compliance. Monitors animal exhibitions/activities for the purposes of disease detection. Responds to animal emergencies. Issues quarantines, permits and prepares and submits reports. May supervise and/or train new employees.

EGG AND POULTRY SECTION: Maintains the USDA Shell Egg and Poultry regulations and reviews contracts/specification requirements. Performs Acceptance Quality Level (AQL) examinations on products (poultry, egg & rabbit) and ensures that segregation meets USDA, State and Industry standards. Monitors temperature/relative humidity of coolers; establishes grading stations, performs and continually monitors pre-operational sanitation inspections of processors, and monitors and verifies the grading by industry graders. Enforces the provisions of the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act of 1969 and makes inspections where eggs are bought, sold, offered for sale, or processed.

PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION: Issues certificates, quarantines, and permits. May train and/or supervise the work of other employees. Conducts inspections of: dealer/applicator records, application methods/sites, regulated equipment/structures/entities, collects samples, and gathers evidence required to assimilate a case file.

BUREAU OF STANDARDS: Inspects/tests weighing and measuring devices used for commercial activity and removes out-of-compliance devices from service. Inspects packaged commodities to determine accuracy of weight/measurement standards and labeling requirements. Investigates consumer complaints and prepares case files. Determines price accuracy in retail establishments and ensures method of sale for products. Confirms required information is provided to consumers through ticketing/receipts. Confirms Country of Origin labeling inspection on meats, seafood, nuts, and produce. Inspects records for compliance with applicable laws and ordinances. May supervise and/or train new employees.

Dimensions

Frequent in-state travel, exposure to diseased livestock, manufacturing facilities/machinery, and/or occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals/substances/environments. Occasional to frequent lifting and carrying of heavy/bulky items. Occasional 24/7 on call duty is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION:

• Knowledge of laws/regulations governing the livestock industry and inspections.
• Knowledge of field and laboratory testing procedures and requirements utilized to determine the existence of diseases.
• Ability to perform inspections and issue quarantines on infected or exposed livestock.
• Ability to monitor the movement of livestock to ensure compliance.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to gather documentation for prosecution of violators.

EGG & POULTRY SECTION:

• Ability to interpret laws governing the industry.
• Ability to perform inspections and enforce laws.
• Ability to complete required documents.
• Ability to inspect facilities and equipment for cleanliness.

PLANT INDUSTRIES DIVISION:

• Knowledge of laws and regulations governing inspections.
• Ability to perform inspections.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to withstand hazardous environments.

BUREAU OF STANDARDS:

• Knowledge of laws regarding measurement and weight standards.
• Knowledge of inspection techniques, evidence collection, mathematics, operation of test equipment and devices, record keeping and report writing.
• Ability to work independently, infrequently lift and carry up to 100 pounds, and lift up to 30 pounds.
• Ability to climb, bend/stoop, kneel, push/pull, stand/walk for prolonged time periods, and wear personal protective gear.
• Ability to interpret/apply/enforce all applicable standards.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of a bachelor’s degree in an animal or agriculture related field, business or an applicable field; plus one year in a leadership capacity

OR

The formal education equivalent of an associate’s degree in an animal or agriculture related field, business or an applicable field; plus two years of experience in the applicable field, including one year in a leadership capacity

OR

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus four years of experience in the applicable field, including one years in a leadership capacity.

Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management. OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Must be able to obtain the Arkansas Beef Quality Assurance Program Certification . Must have completed Certificate of Incident Command System (ICS trainings 100, 200, 300, 400, 700 and 800) from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) or another certified trainer.

PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION: Must complete Incident Command System (ICS 100, 200 and two additional course) trainings from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) within one year of hire date. Must complete training provided by relevant professional organizations as required and approved by the Plant Industry Division Director. Must complete CPR and Supervisor and/or Leadership training provided by the TSS – Office of Personnel Management or another certified trainer.

Agency Specific Information:

• Inspects shell hatcheries and processing plants to determine compliance with USDA standards, Egg Product Inspection Act Regulations, and state law by checking for proper sanitation, presence of disease, proper storage temperature, products purchased, disposition of products, and proper product labeling.
• Collects random samples of eggs for inspections and candling to ensure minimum standards are met.
• Inspects retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, distributors, and other egg product users by visiting establishments, selecting random samples of eggs for inspection and candling, verifying packer and distributor permit information, checking storage temperature, reviewing invoices for correct terminology, and checking cartons for code dates, and packer origin to ensure compliance with the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act.
• Acts as a temporary replacement grader at poultry processing plants by examining products from each processing line for compliance with regulations and contract specifications. Monitors plant and processing operations to ensure that facilities and equipment are sanitary and prepares a variety of reports and records related to plant operations and products.
• Acts as temporary replacement grader at shell egg processing plants by inspecting each shift for sanitation and checking and recording temperature and chlorine levels of egg wash. Records temperature and relative humidity of coolers and shipping area. Observes machinery for proper dating and labeling. Examines individual eggs for weight, grade, and quality. Notifies plant management of samples out of compliance.
• Trains company employees in proper egg and poultry grading and issues official certificates for various contracts.
• Reviews contract abstracts and specification requirements and determines that grade, size, and weight conform to specifications.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Frequent overnight travel is required. Exposure to chemicals, varying temperatures, noise, and unpleasant odors is required.

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

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