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Agriculture Program Specialist - Fresh Fruits and Vegetables

Posting Begin Date: 2025/09/25

Posting End Date: 2025/10/10

Category: Agriculture

Sub Category: Natural Resources

Work Type: Full Time

Minimum Salary: 30.91

Maximum Salary: 30.91

Pay Rate Type: Hourly

Description

•Dedicated to Advancing, Protecting and Promoting Idaho Agriculture with a Balanced Approach to Industry and Consumers”

The Idaho State Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for an Agriculture Program Specialist in the Ag. Inspections division located in Burley, ID.

Apply today!

Key Responsibilities

+ Serve as technical expert for contract inspections, including grading and sampling

+ Oversee and manage the licensed Contract Potato Samplers at all locations across the state.

+ Fill in for crew or sample supervisor when necessary

+ Work with computer programmer(s) to create and update customized software for inspection work stations, validate and verify when program changes are made

+ Educate industry representatives on Federal-State grading standards and processes

+ Explain how the grade standards will be applied to customer contracts

+ Serve as liaison for FFV contract inspection website

+ Assess program resources to meet industry demands

+ Ensure all equipment within grading systems is functioning correctly

+ Remain in compliance with Federal-State laws, standards and regulations

+ Determine training needs for contract crews/samplers, for process inspection sites and winter storage potatoes

+ Develop and/or work with Power Point training programs

+ Participate in and/or Conduct training statewide

+ Conduct in-depth, on-site reviews of process inspection facilities to identify needed changes to maintain consistency in contract inspection processes and procedures statewide.

+ Identify contract inspection deficiencies, includes grading and sampling

+ Determine needed changes in policies and procedures to correct those deficiencies

+ Implement methods and means of correction for deficiencies

+ Explain all deficiencies found and corrective actions taken to applicable section manager

+ Serve as liaison between industry and Bureau of Shipping Point Inspection management to identify new methods and tests to make Idaho grown produce more marketable

+ Organize and motivate contract inspection personnel to work together statewide as one inspection team

+ Represent Bureau of Shipping Point Inspection at National, Multi-State and/or Tri-State Potato Taskforce meetings and various grower and processor meetings, when timing and travel approval allow

+ Represent ISDA for contract inspection BIQMS reviews

+ Support and implement the FF&V Business Plan

Minimum Qualifications

Experience: reviewing grade standards, regulations, policies and/or procedures for compliance or explaining to others how they apply to specific situations. Correspondence with industry members and internal customers. Planning or providing agriculture program services.

MQ Specialties

• Good knowledge of: agricultural practices and their impact on human health and food safety; grading standards and Shipping Point Inspection Bureau operations; marketing orders and processor contracts.

• Experience independently solving problems/performing liaison activities to deal with individuals, agencies or groups. Some knowledge of supervisory practices.

• Experience developing and making oral presentations before groups.

• Some knowledge of computer operations and word processing software.

Benefits:

The State of Idaho offers a robust total compensation package, including medical, vision, and dental insurance; PERSI retirement benefits; paid sick, vacation, and parental leave; and 11 paid holidays per year. For additional information related to benefits and/or State programs, please visit https://dhr.idaho.gov/StateEmployees/Benefits.html.*

If you have questions, please contact us at: [email protected] or at (208) 332-8520

EEO/ADA/Veteran's Preference

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities; auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected] .

Thank you for your interest in the Department of Agriculture!