Agricultural Commodity Inspector

Overview

The Delaware Department of Agriculture is seeking a dedicated and detail-oriented Agricultural Commodity Inspector. Primary work location will be in the Perdue Poultry Processing Plant in Georgetown, DE, night shift. This position is responsible for independently conducting inspections of agricultural commodities, specifically in the poultry industry, in accordance with federal and state standards. Duties include preparing detailed inspection reports, maintaining and issuing certificates and forms, and making final determinations on inspection outcomes.

The role requires successful completion of 160 hours of training to obtain a poultry grading license.

• Conduct inspections of commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables to determine compliance with various contractor or USDA standards (grade, weight, quantity, packaging) and make final grade determinations.
• Inspect, sample, test, and grade commodities using standard inspection techniques; grade poultry including whole birds, drum, legs, wings, breast, and boneless skinless products, including marinated products, antibiotic-free claims, and organic claims; evaluate factors such as fleshing, finish, defects, age, weight, and other conditions.
• Examine eggs for weight, color, soundness, shell texture, absence of defects, clarity of yolk outline, and clarity and firmness of albumen.
• Prepare and issue certifications of products for international and national distribution.
• Monitor food safety controls such as sanitation, processing, and storage conditions; communicate issues to supervisor and/or management as needed.
• Verify store labeling specifications including expiration dates, product codes, and dates for compliance; ensure appropriate labels are applied.
• Enforce federal and state laws, rules, and regulations and resolve issues within the range of normal plant activities involving grading/inspection determinations and operating problems.
• Interpret and apply technical standards, rules, and regulations; explain and defend grade and inspection determinations and coordinate grading services with plant production activities.
• Cooperate with federal agencies, official state organizations and agencies, and other state representatives on matters related to agricultural inspection and grading.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with plant personnel, retailers, farmers, and facility management.
• Utilize computers to enter information and prepare a variety of reports and records (e.g., plant production data, grading results, certificates issued, and other administrative records).
• Provide technical information and assistance to representatives of the Attorney General's Office and the Inspector General's Office in preparing court cases and testifying.

• Education, training, and/or experience demonstrating competence in inspecting agricultural commodities such as poultry, eggs, or fruits and vegetables.
• Knowledge of basic math (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, decimals).
• Knowledge of record keeping and applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).

Poultry Grading License must be obtained after 160 hours (minimum) of training.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware Executive Branch participates in the Federal E-Verify system where the State will provide the federal government with each new hire’s Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our job seeker resources.

Functional Capability Evaluation:
Upon a conditional offer, you must take a Functional Capability Evaluation to assess your strength and agility to meet the physical requirements of the position.

All applicants must read the detailed physical requirements for this position which is located at the State of…