Community Partnerships Specialist

Overview:
The Certification Specialist provides high quality customer service along with skilled review and auditing verification to support positive organic certification experiences for organic producers in our service territory, while upholding the USDA National Organic Program regulations. This position assesses compliance of an operation’s organic system plan, reviews inspection reports, and issues subsequent responses. This position works collaboratively with other certification specialists, inspection program manager, and inspectors, and conducts inspections and pesticide residue sampling as time allows.

Certification Specialists also support the MCS quality management system, and may represent MCS at conferences or other MOFGA events. Contributing to MCS policy development, writing pieces for MCS’ newsletter, The Organic Sprout, is an expectation for this position.

Supervisor:
Director of MOFGA Certification Services

Position:
Salaried. Federal Fair Labor Standards Act exempt. The employee is not eligible for overtime payment. This position is part of the MOFGA Workers United Union bargaining unit.

Work Week: 40 hours - Monday through Friday. Additional evening and weekend hours as required.

Salary Range:
This is a salaried position, with a starting salary range of $50,000-$55,000 annually, dependent upon experience. MOFGA has an excellent benefits package, including paid medical, dental and vision insurance, and parental leave. Employees receive a generous paid time off package, including vacation and sick time, three personal days, two week-long office closures, 14 paid holidays annually, and a sabbatical after seven years of employment.

Location:

This position is remote, requiring travel within MCS’ service territory, and off-site visits to client’s farms and production facilities. The service territory includes the state of Maine, the state of New Hampshire, and the northeastern areas of Massachusetts. Our offices are located in Unity, Maine and staff are welcome to work from this office as much as they like. Will need to travel to Unity for occasional meetings and required participation in the Common Ground Country Fair.

This position is required to be based within the MCS service territory.

Requirements:

• Education or experience in organic certification or regulatory compliance, including inspections and auditing.
• Knowledge of the USDA-National Organic Program standards, especially as it applies to the crop, maple syrup, and processing scopes.
• Working knowledge of organic or sustainable crop and livestock farms, maple syrup, and food processing.
• A demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, especially in writing.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Proficiency in computer software, including databases and collaborative platforms.
• Strong interpersonal skills that welcome collaboration and constructive feedback.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable vehicle
• A commitment to MOFGA’s mission and values.
• IOIA training and prior organic inspection experience a plus
• College degree in agriculture or related field a plus
• Must be able to travel to attend meetings, training workshops and conferences.
• Participate in MOFGA’s Common Ground Country Fair as needed.

Certification Specialist Responsibilities:

• Performs certification activities for clients including these specific activities:
  • Perform technical reviews of organic system plans. Communicates according to policy with producers about the results of these reviews.
  • Review inspection reports for these same clients. Communicates according to policy with producers about the results of these reviews.
  • Assists applicants by explaining the organic standards and the certification process, encouraging them to take advantage of the technical services offered by…