Grain Inspector - Western Territory

Job Location

Job Location: Western Region of Missouri. Employees residing in the following Missouri counties are preferred for proximity to frequent customers, but residence outside of these counties is NOT disqualifying:
Buchanan, Clay, Clinton, Jackson, and Platte counties
. See travel section for more information.

No two days are the same! Grain inspectors primarily perform hands-on work in the field (typically at grain elevators) with some in-office duties. Some work is independent, and some with a team. Some work is outdoors, and some is indoors. There is always something to learn!

Acting as an unbiased third party between buyers and sellers, Grain Inspectors play a critical role to Missouri agriculture – supporting local farmers, and helping to feed, fuel, and clothe the world!

• Starting base salary: $40,081.92
• Pay incentives
  • +$4.00 per hour for nights & weekends
  • +$5.00 per hour when working on shuttle trains
• Full state benefit package (see benefits section)
• Years-of-Service Retention Pay Plan

The salary indicated represents the current regular pay rate for this position. If the individual selected is eligible for a pay differential (e.g., Years of Service), it will be added to total compensation on their paycheck. A pay differential does not raise base pay.

• Variable hours: there is not a set schedule
• Work does occur on nights, weekends, and some holidays
• Early starts (5a – 8a) are common
• Long days (10-14+ hours) are common
• When working 40+ hours in a week, comp time is gained (1.5x) – which can be used similarly to vacation time or when customer service needs are lighter
• Employees are typically notified each afternoon of their next day’s start time & work site; dispatching is subject to change with minimal notice due to railroad unpredictability

After the initial required inspection licenses and overall successful job performance:

• Salary increases:
  Additional inspection licenses;
  Years-of-Service Retention Pay Plan
• Promotional opportunities:
  Senior Agricultural Inspector, Specialist, Assistant Manager, and Manager
• Receive on-the-job training (no experience required)
• Inspect condition of carriers (such as railcars & containers)
• Obtain samples of grain throughout the loading process
• Process the samples for moisture, test weight, dockage, foreign material, insects, mycotoxins; inspect the grain for damage and other subjective factors
• Maintain vehicles, sampling and lab equipment, and work environments properly
• Maintain effective, professional working relationships with other employees, customers, and the general public
• Obtain USDA/FGIS licenses within established time frames
• Perform other related work as assigned

• Inspection offices:
  Kansas City, MO and St. Joseph
• Territory:
  Western Missouri territory (Iowa border to Arkansas border)
• Travel Expectations:
  Employees are expected to commute to the closest inspection office from their home each workday, pick up a state vehicle, and are dispatched to work site(s).
• Travel between inspection office(s) and work site(s) is on the clock.
• Employees typically return to their home office within the same day. Therefore, this position is listed at 0-10% travel.
• While longer and overnight shifts do occur, overnight hotel stays are very rare.

• At least 18 years old
• Possess a valid Driver’s license
• Possess a high school diploma or GED/equivalent
• Work experience may be substituted for deficiency in the required education
• Adapt to variable work schedules that include nights, weekends and holidays, and that are subject to change with minimal notice
• Consistent & reliable communication & transportation

Employees in this position must be able to:

• Regularly work in a grain elevator environment that may include factors such as loud noise, grain dust, all forms of weather, extreme heights and moving belts or mechanisms
• Regularly work in enclosed spaces (shipping containers) for short periods to inspect the carrier for damage
• Distinguish subtle differences in color & odor
• Occasionally work from heights, including the ability to frequently climb stairs and ladders
• Frequently lift a minimum of…