Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program provides accurate, unbiased inspections that facilitates the marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables for the industry and the consuming public. The program also provides voluntary third-party grading of raw products based on contractual terms between producer and processor. The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program Manager is responsible for the administration and operation of the program: including supervision of management staff in three regions who employ approximately 175 FTEs;

oversight of commodities graded, packed, stored and shipped, and oversight and guidance in the inspection of fresh and raw product fruit and vegetables through administration of consistent policies and procedures; implementation of state and federal mandates; and providing services for third-party grading based on producer/processor contracts. The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program Manager provides technical oversight and strategic direction for the Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program that operates in numerous locations throughout the state and reports directly to the Assistant Director (Commodity Inspection).

The program’s mission is to provide reliable self-supporting, fee‑for‑service inspection and certification services to ensure continued trade of high quality, pest‑free fruit and vegetables from Washington. The Program Manager represents the division and program in agency-wide groups and has the lead in related industry interactions. This position is responsible for planning, ensuring, and maintaining the financial viability of the inspection program that is entirely supported by user fees and has a biennial budget of $35 million.

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent WMS Band 2 position within the Commodity Inspection Services Division. This position is located in Yakima or Wenatchee Washington and is not a union represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate’s job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: WMS Band 2 $ 72,420 - $132,924 annually.

• The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program Manager develops and implements policies for the Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program. The scope of work and related deadlines are self‑regulated and implemented through collaboration and direction from the Assistant Director. The Program Manager is required to respond to industry needs to ensure that reliable and technically sound services are provided that make good financial sense and are within agency guidelines and procedures.
  
  Recurring assignments would involve regular visits to regional and area offices to ensure consistent technical implementation and logical managerial direction. The Program Manager must collaborate with federal agencies, such as USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), to enforce…