Grain Sampler​/Weigher

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AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

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 Opportunity:

The Commodity Inspection Division provides unbiased third-party inspections for a wide variety of Washington State agricultural products and assists agricultural companies in the movement and exporting of their products. The division is made up of roughly 365 FTEs through four statewide programs:
Fruit and Vegetable Inspection, Grain Inspection, Grain Warehouse Audit, and Seed Inspection and Certification.

The Grain Inspection Program provides sampling, weighing, quality testing, grade inspection, and phytosanitary services for grains and commodities to assist in the facilitation of grain movement. These services are available to the grain, commodity trade and other interested parties on request, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week at all our inspection offices located in Seattle, Tacoma, Aberdeen, Longview, Kalama, Vancouver, Spokane, or Colfax.

This position reports directly to a Grain Inspection Supervisor.  The incumbent in this position weighs and certifies grains and/or commodities; check ship holds, containers, and other conveyances for fitness to load grains and commodities; works in railroad yards, grain elevators and other hazardous areas to draw samples of grains and commodities by means of approved sampling devices.  Performs mycotoxin testing and other analytical tests as required, including operating special grain inspection equipment to determine protein (NIRT) and other testing.

Important Notes:

WSDA is recruiting for two (2) part-time non-permanent Grain Sampler/Weigher positions within the Commodity Inspection Division. This position is located in Tacoma, Washington. They are represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Union.

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:
Range 36, Step A $18.75 - Step L $24.23 hourly.

What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within these roles:

Sample and weigh grain and other commodities using official scales provided by the applicants

* Weigh, samples, and examine grain and agricultural commodities at mills, shipping points, grain elevators and other locations.

* Operate testing equipment in a laboratory.

* Work with hopper, platform, dial, and electronic scales to determine weights and make necessary adjustments as needed; record gross and tare weights, compute net weights and issues Domestic Official Weight Certificates.

* Maintain records and documentation of scale conditions and all weighing activities.

* Obtain samples from railcars, trucks containers and other conveyances, moving streams of grain, and vessel holds using standardized sample collection equipment provided by employer.

* Work in railroad yards and other hazardous areas, opening and closing container doors, recording on sample ticket container condition, identification, seal numbers applied, and other required information.

* Sample, check weighs, and check loads shipping containers for compliance with government contracts.

* Sample commodities and grains for inspection and phytosanitary certification, sample grass seed for phytosanitary certification, sample products and/or weighs commodities under directions issued by USDA agencies, such as the Agricultural Marketing Service or Farm Service Agency.

* Drive agency vehicle to perform exams/inspections.

Conduct protein and mycotoxin testing on grains and commodities

* Conduct protein and mycotoxin testing on grains and commodities.

* Operate specialized grain inspection equipment to determine protein, mycotoxins, falling numbers, dockage, moisture, testweight per bushel, or other mechanical determinations as required using specially approved testing equipment, computers, and procedures.

Perform Stowage examinations

* Perform stowage examinations on containers, vessels, and other conveyances for fitness to load grains and commodities.

* Check ship holds, containers and/or other conveyances to determine fitness for grain cargo and other commodities; issues ship sanitation certificates in compliance with state and federal regulations, performs observations of fumigation.

* Drive agency vehicle to perform…