Abolished 10/07

AGRICULTURAL INSPECTOR I

8205C3

Pay Grade: 19

DEFINITION OF WORK

Summary

This is technical inspection work in an agricultural regulatory program.

Work involves conducting inspections to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, or local laws, and on-site testing of agricultural or dairy products and weighing and measuring devices.

Standard Classification Factors

Supervision Received - LEVEL B: "Under general supervision..." Employees working under general supervision usually receive some instructions with respect to the details of most assignments but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to only periodic checks.

Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average - Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category.

Complexity - LEVEL D: Work is of a diversified nature that usually involves multiple, unrelated steps. Analytical thought is necessary for dealing with complex data and situations. Work often involves a variety of unrelated processes and may require planning or carrying out a sequence of actions or both. Several alternatives usually exist at this level for approaching problems or situations. Workers at this level exercise a considerable amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by occasional review and by reporting to or consultation with supervisors or superiors. When guidelines exist at this level, they are usually broadly defined or technical requiring careful analysis and interpretation.

Consequences of Actions and Decisions - LEVEL D: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are significant as the work may be rarely if ever reviewed, making errors difficult to detect. Errors may cause major program failure or a high degree of confusion. Injuries to others due to errors are serious or incapacitating or both and costs due to errors are substantial.

Contacts - LEVEL A: The purpose of the contact is to obtain, clarify, give or screen established factual information, regardless of the type (i.e., easily understood or technical) within a well defined relationship. Normal communication skills are required.

Physical Demands - LEVEL C: The work requires moderate physical exertion.

Environmental Conditions - LEVEL B: The work environment involves moderate hazards, risks or discomforts. Exposure to minor deviations from pleasant environmental conditions is normal. Minor to serious injuries are possible.

Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL A: No supervisory or leadership responsibility; may explain work instructions or assist in training others.

Distinguishing Features

Differs from the Agricultural Inspector II class in which the incumbent performs advanced inspection work.

EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

Checks commodities, agricultural feed products or egg containers for accuracy of labeling of weight, ingredients, or size. Stops sale of those products inaccurately labeled.

Examines animals and carcasses for disease, withholds abnormal animals and carcasses for veterinary inspection, stamps carcasses as passed or condemned; checks equipment and processing practices for compliance with sanitary requirements.

Inspects dairy facilities and equipment for cleanliness to determine compliance with laws, regulations and standards; grades products such as butter and cream.

Applies standard tests and 50 pound minimum weights to livestock scales and other weighing and measuring devices in conformance with tolerances, and rejects those that are defective.

Collects samples of dairy or feed products, which requires the incumbent to lift and carry bags weighing a minimum of 50 pounds, and makes on-spot tests or sends them for laboratory analysis.

Completes reports of inspections and violations.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS

Knowledge

Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations pertaining to regulation of the dairy processing industry, the commercial use of weighing and measuring devices, sale of agricultural products, or meat and poultry product processing plants.

Knowledge of sanitary procedures and practices as related to meat and poultry processing and packing or the manufacture of dairy products.

Abilities

*Ability to explain and interpret laws and regulations to the public and personnel of private industry.

*Ability to learn standard testing and/or inspecting techniques pertaining to weights and measures, livestock slaughtering, dairy products or agricultural feed products.

*Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds.

*Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with the public and the personnel of private industry.

*Necessary at Entry

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

One year of experience in agricultural product inspection and measurement or livestock production.  Education in agricultural sciences may be substituted for experience as determined relevant by the agency. 

NC:   06/93
REV: 12/95
REV: 11/96
REV: 10/98
REV: 02/00
REV: 08/05