Peanut Mill Inspector/Sampler #01193

Title: Peanut Mill Inspector/Sampler #01193

State Role Title: Agricultural Specialist IV

Hiring Range:

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: SUFFOLK-PEANUT OFFICE

Agency Website: www.vdacs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Peanut Inspector/Sampler to provide program support to the Peanut Services Program. This position is primarily responsible for sampling milled peanuts at the Suffolk Office and local shelling mills and sampling Farmers’ Stock peanuts as needed. Other inspection duties include performing sampling of product, sample preparation, grinding samples for lab analysis, certification of Milled Peanuts and tag lot printing to ensure that positive lot identification is maintained throughout the peanut services process. This position may require overtime & irregular work hours during the week both day and night as required, on weekends & holidays, & may include shift work at the local peanut shelling mill as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of manufacturing, warehouse, production, quality control or farming/agricultural practices is beneficial particularly if related to the harvesting & sampling of peanuts including shelling mills & activities; however if you have the ability to be trained on federal/state regulations and are able to meet the conditions of employment as noted below then this knowledge is not specifically necessary as training will be provided. Must be proficient with personal computers with a general understanding of computer program operations & software (MS Office). Must have excellent customer service skills in order to communicate effectively (oral & written) with a diverse clientele including staff, general public and industry officials. Must also be dependable and able to report to work as assigned. This position requires an ability: to read, analyze, interpret, apply and explain complex USDA/State manuals; to organize daily work assignments; and to work with limited supervision. H.S. Diploma/GED required.
Conditions of Employment: Must have or be able to obtain a USDA Sampling License for Farmers’ Stock Peanuts and a USDA Milled Peanut Aide license within six months of hire (training provided). Requires some overnight travel, overtime and use of personal & state vehicle. Must have & maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. Must also be able to meet the physical demands of the position, which include prolonged standing, walking, reaching, bending, lifting or maneuvering up to 100 pounds, as well as working in various weather conditions. Conditions may include working in dust, around machinery, climbing stairs, driving, working in extreme heat or cold weather, and also requires the ability to distinguish colors.

Additional Considerations

Training or coursework in agriculture or related field with a current license by the USDA to sample Farmers’ Stock Peanuts and/or Milled Peanuts. Knowledge of USDA commodity sampling procedures & standards for the sampling of Farmers’ Stock Peanuts and Milled Peanuts is also preferred along with knowledge of the Virginia Peanut industry relating to USDA Peanut Sampling and work experience in a federal or state peanut inspection program in a similar position. An equivalent combination of training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills and abilities may substitute for this education and experience.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: N/A

Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.