AGRI COMMODITY COMPLIANCE SPECIALIST

Date: Mar 6, 2021

Req ID: 4034

Location:

Little Rock, AR, US, 72205

Category: ARKANSAS AGRICULTURE DEPT

Anticipated Starting Salary: 29,046

Position Number: 22094677
County: Crawford
Posting End Date: until filled
Anticipated Starting Salary: 29,046
Egg Division

Hiring Authority

1 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, AR 72205

501/823-1744

Email: cheri.ellis@agriculture.arkansas.gov

As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.

Position Information

Class Code: X149C

Grade: GS04

FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary Range: $29,046.00 - $42,117.00

Summary

The Agriculture Commodity Compliance Specialist is responsible for providing technical supervision of company employees and for monitoring poultry and poultry products to ensure compliance with established standards. This position is governed by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, state and federal laws, and agency/institution policy.

Functions

Monitors temperatures and relative humidity in the coolers; checks temperatures of the washers, the individual egg, and the final rinse according to established procedures. Tests the sanitizer spray rinse to ensure compliance with USDA requirements. Verifies the accuracy of individual and bulk scales. Monitors and verifies the grading of poultry and poultry products performed by industry graders by observing, examining samples of finished products, counting, weighing, and checking temperature to ensure compliance with USDA regulations. Performs pre-operational sanitation inspection of the plant facility according to the USDA standards. Inspects poultry processed under government contract by examining product to determine conformance with specifications. Issues certificates for shipping, verifying compliance with regulations. Inspects trucks used for shipping poultry and poultry products for cleanliness and temperature control. Trains selected industry personnel to grade poultry to USDA standards, and notifies processing plant management of grading/operational problems and recommends corrective action. Contacts plant management of non-compliance standards and/or safety hazards; recommends corrective action. Maintains USDA Shell Egg and Poultry regulations and instruction manuals. Informs relief graders and plant management of all regulation changes. Monitors the training of new employed poultry graders in an extensive on-the-job training program. Observes for any hazardous or contamination that may affect the product or the employees. Prepares monthly reports, volume reports, administrative charges, and total of monthly hours and expenses charged to the plant. Performs other duties as assigned.

Dimensions

Shift work is required. Exposure to varying temperatures and humidity levels is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of USDA grading techniques, standards, and regulations. Knowledge of shell egg and poultry processing equipment. Ability to pass a standardized test on federal regulations governing the grading and inspection of poultry and/or poultry products. Ability to perform/monitor on-site inspections to determine/verify compliance with USDA standards and recommend corrective action. Ability to complete and submit required documents and reports in accordance with established procedures. Ability to inspect facilities and equipment for cleanliness. Ability to perform commodity grading. Ability to train and oversee the work of co-workers and industry poultry graders. Ability to maintain poultry and shell egg regulations and specification manuals.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education of high school diploma; plus four years of experience in poultry inspection, commodity grading, or related field.

Licenses

Licensed as a poultry and/or shell egg grader by the United States Department of Agriculture as established by the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 as amended (7USC 1621)

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Agency Specific Information:

Inspects shell hatcheries and processing plants to determine compliance with USDA standards, Egg Product Inspection Act Regulations, and state law by checking for proper sanitation, presence of disease, proper storage temperature, products purchased, disposition of products, and proper product labeling.
Collects random samples of eggs for inspections and candling to ensure minimum standards are met.
Inspects retail food stores, restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes, distributors and other egg product users by visiting establishments, selecting random samples of eggs for inspection and candling, verifying packer and distributor permit information, checking storage temperature, reviewing invoices for correct terminology, and checking cartons for code dates, and packer origin to ensure compliance with the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act.
Acts as a temporary replacement grader at poultry processing plants by examining products from each processing line for compliance with regulations and contract specifications. Monitors plant and processing operations to ensure that facilities and equipment are sanitary and prepares a variety of reports and records related to plant operations and products.
Acts as temporary replacement grader at shell egg processing plants by inspecting each shift for sanitation and checking and recording temperature and chlorine levels of egg wash. Records temperature and relative humidity of coolers and shipping area. Observes machinery for proper dating and labeling. Examines individual eggs for weight, grade, and quality. Notifies plant management of samples out of compliance.
Trains company employees in proper egg and poultry grading and issues official certificates for various contracts.
Reviews contract abstracts and specification requirements and determines that grade, size, and weight conform to specifications.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Frequent overnight travel is required. Exposure to chemicals, varying temperatures, noise, and unpleasant odors is required.