Fruit & Vegetable Certification Specialist - WA Dept. of Agriculture (Job)
Description:
The Fruit and Vegetable Inspection Program is one half of the Commodity Inspection Division and provides accurate and unbiased inspection services to the fresh produce and processing industry to ensure orderly marketing of fruits and vegetables. Commodities are inspected for quality, size, labeling, condition, and contract specifications, and may be certified as free from disease and insects as required by domestic and international markets.
This position reports directly to the Office Supervisor and independently interprets, reviews and applies F&V inspection processes, policies and procedures to coordinate, audit and inspection certificates, documentation and program data to ensure compliance with federal inspection requirements.
Position and Salary Information
WSDA is recruiting for multiple full-time permanent Program Specialist 2 position within the Commodity Inspection Fruit and Vegetable Division. This position is located in Yakima, Washington and is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Some of the various responsibilities within this role:
- Sort, assemble, cross reference and process state and federal-state inspection certificates and documents such as SC205’s and FV184’s required by WSDA inspection criteria.
- Prepare federal and state inspection certificates from the various importing country requirements.
- Enter inspection data into F&V Program finance and accounting database (FA2).
- Perform system validation on web-based operation systems (FA2 &Certificates of Compliance). Audit system functionality to ensure changes made to the system are working as requested and meet regulatory requirements. Identify system deficiencies and provides recommendations to supervisor and regional managers.
- Oversee financial model designed by Public Financial Management (PFM) Group. Upload and audit revenue and expenditures into PFM model.
- Oversee all document inventory of federal and state documents within the program. Register and track all documents checked out to WSDA staff and industry. Generate document tracking report for staff and industry.
- Reviews audit and associating documentation submitted by F&V licensed auditors for accuracy and completeness. During administrative audit of paperwork, any discrepancies found are returned to the auditors/auditor’s supervisors for corrections. Once corrected, forms are audited again for accuracy of changes and submitted to USDA.
- Receive approved documents from USDA and distributes the audits via email and mail to the applicants.
- Maintain, input and update the registration of apple shipping facilities in the Mexico Apple Export Program on an annual basis by apple crop year. Oversee registrations for the current crop year for the apple industry to ship apples to Mexico and help maintain reduced overhead fees to facilities.
- Coordinate and send registration information to APHIS-PPQ on shipping facilities. Provide information for facilities, updates WSDA Apples to Mexico online registration database, and process registrations submitted in FA2.net to reflect any changes to the registration such as adding/removing cold rooms and associate companies.
- Audit the information on inspection documentation, such as Notesheets, Phytosanitary Certificates, Certificates of Compliance and Shipping Permits provided by F&V inspectors and industry members for completeness, accuracy, and variance from program standards. Documents needing corrections are returned to staff, corrected, or voided based on federal policies and procedures.
- Answer phone calls and provide program specific information for customers regarding FA2 inquiries and locating inspection documents.
- Assist with daily administrative support needs such as processing mail, conducting supply inventory, printing, scanning, creating reports and organizing data.
- Support other admin staff in their absence with processing and tracking the Canadian Ministerial Exemptions; assist system administrators with password resets and approving or denying Certificates of Compliance Agreements in FA2; audit and approve employee monthly travel expense vouchers and related expenditures.
- Regularly utilizes word processing, spreadsheets, and other database software to monitor program activities.
Skills/Eligibility:
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
- Associate in Business Degree or related field.
OR
- High school diploma or equivalent and Two (2) years’ experience interpreting and applying laws, rules and standards, data processing, auditing, reconciling, or budgeting work.
OR
- Equivalent education/experience.
Special Requirements
- Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver’s license to travel on agency business.
Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
- Three (3) years’ experience in an agriculture related field and familiarity with inspections, certifications, and marketing of agricultural commodities.
- Knowledge of agency designated software (FA2.net), Acrobat, GP System, OFM Accounts Receivable System Portal and File Maker.
- Knowledge of state government organization and administrative procedures, federal and local government functions, and office procedures.
- Ability to lift 20 pounds or manage hand carts.