GRAIN INSPECTOR III

DEFINITION

This is advanced technical work in the grain inspection program of the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this class grades grain samples based upon established federal grain inspection standards and issues official grain certificates. Work also includes obtaining samples of grain and/or processed commodities, checkweighing and checkloading processed grain commodities, and preparing samples for grading. Work may include responsibility for training and functional supervision of lower-level employees engaged in grain-sampling, commodity-sampling or grain-grading activities and may involve serving as a designated Agency Quality Assurance Specialist (AQAS) for the assigned grain inspection service point. Work is performed under general supervision from a higher-level Grain Inspector or designated superior.

Any one position may not involve all of the specified duties or knowledges, skills and abilities, nor are the listed examples exhaustive.

EXAMPLES OF WORK

Examines prepared grain samples for grading factors such as discoloration, infestation, and sour or musty odor; separates and weighs damaged grain, debris and foreign material; computes dockage and enters on work record.

Assigns grain grades based upon established federal grain inspection standards as specified by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and issues official grain certificates.

Prepares grain samples for grading by performing the necessary tests to determine moisture content, test weight, dockage and presence of foreign material.

Performs specialized tests such as aflatoxin and protein analysis; calibrates equipment, grinds samples, reads results and enters readings on official certificates.

Serves as a designated Agency Quality Assurance Specialist (AQAS) for the assigned grain inspection service point; serves as liaison to federal grain inspection agencies; trains lower-level Grain Inspectors in official grading techniques and maintains training records; performs internal quality control procedures such as random reinspections; attends seminars and disseminates revisions to grading standards; prepares and submits monthly reports.

Obtains representative samples of grain and/or processed grain commodities utilizing FGIS procedures; checkweighs and checkloads processed grain commodities in accordance with procedures established by the Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA).

Conducts periodic safety inspections of grain elevators, looking for hazardous or unclean conditions such as accumulated grain dust and spilled grain; check-tests, maintains and performs minor repairs on sampling equipment at grain elevators.

Trains and provides functional supervision to lower-level employees engaged in grain-sampling, commodity-sampling and/or grain-grading activities; instructs employees on safety procedures and demonstrates safety equipment; maintains employee performance logs and prepares periodic supervision reports.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of state and federal laws, policies, rules and regulations relating to grain sampling.

Considerable knowledge of state and federal laws, policies, rules and regulations relating to grain grading.

Working knowledge of the principles of effective supervision and training.

Ability to operate a variety of sampling devices and grading tools.

Ability to adapt to and work in an environment that may include factors such as noise, foul air, grain dust, inclement weather, extreme heights and moving machinery.

Ability to perform detailed and repetitive work in accordance with exacting standards.

Ability to perceive distinctions in grain color and grain odor.

Ability to maintain records, perform calculations and prepare reports.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other employees, grain businesses, federal officials, other professionals in the grain trade and the general public.

Ability to train lower-level employees, and to make and oversee their daily work assignments.

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)

Two years of grain-sampling experience with an official grain inspection agency, of which one year must have included significant work in grain grading, and possession of a high school diploma or a GED certificate. (One year of work experience may be substituted for the required high school education.)

OR

One year as a Grain Inspector II in the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

Possession of USDA/FGIS license to sample grain, USDA/AMA license to sample processed grain commodities, and USDA/FGIS license to perform technician functions (moisture, test weight, dockage and foreign material). Possession of USDA/FGIS licenses to grade corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum and mixed grain; possession of USDA/FGIS license(s) to grade additional grain(s) may be required for certain assignments.

(Eff. 10/1/92)