GRAIN INSPECTOR IV

DEFINITION

This is highly technical and administrative work in the grain inspection program of the Department of Agriculture.

An employee in this class serves as assistant manager of a moderate-to-large-sized grain inspection service point, or serves as the manager of a small service point. Work involves responsibility for quality assurance activities for the assigned service point as designated Agency Quality Assurance Specialist (AQAS), including training and supervision of employees in official grading techniques and ensuring compliance with federal grain inspection standards. General supervision is received from an administrative superior; however, the employee is expected to exercise discretion, judgment and a high degree of initiative in the performance of duties.

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

Plans, assigns, schedules, reviews and evaluates the work of lower-level and on-call employees engaged in grain-sampling, commodity-sampling and/or grain-grading activities; maintains employee performance logs and prepares periodic supervision reports.

As manager of a small service point, promotes and represents the services of the grain inspection program to current and potential customers of the assigned service point; serves as liaison to federal grain inspection agencies; makes recommendations to management on planning, budgeting and policy development for the grain inspection program; strives to achieve established financial profitability goals by efficient and productive utilization of resources.

As assistant manager of a moderate-to-large-sized grain inspection service point, assumes the duties of the service point manager in his/her absence.

Serves as 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.

Makes recommendations on selection and assignment of personnel, changes in work procedures, and equipment improvements.

Answers questions and resolves problems of the grain industry and the general public concerning official grain inspection practices and results.

Prepares and examines grain samples, assigns grain grades based upon established federal grain inspection standards and issues official grain certificates.

Performs other related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

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

Considerable 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 perceive distinctions in grain color and grain odor.

Ability to communicate effectively and to prepare and maintain detailed records and 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, supervise and evaluate lower-level employees.

Ability to plan, assign and schedule the work of lower-level and on-call employees in accordance with the fluctuating requirements of grain company clients.

Ability to interpret and apply policies, rules, regulations and laws.

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 experience with an official grain inspection agency which 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 III 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)