DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

The Mission of our Agency is to protect the health and safety of Arizona consumers advance and support Arizona agriculture and safeguard commerce.

Supporting farming ranching and agribusiness in Arizona by protecting plants and animals issuing agriculture and environmental licenses inspecting farming practices and overseeing commerce standards and measurement devices.

Address: CITRUS FRUIT AND VEG / NOGALES OPERATIONS
2771 N GRAND AVENUE NOGALES AZ

Salary: 25.00 - 25.00

Grade: 18

Closing Date: AUGUST 22 2025

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is recruiting for a Program Project Specialist 1 for our Citrus Fruit and Vegetable Division. The work location for this position is in Nogales AZ.

Works under general supervision from the Nogales Office Program Project Specialist 2. The position will work with the dispatch team to dispatch for the Nogales Fresh Produce Inspection Program.

Duties to include but not limited to:

Assist warehouse request for inspections; coordinate and dispatch employees to various warehouses in and around Nogales.
Work with Inspection supervisors to resolve issues with staffing and dispatch communications.
Assist with fixed assets inspection equipment and USDA certificates.
Maintain and initial set up of Electronic Inspection Tablets; train employees on the use of the inspection tablets.
Download data from the Nogales Billing System and the Inspection Database to process data.
File all daily paperwork.
Daily database input
Other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

Federal State and agency laws rules regulations and policies governing inspection activities government audit standards principles techniques and procedures; the organizations operational context: size structure functions and relationships; quality management system and reference documents; sector-specific terminology; sector-specific processes and practices; the production handling and marketing of fruit vegetables and other specialty crops; USDA guidelines in proper sample selection grading techniques note sheet and certificate writing; Federal State and agency laws rules regulations and policies governing inspection activities safety practices and public relations; principles and practices of work leadership training and supervision; practices and procedures of inspection standards and authorized enforcement guidelines; practices and procedures of administrative activities of the assignment; the techniques and methods of conducting inspections. Supervisory skills.

Skills in:

Demonstrates adaptability flexibility and strong managerial skills. Ability to work independently under general supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Performs either independently on a team or as a lead as assigned. Work product consists high level reporting to other state and federal agencies. Demonstrates strong communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills Google drive and/or Microsoft office programs analytical experience strong problem solving and decision making time-management continuous improvement. Drive a state vehicle on authorized business and other duties as assigned.

Ability to:

Adapt successfully and quickly to change and deliver quality results in a timely manner; work effectively in high-pressure situations and meet strict deadlines while maintaining extreme attention to details; work cooperatively and effectively with diverse groups of people. Maintain the highest level of confidentiality and security of information; act in an ethical manner at all times: fair truthful sincere honest and discreet; willing to consider alternative ideas or points of view; be tactful in dealing with people; be actively aware of physical surroundings and activities; be instinctively aware of and able to understand situations; be ready to adjust to different situations; be persistent focus on achieving objectives; reaching conclusions in timely manner based on logical reasoning or analysis; act and function independently while interacting effectively with others. Train and direct subordinate employees during peak season.

1 year of dispatch experience
Knowledge of the produce industry

Valid Drivers License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business then the following requirements apply:Drivers License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Agriculture offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance deferred compensation plans and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). ASRS is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.00%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.