CDA- Fruit and Vegetable Inspector (Technician I)

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat put on clothes or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorados food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the states workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission:

The CDAs mission is to strengthen and advance Colorados agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.

CDA Wildly Important Goals:

To accomplish our mission CDA focuses on five wildly important goals:

• Goal 1: Expanding National and International Market Access

• Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders

• Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan

• Goal 4: Implementing the Beaver Strategy

• Goal 5: Providing Education on Animal Mistreatment and Livestock Theft

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on ourwebsite.

• Strong secure yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans()
• Medical and dental health plans ( supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHubstate employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs such as flexible schedules remote work opportunities free parking professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: Opportunity

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do including hiring employment and advancement opportunities.

We believe that equity diversity and inclusion drive our success and we encourage candidates from all identities backgrounds and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore in all aspects of the employment process we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race color religion sex disability age sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy medical condition related to pregnancy creed ancestry national origin marital status genetic information or military status (with preference given to military veterans) or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

• Operate and maintain personal motor vehicle for transportation to and from various fresh produce production / handling areas statewide to
• Physically inspect fruits and vegetables by drawing samples in buckets. This requires climbing ladders reaching and lifting samples and weighing them.
• Examines the sample for quality condition and size by weighing cutting and visually looking at produce specimens.

• Records data by hand onto inspection report and calculates sums and percentages using basic math skills.
• Issues written official federal certificates to describe and certify quality size and condition of produce being inspected.
• Keeps inspection manuals and handbooks up to date and in working order.
• Calibrates scale by adjusting it to zero.
• Sharpen knives as needed.
• When required by customers safety standards employee is required to wear ear plugs. bump cap; safety glasses.
• Keeps up with licensing requirements of USDA license.

• Assists customers of inspection requests by explaining/interpreting and applying the appropriate guidelines based on the customers request.
• Figure and bill customer based on contract or non-contract rates.
• Resolves customer discrepancies in a professional manner.

Skills-based Hiring:
This position is advertised in alignment with Executive Order 2022-015 Skills-Based Hiring. Recruitment for this position recognizes that skills can be developed through various pathways including formal education work experience volunteering self-directed learning and other life experiences opening doors to individuals from varied backgrounds. Those with relevant experience but without traditional credentials are welcome to apply!

• One (1) year of full-time work experience in any of the following.
  • Inspection
  • Auditing
  • Quality assurance work
  • Food safety
  • Agricultural work that is closely related to the job duties.
• Must possess or have possessed a USDA Authorization Card (FV-200 FV-201 etc.) within the past 60 months. Verification/proof of possession must be submitted with your application materials.

• Must be an in-state resident of Colorado.
• Must have and maintain a Colorado drivers license to accomplish the travel requirements of this position. (A copy of your current driving record must be provided at the time of interview. Driving record can be obtained through your local Department of Motor Vehicle.)
• Requires current or previous USDA Inspection Card (FV-200 FV-201 etc.) within the past 60 months. Verification/proof of possession must be submitted with your application materials. This information should also include dates of possession commodities licensed to inspect and the State in which license was held.
• Requires the ability to distinguish color variations.
• Requires the ability to lift up to 60 pounds on a regular basis.
• Requires working indoors and outside as needed in inclement weather that could include hot cold wet humid and/ or windy conditions.
• Inspectors are required to reside in the San Luis Valley area. Positions are located in the San Luis Valley but employees may be assigned temporarily to a different location in the state during certain times of the year.
• Employees must occasionally work overtime weekends and holidays

• Technical expertise in fruit and vegetable inspection
• Ability to prioritize.
• Ability to work well with both internal and external customers.
• Computer and cell phone skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Detail oriented.
• Work well under pressure.
• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Highly resourceful team-player with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
• OR If you are not able to submit an online application a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application. Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

• Technical Competence Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website If you appeal your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form signed by you or your representative and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director Attn: Appeals Processing 1525 Sherman Street 4th Floor Denver CO 80203. Fax: . Phone: . Email address:@. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures 4 CCR 801 for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures are available at.