Job Description

The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agencys HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race color national origin religion sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression pregnancy childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth age physical or mental disability genetic information marital status creed political beliefs or affiliation veteran status military service retaliation or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.

The Montana Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a Agriculture Inspector Supervisor located in Great Falls MT. Open until filled with first review of candidates December 1 2025.

The Montana Department of Agriculture operates more than 30 programs. These include regulatory programs that protect producers consumers and the environment as well as development and marketing programs to foster growth in Montana agriculture. Our agency is serving Montana agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky.

The State Grain Laboratory located in Great Falls is responsible for the operation of a statewide grain and commodity inspection program. Accurate and unbiased sampling inspections and testing are performed in compliance with federal and state grain standards. The State Grain Laboratory is the only federally designated official grain inspection service in the state of Montana. The purpose of official grain inspection is to certify the type and grade of crops for setting market values under federal standards issued by USGA/AMA.

Job Overview:

Provide and direct training plan for all inspection activities. Collecting testing and awarding grades for commodity samples using federal grain inspection procedures outlined by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA).

• Supervise staff and assign workflows to promote efficient lab operations.
• Optimize the inspection process flow from initial customer request to final entry into the system.
• Serve as a backup to the Lab Director as needed.

As an Agriculture Inspector Supervisor you will:

• Collect and observe agricultural or agricultural-related samples ensuring representative sampling following standard operating procedures.
• Inspect samples and compare characteristics (e.g. size shape etc.) with standards and tolerance levels.
• Record data pertaining to agricultural samples .
• Respond to general agricultural inquiries.
• Maintain regular communication with growers to assess inspection needs respond to questions and provide advice and assistance.
• May prepare samples for analysis following proper protocols to ensure that they will be labeled stored prepared and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
• Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
• Declare quality of products including for conformance to specifications .
• Use and apply federal state local and industry/commodity-specific regulations procedures grading standards and inspections .
• Perform grading functions as a USDA/FGIS-licensed grain inspector for commodities.
• Provide direction to appropriate resources for information about diseased or damaged crops.
• Respond to customers regarding inspection reports including providing rationale for grading decisions and appeals processes.
• May include quality assurance such as insuring samples are processed efficiently and accurately.
• Responsible for all training and testing of inspection and sampling staff.
• Supervise or manage at least 2 FTE.
• Perform management functions including hiring firing performance management discipline work distribution and employee development.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of quality and safety standards for an officially licensed grain Lab.
• Skilled in explaining and demonstrating grading techniques crop quality problems due to disease weather damaged kernels or bin storage problems and the principles practices procedures and methods of grain inspection.
• Ability to administer the Quality Management Program.
• Knowledge of basic management principles including strategic planning resource allocation human resources and leadership techniques.
• A bility to motivate coach mentor and build strong relationships within the team as well as delegate tasks effectively and foster a collaborative environment.
• Skill ed in addressing and resolving interpersonal or work-related conflicts calmly and professionally to maintain team harmony and productivity. Skilled in review and auditing of all aspects impacting quality e.g. controlled documents and records procedures equipment setup standards calibration SIMS.
• Ability to assist with customer calls concerns and information.
• Strong oral and written skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the grain industry grain producers and the public.
• Ability to create and utilize standardized training procedure documents.
• Skilled in providing hands-on training and On-The-Job training.
• Ability to use Train-The-Trainer techniques with other designated trainers.
• Maintains training logs for all staff.
• Ability to serve as FGIS interface for licensing exams.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Occasional travel for sample collection.
• Occasional outdoor work during inclement weather conditions.
• Works in a laboratory environment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High-school diploma or equivalent.
• FGIS & AMA licenses to grade major grains and pulses in Montana.
• 3 years experience training samplers and inspectors.
• 3 years experience grading commodities.
• 2 years experience directly supervising staff.
• Valid drivers license with an acceptable driving record.
• Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted.

Physical Demands:

• Operate motor vehicle and other job-related equipment.
• Standing walking and sitting for long periods of time.
• Occasional climbing of ladders and stairs as high as 25 heights.
• Frequent bending and reaching.
• Ability to lift 50lbs.
• Work stress caused by varying factors such as economics workload and environmental.
• Work stress caused by industry opinion conflicts and enforcement of governing rules.
• Operate a computer requiring visual acuity necessary to discern details.

This position is eligible for a sign-on bonus for qualifying employees as described here in the amount of $

Required Experience:

Manager

Job Tags

Full time, Casual work, Local area, Relocation package,

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