Commodity Grader III

Class Concept

This is supervisory and technical work in the commodity grading in the largest, more complex poultry, poultry products and shell egg plants, or advanced grading work in classifying red meats or numerous horticultural products in the Marketing Division, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Employees perform supervisory and technical grading work in the larger, complex plants, serve as grader-in-charge of poultry or egg plants with a variety of processing and production operations and multiple contract specifications. Work involves the training and supervision of several graders, maintaining equipment used, maintaining and reviewing records, and dealing with plant management. Employees performing advanced grading work serve as terminal market graders for over ninety varieties of fruits, vegetables and nuts, or as meat graders of beef, pork, veal, lamb and calf for compliance with contract specifications. Employees independently examine commodity products and classify or certify in accordance with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grading standards. Some employees function as Relief Graders who have the capability and licenses to "fill-in" at any plant in NC in the absence of the regularly assigned grader. Work is performed under the general supervision of a grading supervisor and is reviewed through reports and periodic conferences. Work may include other duties as assigned.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of USDA standards, principles, and procedures for grading agricultural commodities in the area of assignment.
• Thorough knowledge of commodity processing procedures and sanitation standards as applied to the determination of a grade.
• Thorough knowledge of equipment calibration and use in the area of assignment.
• Ability to recruit, train, and supervise employees in sample pulling, grading procedures, and equipment use.
• Ability to make uniform and constant decisions in assigning and certifying commodity grades.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with plant management, producers, shippers, receivers, co-workers, and others.
• Ability to complete required forms, records, and reports and to compute billing charges.

Minimum Education and Experience

High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and three years of closely related work experience including two years of experience in grading the commodities of the plant or station to which assigned; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Related work may include commodity grading, farming, quality control, working in a processing plant in the area of assignment, food service, grocery, and manufacturing.

Necessary Special Requirements

Ability to obtain licensure by USDA for commodities grader; possession of a valid state driver's license.