CDA-Fruit and Vegetable Inspector in Training (Temporary Aide)

Department Information

Who We Are: 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. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission: The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.

Core Values: Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect

CDA Wildly Important Goals: To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on four “wildly important goals:” Goal 1: Advancing Local Food Access, Goal 2: Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture, Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture, Goal 4: Advancing Animal Health and Welfare. We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers.

What You Get From Us: In addition to a great work location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans (www.copera.org)
• Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
• Employer 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
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program
• State of Health
• Adequate work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

Description of Job

This recruitment will be used to fill multiple vacancies. This is a Temporary Aide Position - limited to a duration not to exceed 9 months. This is a great opportunity to learn the position in preparation for applying for future permanent vacancies that offer a full menu of benefits.

Duties

• Operates and maintains personal motor vehicle for transportation to and from various fresh produce production I 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.
• Compares defective and off size product with appropriate scoring guidelines.
• Works under close supervision to become fully competent in inspection work.
• 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.
• Sharpens knives as needed.
• When required by customer's 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.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights: None
• Preferred Qualifications (be sure to list these on your application if applicable): Full-time work experience in any of the following areas: inspection; auditing; quality assurance work; food safety; or agricultural work that is closely related to the job duties.
• High School Diploma or GED;
• Good organizational skills;
• Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively both in writing and verbally;
• Good visual comparison skills;
• Good math skills.

Conditions Of Employment

• Must have and maintain a Colorado driver's license to accomplish the travel requirements of this position.
• Complete MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) due to the new state driving policy that took effect March 31, 2025.
• 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.