Ag Compliance Investigator - Polk Co

Job Title: Certified Organic Program Ag Compliance Investigator

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is dedicated to improving the quality of life for all Iowans through a wide range of impactful programs. We are seeking a dynamic and motivated Organic Program Ag Compliance Investigator to join our Agriculture Diversification and Market Development Bureau. This role offers the opportunity to contribute to the resilience and development of Iowa’s organic food systems with work within the three primary scopes of certified organic production: crops, livestock, and processing.

Key Responsibilities:

File Management for Organic Certification:

• • Review client files to ensure they meet USDA Organic rules.
  • Do yearly checks of client files, focusing on their Organic System Plans (OSPs) to make sure they follow USDA standards.
  • Review inspection reports after inspections and follow up with clients if needed to complete the review.
  • Perform checks to verify that the products clients are selling are certified organic.
  • Communicate with clients to ensure their files are clear and complete.
  • Help clients understand the requirements for organic certification.
  • Participate in team meetings to review materials used in organic operations, and research the ingredients of those materials.
  • Stay updated on USDA Organic rules and regulations that impact clients.

Operations Inspections:

• • Schedule and conduct on-site inspections of organic businesses to make sure they follow USDA Organic standards.
  • Review clients’ certification applications before the inspections.
  • Verify that clients’ practices match their Organic System Plans during inspections.
  • Inspect areas like production, storage, and equipment, and perform audits and interviews.
  • Write and submit reports after inspections.
  • Do follow-up inspections if there's a need to investigate possible fraud.
  • Collect samples from farms for residue testing.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience with clients in the ag industry.
• Knowledge of State and Federal regulations related to organic programs.
• Ability to work collaboratively with various stakeholders.

Applicants are encouraged to attach a cover letter and resume to their applications. Application materials can be uploaded in the Attachments Section during the application process.

Benefits:

As an employee of IDALS, you are a State of Iowa employee and are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package that includes:

• Paid Time Off: 9 holidays, sick leave, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave.
• Medical Insurance: High-quality coverage with premiums as low as $205.00 per month for family coverage and $61.00 per month for single coverage.
• Dental Insurance: Free for single coverage and $46.00 per month for family coverage.
• Life Insurance: Basic $20,000 policy at no cost, with additional voluntary supplemental life available at a cost, and long-term disability insurance available at no additional cost.
• Exceptional Retirement: Includes IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System), a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K) with a state match of up to $75.00 per month.

To learn more about the benefits of working with the State of Iowa, visit ourbenefits webpage.

E-Verify and Right to Work: The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visitwww.e-verify.gov.

Join us! Apply today!

Join us in our mission to enhance Iowa’s agricultural landscape and contribute to the well-being of our communities. If you are passionate about agriculture and have the skills to drive program success, we encourage you to apply. We also strongly encourage you to upload a cover letter and resume in the attachments section of your application.

Apply now to make a meaningful impact in Iowa's agricultural future!

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in animal science, animal husbandry, animal industry, livestock management, crop production, agricultural law, motor fuels and renewable fuels, or closely related field, and the equivalent of two years' full-time technical experience in livestock inspection, production, auction market, sale barn work, work on an organic farm, motor fuels and renewable fuels or work as an auditor, inspector or compliance investigator with agricultural operations;ORan equivalent combination of any of the above qualifying experience substituting for the required education (on the basis that one year of experience equals 30 semester or equivalent hours of education) with a maximum substitution of four years;ORcertification by the Federal Department of Agriculture as an Agricultural Products Inspector and the equivalent of two years' full-time technical experience in state and federal inspections of livestock feed manufacturing firms;ORcertification as an Organic Inspector by the Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) and one year of experience as an organic inspector;ORemployees with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes the equivalent of two years of full-time experience as a Livestock Inspector, Weights and Measures Inspector, Meat Inspector or a Dairy Product Inspector shall be considered qualified.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.Extensive travel is required for positions in this class. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas.