Agricultural Technician -State Grain Lab

_To be considered for any Department of Agriculture Agency position, applicants must complete and submit their application online, as well as upload any required application materials. Successful applicant(s) are required to successfully pass all Department of Agriculture specific background check(s) relevant to each position. _ ** ** ** (Please type any applicable or required supplemental responses in a Word document and attach to your application. HELPFUL HINT: when attaching you must check the relevant document box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application. PLEASE do not attach more than requested. If you have more than 25 attachments in the system you will need to email these to: ChandraLutz@mt.gov failure to do so will conclude in an incomplete application.)** The State Grain Laboratory (State Grain Lab or Lab), located in Great Falls and Plentywood, MT, is responsible for the operation of a statewide grain and commodity inspection program. The Lab provides official grain and commodity inspection services to grain producers and the grain industry as provided for in Title 80, Chapter 4, Part 87, MCA, and under a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Federal Grain Inspection Service (USDA/FGIS). Accurate and unbiased official grade/protein inspections and laboratory tests are performed in compliance with federal and state grain standards. The State Grain Laboratory is the only USDA/FGIS designated official grain inspection service in the state of Montana. The purpose of official grain inspection is to determine the type and quality of Montana grown grain and crops, which in turn sets their market value. The State Grain Laboratory has an opening for a permanent Agricultural Technician that could be trained to become an official grain and commodity inspector. Laboratory Technician Duties** ** Performs laboratory technician duties as required including sampling, sample preparation, moisture analysis, dockage testing, test weight, sizing, falling numbers, germination of barley, mycotoxin analysis and Near Infra-Red Transmission (NIRT) protein testing using knowledge of laboratory operations and equipment and USDA/FGIS standards, guidelines and manuals for all technician work and knowledge of USDA/FGIS standards, guidelines and manuals for NIRT protein analyzer. ** ** **_Other Duties as Assigned _ ** Performs other duties as assigned by the State Grain Lab Bureau Chief and/or the State Grain Lab Quality Assurance Specialist. **Physical and Environmental Demands: ** Ability to endure considerable work stress caused by irregular work demands resulting from a variety of factors which may include economy, weather, workload, etc. The State Grain Laboratory has a peak work season starting at the end of July and lasting until early January. During these months, employees may be asked to work 10 hours a day, seven days per week in order to provide timely service to their customers. The incumbent is exposed to discomforts and physical annoyances, such as noise, fumes, grain and flour dust and other conditions that soil clothing and may cause chronic injury requiring medical attention. Incumbent is required to lift 25 lb. + grain samples and boxes on a daily basis. Sampling is performed outdoors. Incumbent must be able to lift and carry in excess of 50 pounds and manually insert a 12 foot probe into 12 feet of compacted grain and pull probe out in order to obtain representative sample. Incumbent must climb on top of railcars, hopper cars and trucks to sample with probe. Work is often performed during adverse weather conditions. This position will require overtime and possibly a weekend work schedule. Seeking individual with a strong work ethic and a valid drivers license. The department will perform a background check on all candidates. Successful candidates could be eligible to complete a training assignment that will allow them to be familiar with all aspects of official grade and laboratory tests that are performed for state and federal grain standards. **Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (Behaviors): ** **** Detailed knowledge of the principles, practices and procedures of the grain inspection profession to perform grain inspection on wheat. Knowledge of agricultural seed taxonomy, crop diseases, weed seed identification, and insects injurious to stored grain. Knowledge of the character?istics and common defects of wheat. Ability to identify wheat varieties for proper classification and certification. Ability to operate NIRT protein analyzer and perform NIRT testing. ? Knowledge of all technician operations (weighing, sample breakdown, separating chaff, measuring moisture content, germinations, mycotoxin and falling numbers) and operation of scales, Carter dockage machine, UGMA 2500 moisture meter, Seedburo test weight apparatus, Eureka mustard dockage machine, and Falling Numbers machine. Knowledge of USDA/FGIS guidelines for performing technician operations. ?? Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees. Knowledge of USDA/FGIS and State safety stan?dards and their applications to daily operations. Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience): * High School diploma or equivalent * 1-2 years of job related experience. **Primary Location: **Great Falls **Work Locations: ** **Job: **Agricultural/Livestock Sciences **Organization: **State of Montana **Job Posting: **Jun 27, 2018, 10:30:26 PM **Closing Date: **Ongoing **Shift: **Day Job **Travel: **Yes, 5 % of the Time