Agriculture Specialist 1-3

Job #AHFS-50674751-8.26.26-TW This position is located within the office of Animal Health & Food Safety, Food Distribution Division, in Rapides Parish. The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is looking for dedicated professionals—apply today and make a difference. Food Distribution division is responsible for the administration and management of four federally funded nutrition programs: USDA National School Lunch Program (NSLP), USDA Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), USDA Summer Food Service Program (SFSP), food assistance during a federally declared disaster (DA). As an Agriculture Specialist (Field Inspector) , you will support Louisiana’s food safety and public health efforts by inspecting, reviewing, monitoring, and auditing the USDA food programs located in the central portion of the state encompassing approximately 16 parishes. This position requires regular interaction with facility managers, program administrators, warehouse personnel, volunteers, and other stakeholders throughout an assigned geographic area. Supervision for this position is received from the Agriculture Assistant Division Director. Selected Core Competencies: Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to follow, reinforce, adapt, or develop policies and procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state legal requirements, State Civil Service rules, and organizational policies. Learning Actively: The ability to pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance. Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning. Selected Preferred Competencies: Displaying Professionalism: The ability to uphold workplace standards through consistent conduct, responsible communication, and consideration for others. Thinking Critically: The ability to analyze information objectively, identify connections across sources, and form logical, well-supported conclusions. LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household. Three years of experience in one or a combination of the following: 1. Administrative services 2. Inspecting or enforcing compliance with agricultural laws, rules, or regulations 3. Inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices OR A bachelor’s degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental, health, or physical science, or an information technology, mathematics, or business field. The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here . Job Duties: Identify compliance issues, communicate required corrective actions, conduct follow-up activities when necessary, and document inspection findings and resolutions. Develops annual review plans and conducts comprehensive audits of USDA Food Program recipient agencies, including schools, correctional facilities, commodity distribution agencies, and commercial warehouses. Evaluates program operations for compliance with federal regulations, state standards, contractual requirements, and corrective action mandates. Oversees USDA food distribution activities within an assigned region, assessing agency needs, inventory controls, food losses, and fiscal accountability. Maintains the USDA Food Request Changes database and evaluates recipient agency food requirements to support effective resource allocation. Inspects commercial warehouse operations to ensure compliance with USDA, state, and contractual standards. Reviews agency agreements and recommends renewals, approvals, and appropriate fiscal actions for noncompliance. Provides technical assistance, administrative guidance, training, and improvement plans to recipient agencies to strengthen program operations and compliance. Collaborates with USDA, FDA, LDH, Department of Corrections, and other state and federal partners to resolve program, regulatory, and food safety concerns. Develops and delivers training, workshops, and instructional resources on food storage, quality control, inventory management, and administrative procedures. Participates in emergency disaster assistance and maintains effective time and travel management across an extensive inspection territory. Other duties as assigned. Functional Requirements: Moderate light lifting Environmental Factors: Working indoors and occasionally outdoors Exposed to variance in ambient temperatures from -10°F to +100°F Position-Specific Details: Appointment Type: Job Appointment (up to four years). Career Progression : This position may be filled as an Agriculture Specialist 1, 2, or 3, depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s). Compensation : *Below positions have a Special Entrance Rate in the Career Progression Group* Agriculture Specialist 1 has an SER of $1,538.47 Bi-weekly. Agriculture Specialist 2 has an SER of $1,646.40 Bi-weekly. The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and State as a Model Employer (SAME) to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace. How To Apply: No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy. To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page. * Information to support your eligibility for this job title must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections on your application. Applications may be rejected if incomplete. For further information about this vacancy, contact: Tiffany Waddell - HR Analyst Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry 5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001 Baton Rouge, LA 70806 twaddell@ldaf.state.la.us The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment a nd discrimination on the on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.