CHIEF BUREAU OF COMMODITY INSPECTION AND GRADING  
  DEFINITION:
  Under direction of the Director and Deputy Director, Division of Dairy  and Commodity Regulation, Department of Agriculture, directs a  Statewide regulatory and service program for fresh and processed  agricultural commodities including standardization, grading,  inspection, and enforcement functions according to applicable laws,  regulations, and agreements; develops and coordinates programs to  increase the economic status of the agricultural industry in New  Jersey; does related work as required.
 NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative  purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform  all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties  performed on the job may not be listed.     EXAMPLES OF WORK:
 Plans, organizes and manages the inspection, grading and regulatory  work programs assigned to the Bureau of Commodity Inspection and  Grading.
 Plans and directs the inspection and grading of agricultural products  and the issuance of various official United States Department of  Agriculture certificates in compliance with State, Federal and foreign  requirements, including shipping point, receiving market,  phytosanitary, export and import transactions and certificates.
 Organizes and directs a third-party audit program offered to growers  and shippers of fresh produce to show buyers that they are growing,  harvesting, packing and handling their product in a safe and sanitary  manner using Good Agricultural Practices and Good Manufacturing  Practices.
 Provides training to division personnel in auditing procedures and  Hazard Analyses Critical Control Points (HACCP) inspections to perform  audits as requested.
 Organizes and directs a State Organic Program under the auspices of  the United States Department of Agriculture's National Organic  Program.
 Establishes and administers agreements made with growers, shippers,  processors, packers, exporters, foreign importers and others for  agricultural commodity inspection and grading services.
 Negotiates the terms of cooperative agreements with Federal agencies;  recommends new laws or changes in laws and regulations for the  inspection and grading of fruit, vegetables, poultry, poultry products  and other commodities.
 Organizes and directs a regulatory and enforcement program for the  marketing of agricultural commodities conforming with applicable laws  and regulations.
 Determines violations and ensures that appropriate administrative or  legal action is taken conforming with laws and regulations.
 Provides expert advice on marketing, inspection, grading and  regulatory matters to the Director, Department head or other industry  related people or firms; serves as an expert witness on such matters  as required.
 Prepares and recommends legislation, regulations, and policies to the  Division Director to improve Bureau programs.
 Develops and maintains a qualified and well-trained staff to  accomplish program objectives.
 Provides for the collection and handling of fees for inspection and  grading services and the establishment of fee schedules for service to  maintain activities on a pay-as-you-go basis.
 Develops and administers State and dedicated fund operating budgets.
 Procures and allocates equipment and materials needed to perform work  assignments.
 Cooperates with the Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of  Weights and Measures, and the Division of Consumer Affairs in  activities of mutual interest.
 Coordinates and participates in State and Federal conferences and  meetings on subjects relating to inspection, grading, and related  topics; cooperates with State and federal Agencies where issues,  problems, and concerns are of mutual interest and benefit.
 Prepares reports and correspondence.
 Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has  responsibility for effectively recommending the hiring, firing,  promoting, demoting, and/or disciplining of employees.
 Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential field and  office records and files.
 Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic  and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency,  office, or related units.
  REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE:Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Eight (8) years of professional experience in the inspection and grading of agricultural commodities, including responsibility for the application of regulations and enforcement activities, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
OR:
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and four (4) years of the above-mentioned professional experience, one (1) year of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
NOTE:"Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
 Knowledge of the trade practices and distribution channels for  agricultural commodities including organic products.
 Knowledge of the Federal standards regarding inspection and grading  laws, regulations, and cooperative agreements.
 Knowledge of the procedures, processes and techniques used to produce,  harvest, handle, package, store, transport and market various kinds of  agricultural commodities.
 Knowledge of distribution patterns of other states and countries  marketing agricultural commodities in New Jersey marketing areas.
 Knowledge of the methods used to conduct audits of agricultural  practices.
 Ability to manage a regulatory and service program for fresh and  processed agricultural commodities.
 Ability to prepare reports and correspondence.
 Ability to supervise the work of field and office staff.
 Ability to supervise the handling and accountability of inspection and  grading fees.
 Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to  specific situations.
 Ability to supervise audit procedures and activities.
 Ability to provide technical advice on bureau programs.
 Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships  with those interested or involved in the work of the unit.
 Ability to supervise the maintenance of records and files.
 Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual  recording and information systems used by the agency, office or  related units.
 Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English  sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign  Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of  communication.
 Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as  they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable  accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation  cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,  such persons may not be eligible.