Overview
DEPT OF AGRICULTURE
The Mission of our Agency is to protect the health and safety of Arizona consumers, advance and support Arizona agriculture, and safeguard commerce.
Supporting farming, ranching, and agribusiness in Arizona by protecting plants and animals, issuing agriculture and environmental licenses, inspecting farming practices, and overseeing commerce standards and measurement devices.
Job Summary
The Arizona Department of Agriculture Citrus Fruit and Vegetable Division is currently recruiting for a Training Officer 1 to assist the Training Officer 2 in Nogales, Arizona. The Citrus Fruit and Vegetable Standardization program monitors and enforces the quality standards for all fresh fruit and vegetables produced and marketed in Arizona.
Responsibilities
- Conduct training of full‑time and seasonal staff in‑house and in the field on inspection policies, procedures, and commodity‑specific food safety guidelines.
- Maintain all training records for permanent and seasonal staff members.
- Assist Program Managers in completing required USDA program evaluation forms.
- Travel as needed for training or assistance with the USDA program.
- Conduct inspections pertaining to import requirements and marketing orders/agreements for fruits and vegetables.
- Apply official USDA standards or contract specifications to determine product grade and/or quality & condition.
- Perform shipping‑point inspections, destination‑market inspections, and other inspection points; issue certificates. Work product consists of inspections completed; responsible for conducting inspections in a timely, efficient, and professional manner.
- Report all BIQMS audit observations and inspection findings.
- Interpret federal and/or state standards for commodities inspected and enforce compliance with state and federal laws or marketing orders pertaining to packing inspection, labeling, and sizing.
- May be called upon by the USDA to conduct training in other states.
- Drive a state vehicle and perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Knowledge of federal, state, and agency laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing inspection activities, safety practices, and public relations.
- Knowledge of inspection standards, enforcement guidelines, administrative activities, training strategies, and employee training trends.
- Skills in applying and interpreting laws, rules, regulations, and policies governing inspection activities, safety practices, and public relations.
- Reading and interpreting shipping‑point and destination‑market inspection policies and procedures, and commodity‑specific food safety guidelines.
- Collecting information through interviewing, listening, observing, and reviewing documents, records, and data.
- Contributing to BIQMS audit findings that are evidence‑based and within the scope of the audit; coordinating the execution of training programs; planning and organization.
Preferred Qualifications
- 5+ years of fresh produce inspection experience.
- 3+ years of training experience.
- Experience maintaining a training manual.
- Managerial experience.
- USDA Qualified Training Provider certification.
Pre‑Employment Requirements
- Current Arizona driver’s license.
- USDA Destination Market License FV‑201 (10‑97) Restricted or Unrestricted.
- All newly hired state employees must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E‑Verify).
Benefits
- Sick leave.
- Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year.
- Paid parental leave – up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly‑placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
- Health and dental insurance.
- Retirement plan – participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Current contribution rate is 12.00%; enrollment effective after 27 weeks of employment.
- Life insurance and long‑term disability insurance.
- Optional employee benefits include short‑term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance.
Contact Information
For questions, contact Melissa Meek. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity / Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
Job Details
Salary: 24.7086 – 24.7086; Grade: 19; Closing Date: 11/21/2025; Employment Type: Full‑Time; Vacancy: 1.
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