Agriculture Inspector

Position Overview:

The Agriculture Inspector position is located within the Livestock and Poultry Program of the Animal Industry Division. This position is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, investigating, collecting samples, and other activities for the GDA Livestock and Poultry Program.

Please note:

• The selected applicant must reside in a listed county, surrounding county, or be willing to relocate.
• Employment is contingent upon completion of the USDA Livestock Grading certification within the first six months.
• Work schedule may include some weekends.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Duties include, but are not limited to the following:

• Perform inspections at livestock markets, flea markets, farms, and other locations where livestock, exotics, and/or poultry are gathered.
• Identify clinical signs of livestock disease at markets/farms to ensure disease containment, prevention, and compliance with regulations.
• Responds to animal health complaints and ensures compliance.
• Monitors animal exhibitions/activities for disease detection.
• Collects samples for testing from cattle, swine, sheep, goats, and poultry and routes them to the laboratory for identification and analysis.
• Responds to animal emergencies.
• Issues quarantines and permits, and prepares and submits reports.
• Maintains accurate and detailed work activity records.
• Records all inspections, findings, observations, and field actions on the official database and in compliance with established directives.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Requires shift work, and off days may not necessarily be Saturday and Sunday

Minimum Qualifications:

Vocational or technical degrees in agriculture, horticulture, environmental science, pest control, entomology, or a closely related field from an accredited college; or completion of a high school diploma or GED and one year of experience in assignment; or two years of college which included 12 semester/20 quarter hours in chemistry or life sciences.

Preferred Qualifications and Skills:

Preference will be given to applicants who, in addition to meeting the minimum qualifications, possess knowledge, skills, and abilities in the following areas:

Knowledge of safe working procedures with livestock and poultry. Knowledge of laws and regulations governing the livestock industry. Ability to perform inspections/investigations, follow proper procedures, and issue quarantines on infected and exposed livestock and poultry. Ability to maintain detailed records and prepare activities and monitor reports. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make decisions. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with livestock producers, market owners/operators, local area emergency management coordinators, co-workers, and others involved in animal agriculture. Ability to acquire skills in operating a laptop computer, hand-held data collection device, global positioning system (GPS), and other equipment necessary to perform job duties.

Physical Demands:

Sitting and/or riding for extended periods of time, working with and around large livestock (including large animals), handling of livestock (as needed), lifting of up to 20lbs or more.

Please Note: Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to respond to phone/email inquiries regarding application status. Only candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process will be contacted.

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducts background checks on all final candidates.  The hiring of applicants is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background and criminal records investigations, and motor vehicle reports.