CDA- Fruit and Vegetable Inspector (Technician I)

CDA- Fruit and Vegetable Inspector (Technician I)

Salary

$20.32 - $24.38 Hourly

Location

San Luis Valley, CO

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

BAA-00140-08182026

Department

Department of Agriculture

Division

Inspection & Consumer Services Division

Opening Date

08/18/2026

Closing Date

8/27/2026 11:59 PM Mountain

FLSA

Determined by Position

Type of Announcement

This position is open only to Colorado state residents.

Primary Physical Work Address

Monte Vista, CO 81144, USA

FLSA Status

Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.

How To Apply

Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.

Department Contact Information

Nicholas Kaiser Human Resource Specialist III P 303.869.9014 I C 720.653.4267 I F 303.466.2867 305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield, CO 80021 nicholas.kaiser@state.co.us I www.colorado.gov/ag

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Department Information

Who we are:

Agriculture is a part of all our lives. When you eat, put on clothes, or care for an animal--your life is touched by agriculture. Colorados food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the states workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.

Mission:

The CDAs mission is to strengthen and advance Colorados agriculture; promote a safe and high-quality food supply; protect consumers; and foster responsible stewardship of the environment.

Core Values: Partnership, Service, Professionalism, Proactivity, and Respect

CDA Wildly Important Goals:

To accomplish our mission, CDA focuses on five "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Expanding National and International Market Access

• Goal 2: Developing Agricultural Leaders

• Goal 3: Advancing the Colorado Water Plan

• Goal 4: Implementing the Beaver Strategy

• Goal 5: Providing Education on Animal Mistreatment and Livestock Theft

We use these goals to focus and align the daily work of our staff in support of Colorado farmers and ranchers. Learn more about our Department and our wildly important goals in our performance plan on our website.

What you get from us:

In addition to a great work location and rewarding and meaningful work, we offer:

• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including aPERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined Contribution Plan plus optional 401(k) and 457 plans (www.copera.org)
• Medical and dental health plans (https://stateofcoloradobenefits.com/)
• Employer supplemented Health Savings Account ($60 per month)
• Paid life insurance, plus additional optional life insurance options
• Paid Short Term Disability and optional Long Term Disability coverage
• 11 paid holidays per year plus generous vacation and sick leave accruals
• BenefitHub state employee discount program
• Employee Wellness program State of Health
• Excellent work-life programs, such as flexible schedules, remote work opportunities, free parking, professional development and more!

To learn about the total compensation package for State government employment visit: https://www.colorado.gov/dhr/totalcompensation

Equal Opportunity

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

We believe that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

Learn more about our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion by visiting our EDI Homepage: https://dpa.colorado.gov/about-us/edi.

Description of Job

Organizational Purpose:

This work unit exists to provide inspection, upon request, for commercial shipments of fruits and vegetables, as mandated by state law; issuing federal inspection certificates documenting quality (grade).

Major Objectives of the Position:

Position will be trained to work independently in the sampling and inspection of fruit and vegetables. Drives personal vehicle (mileage is reimbursed) to inspection sites to inspect fruit and vegetables to determine quality, grade, and condition; calculates percentage of sample size and tolerance of defects in samples; keeps a log of samples taken and maintains inspection records; issues inspection certificates showing classification or grade. Position will need to have and maintain a valid drivers license to complete the requirements of the job.

Duties are as follows:

Inspections:

• Operate and maintain personal motor vehicle for transportation to and from various fresh produce production / handling areas statewide, to
• Physically inspect fruits and vegetables by drawing samples in buckets. This requires climbing ladders, reaching, and lifting samples and weighing them.
• Examines the sample for quality, condition, and size by weighing, cutting, and visually looking at produce specimens.

Record keeping/ Equipment Upkeep:

• Records data by hand onto inspection report and calculates sums and percentages using basic math skills.
• Issues written official federal certificates to describe and certify quality, size and condition of produce being inspected.
• Keeps inspection manuals and handbooks up to date and in working order.
• Calibrates scale by adjusting it to zero.
• Sharpen knives as needed.
• When required by customers safety standards, employee is required to wear ear plugs. bump cap; safety glasses.
• Keeps up with licensing requirements of USDA license.

Customer Service:

• Assists customers of inspection requests by explaining/interpreting and applying the appropriate guidelines based on the customer's request.
• Figure and bill customer based on contract or non-contract rates.
• Resolves customer discrepancies in a professional manner.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

Must be a Colorado resident at the time of application.

This posting will be used to fill more than one vacancy.

Skills-based Hiring:

This position is advertised in alignment with Executive Order 2022-015, Skills-Based Hiring. Recruitment for this position recognizes that skills can be developed through various pathways, including formal education, work experience, volunteering, self-directed learning, and other life experiences, opening doors to individuals from varied backgrounds. Those with relevant experience but without traditional credentials are welcome to apply!

Salary Range:

HOURLY

$20.32 - $24.38

Minimum Requirements:

Proven Experience, Knowledge, Skills:

• One (1) year of full-time work experience in any of the following.

• Inspection

• Auditing

• Quality assurance work

• Food safety

• Agricultural work that is closely related to the job duties.

• Must possess or have possessed a USDA Authorization Card (FV-200, FV-201, etc.) within the past 60 months. Verification/proof of possession must be submitted with your application materials.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Colorado State service experience related to the duties of this position.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must be an in-state resident of Colorado.
• Must have and maintain a Colorado drivers license to accomplish the travel requirements of this position. (A copy of your current driving record must be provided at the time of interview. Driving record can be obtained through your local Department of Motor Vehicle.)
• Requires current or previous USDA Inspection Card (FV-200, FV-201, etc.) within the past 60 months. Verification/proof of possession must be submitted with your application materials. This information should also include dates of possession, commodities licensed to inspect and the State in which license was held.
• Requires the ability to distinguish color variations.
• Requires the ability to lift up to 60 pounds on a regular basis.
• Requires working indoors and outside as needed in inclement weather that could include hot, cold, wet, humid, and/ or windy conditions.
• Inspectors are required to reside in the San Luis Valley area. Positions are located in the San Luis Valley but employees may be assigned temporarily to a different location in the state during certain times of the year.
• Employees must occasionally work overtime, weekends, and holidays

Required Competencies:

• Technical expertise in fruit and vegetable inspection
• Ability to prioritize.
• Ability to work well with both internal and external customers.
• Computer and cell phone skills
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and juggle multiple priorities, and able to react and adjust quickly to changing conditions.
• Detail oriented.
• Work well under pressure.
• Excellent negotiation and consensus building skills.
• Highly resourceful team-player, with the ability to also be extremely effective independently.

Important Information:

Part of, or the entire selection process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials. Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application, you describe the extent that you possess the education, experience and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the special and/or preferred qualifications. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Please submit the following:

• Online application (completed fully) describing how you meet the minimum qualifications
• OR If you are not able to submit an online application, a paper application is available at this link: PDF State Paper Application. Paper applications must be received (either by US mail or email to mary.hunt@state.co.us by the closing date and time of the application period listed on this announcement.
• DD214 (if applicable)
• Unofficial copy of transcripts (if applicable)

Factors that will be assessed:

• Technical Competence - Technical experience as it relates to the duties outlined in this job announcement.
• Depth and Breadth of Experience - Experience that covers multiple areas outlined in this job announcement. Experience should be varied and not one dimensional and demonstrate a wide range of community involvement.
• Job Fit - Experience will be evaluated to determine how well your past experience aligns with and meets the business needs of this position. Current experience is preferred.

APPEAL RIGHTS:

As an applicant who has been removed from consideration during the selection or comparative analysis process, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board and/or request a review by the State Personnel Director. A standard appeal form is available on the State Personnel Board website, https://spb.colorado.gov/forms-and-filing. If you appeal, your appeal must be submitted in writing on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative, and received at the following address within ten (10) days of your receipt of this notice: Colorado State Personnel Board/State Personnel Director, Attn: Appeals Processing, 1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver, CO 80203. Fax: 303-866-5038. Phone: 303-866-3300. Email address: dpa_state.personnelboard@state.co.us. The ten-day deadline and these appeal procedures also apply to all charges of discrimination. Refer to Chapters 4 and 8 of the State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures, 4 CCR 801, for information about the appeals process. The State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures are available at spb.colorado.gov.

Supplemental Information

Important Information:

Part of, or the entire exam for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application material. Applications are considered complete and accurate at the time of submission. Therefore, additional information may not be solicited or accepted after your application has been received. Therefore, it is very important that you clearly describe all of your relevant experience on the application itself. Applications left blank or marked "SEE RESUME" will not be considered.

All applications that are received by the closing date of this announcement will be reviewed against the Minimum Qualifications in this announcement by a Human Resources Specialist. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications may proceed to the next step. Colorado Revised Statutes require that state employees are hired and promoted based on merit and fitness through a comparative analysis process.

ADAAA Accommodations:

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact by phone or email at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.

The Department of Agriculture is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to Mary Hunt, at mary.hunt@state.co.us or call 303-869-9006.

E-Verify

CDA uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (e.g. uploading or attaching documents to your online application) call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627 Mon-Fri between 6 am and 6 pm (Pacific Time). Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files and second, close the document before you attempt upload (attach) it.

The State of Colorado offers permanent employees a variety of benefits including medical, dental, life and disability insurance, as well as a comprehensive leave program. Please click the following link for detailed information: www.colorado.gov/pacific/dhr/benefits

Please note that each agencys contact information is different; therefore, we encourage all applicants to view the full, official job announcement which includes contact information and class title. Select the job you wish to view, then click on the "Print" icon.

01

Are you aware that this announcement is to fill vacancies in the San Luis Valley area and that once hired, the expectation will be to live within or near this area?

• Yes
• No

02

Do you currently or have you in the past 60 months possessed a USDA Inspection Card? If so, please ensure you attach copy to your application prior to submittal.

• Yes
• No

03

Are you a previous state of Colorado employee?

• Yes
• No

04

If yes to the previous question what is your employee ID #

Required Question

Employer State of Colorado

Address See the full announcement by clicking

the "Printer" icon located above the job title

Location varies by announcement, Colorado, --

Website https://careers.colorado.gov/