Hops Grader Jobs

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The Chemical and Hop Laboratory supports several agency programs by analyzing samples taken in investigations of alleged pesticide misuse and analyzing feed and fertilizer samples. The program monitors for pesticide residues in food and dairy products. The laboratory also carries out physical grading and chemical analysis of the hop crop to ensure orderly international and domestic marketing.

WSDA is recruiting for multiple full-time non-permanent Hop Grader positions within the Plant Protection Division. These positions are located in Yakima, Washington and are not union represented positions.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $20.33 Step G hourly.

Employees who voluntarily provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 booster vaccination, which must include any recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at the time proof is provided to the employer, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $1,000 to be paid no earlier than July 25, 2023.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.

Some of what you will do:

• Must be able to successfully pass the USDA Acts and Regulations Test and technician test.
• Split samples for seed and leaf/stem processing.
• Cut down hops to size.
• Sort through hops.
• Seed area work involves a 120 degree oven - moving product into and out of oven, crushing product into powder and using hands to crush material.
• Hold buckets chest level to sift material into divider.
• Log weight.
• Sort though buckets of material and remove waste material.
• Input precise hours worked into PISCES timekeeping system.
• Dividing samples-
  • Hold buckets chest level to sift material into divider.
  • Split samples for seed and leaf/stem processing.
• Composting samples -
  • Push samples out of cores.
  • Sort through hops.
  • Cut down hops to size.
  • Log weight.
  • Sort though buckets of material and remove waste material.
• Push samples out of cores.

Required:

• Demonstrated ability to follow directions and quickly develop positive relationships with customers and co-workers; must be able to work individually or in a group.
• Some skill with math, sufficient to understand and determine percentages is necessary.
• Must be able to lift large plastic bins at a minimum 20 pounds at chest height to sort hops repeatedly.
• Must be able to sit or stand for long periods of time.
• Must have visual acuity (ability to see well and close up) to visually sort hops and be able to pass a color blindness test.
• Must be able to work in a fast paced, loud, and labor intensive environment; work is indoors in an air conditioned laboratory setting that can sometimes be very dusty and dirty.
• Must be able to maintain reliable attendance for the short appointment period of six to eight weeks.
• Must have manual dexterity and the ability to use hands for fine manipulation of tweezers to sort hops as well as to work sorting equipment; must have the strength to apply pressure to lock sorting pans into place.

• Must be able to work long hours each day and work weekends for the duration of the appointment period, which averages six to eight weeks.
• Must be able to successfully pass the USDA Acts & Regulation Test as well as demonstrate an understanding of sampling percentages.
• Must be able to work directly with hops.

• Three professional references

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.