Job Description

The Montana Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a Agriculture Inspector Supervisor located in Great Falls, MT. Open until filled with first review of candidates December 1, 2025.
The Montana Department of Agriculture operates more than 30 programs. These include regulatory programs that protect producers, consumers and the environment, as well as development and marketing programs to foster growth in Montana agriculture. Our agency is serving Montana agriculture and growing prosperity under the Big Sky.
The State Grain Laboratory, located in Great Falls, is responsible for the operation of a statewide grain and commodity inspection program. Accurate and unbiased sampling inspections and testing are performed in compliance with federal and state grain standards. The State Grain Laboratory is the only federally designated, official grain inspection service in the state of Montana. The purpose of official grain inspection is to certify the type and grade of crops for setting market values under federal standards issued by USGA/AMA.
Job Overview:
Provide and direct training plan for all inspection activities. Collecting, testing, and awarding grades for commodity samples using federal grain inspection procedures outlined by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA).

• Supervise staff and assign workflows to promote efficient lab operations.
• Optimize the inspection process flow from initial customer request to final entry into the system.
• Serve as a backup to the Lab Director as needed.

As an Agriculture Inspector Supervisor, you will:

• Collect and observe agricultural or agricultural-related samples ensuring representative sampling following standard operating procedures.
• Inspect samples and compare characteristics (e.g., size, shape, etc.) with standards and tolerance levels.
• Record data pertaining to agricultural samples.
• Respond to general agricultural inquiries.
• Maintain regular communication with growers to assess inspection needs, respond to questions, and provide advice and assistance.
• May prepare samples for analysis following proper protocols to ensure that they will be labeled, stored, prepared, and disposed of efficiently and effectively.
• Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
• Declare quality of products including for conformance to specifications.
• Use and apply federal, state, local, and industry/commodity-specific regulations, procedures, grading standards, and inspections.
• Perform grading functions as a USDA/FGIS-licensed grain inspector for commodities.
• Provide direction to appropriate resources for information about diseased or damaged crops.
• Respond to customers regarding inspection reports including providing rationale for grading decisions and appeals processes.
• May include quality assurance such as insuring samples are processed efficiently and accurately.
• Responsible for all training and testing of inspection and sampling staff.
• Supervise or manage at least 2 FTE.
• Perform management functions, including hiring, firing, performance management, discipline, work distribution, and employee development.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of quality and safety standards for an officially licensed grain Lab.
• Skilled in explaining and demonstrating grading techniques, crop quality problems due to disease, weather, damaged kernels, or bin storage problems and the principles, practices, procedures, and methods of grain inspection.
• Ability to administer the Quality Management Program.
• Knowledge of basic management principles, including strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources, and leadership techniques.
• Ability to motivate, coach, mentor, and build strong relationships within the team, as well as delegate tasks effectively and foster a collaborative environment.
• Skilled in addressing and resolving interpersonal or work-related conflicts calmly and professionally to maintain team harmony and productivity.o Skilled in review and auditing of all aspects impacting quality e.g., controlled documents and records, procedures, equipment, setup standards, calibration, SIMS.
• Ability to assist with customer calls, concerns, and information.
• Strong oral and written skills to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the grain industry, grain producers and the public.
• Ability to create and utilize standardized training procedure documents.
• Skilled in providing hands-on training and On-The-Job training.
• Ability to use Train-The-Trainer techniques with other designated trainers.
• Maintains training logs for all staff.
• Ability to serve as FGIS interface for licensing exams.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Occasional travel for sample collection.
• Occasional outdoor work during inclement weather conditions.
• Works in a laboratory environment.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• High-school diploma or equivalent.
• FGIS & AMA licenses to grade major grains and pulses in Montana.
• 3 years' experience training samplers and inspectors.
• 3 years' experience grading commodities.
• 2 years' experience directly supervising staff.
• Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Other combinations of education or experience may be substituted.

Physical Demands:

• Operate motor vehicle and other job-related equipment.
• Standing, walking, and sitting for long periods of time.
• Occasional climbing of ladders and stairs as high as 25' heights.
• Frequent bending and reaching.
• Ability to lift 50lbs.
• Work stress caused by varying factors such as economics, workload, and environmental.
• Work stress caused by industry opinion, conflicts, and enforcement of governing rules.
• Operate a computer requiring visual acuity necessary to discern details.

Skills Required