Certified Seed Specialist - Two Positions - 0213 and 0209 - Anticipated Vacancies

Location: Presque Isle,Maine,United States

CERTIFIED SEED SPECIALIST

(TWO POSITIONS)

-ANTICIPATED VACANCIES-

Opening Date:

May 15, 2025

Closing Date:

May 30, 2025

Location:

Southern and Central 
Aroostook County

Position #s:

00500-0213
00500-0209

Position Type:

Full Time 

Class Code:

9127

Grade/Salary:

Grade 18 - $19.02 - $26.48 Per Hour

BRIEF JOB DESCRIPTION: These positions are responsible for inspecting potato plants, tubers, and field grains to determine if they meet state certification standards with respect to disease incidence and varietal purity. Inspections are conducted in the field, at harvest time and during shipping of the crops. Additional Duties may include maintaining records of all inspection activities and collecting soil samples to be checked for the presence of destructive pests, and the ability to lift 75 lbs. containers daily.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities Include: 

• Ability to work independently, with limited or no supervision. 
• Ability to inspect Maine seed potatoes during growing season and shipping point for varietal purity, various viral, bacterial and fungal dieseases, and requesting corrective action if found to exceed tolerances set by statutory authority and/or reject from certification. 
• Ability to inspect seed grains for varietal purity, various weeds, fungal and viral diseases, and request corrective action if found to exceed tolerances set by statutory authority and/or reject from certification. 
• Ability to assist Federal State Inspection Service and/or Agricultural Compliance officials when requested. 
• Ability to receive post harvest test samples, sort by varieties and grade, rebag and perform laboratory duties as needed for post-harvest potato virus testing of potato tubers.

For questions specific to the position, please call Megan Patterson, Animal and Plant Health Division Director, at: (207)592-0911.

Preference will be given to candidates that are already an Authorized Certification Official (ACO) authorized by the National Plant Protection Organization and are, or can be, accredited for the signing of phytosanitary certificates by successfully having passed, or passing, an approved examination within two years of their hire date.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Three (3) years of education and experience inspecting and grading seed potatoes and grains.

LICENSING/REGISTRATION/CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: (These must be met by all employees prior to attaining permanent status in this class): Federal USDA/STATE Inspector License or Certification for the products being inspected.

HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "APPLY" button below along with uploading a Cover Letter and a current Resume. In order for us to properly determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for any posting, you must be sure your Resume includes month and year for any experience listed along with the duties and responsibilities associated with each particular time period. Any experience that was not full-time employment should be identified as such. 

If you can't apply online and you require a paper application, please download and print one here: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process. Paper applications for this posting should be submitted along with a Cover Letter and a detailed Resume, before the closing date, to: Natural Resources Service Center, c/o Kristin McCamish, 32 Blossom Lane, Marquardt Building, Augusta, ME 04333-0155. Please be sure that the title, and position number, of the job you are applying for is included.

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No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave. Vacation le