Usda Fruit Vegetables Inspector Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $16.22 - $22.97 Hourly
Location : San Luis Valley, CO
Job Type: Temporary (9 months or less)
Job Number: BAA-09351-06082026
Department: Department of Agriculture
Division: Inspection & Consumer Services Division
Opening Date: 07/28/2026
Closing Date: 10/7/2026 4:59 PM Mountain
FLSA: Determined by Position
Primary Physical Work Address: 735 2nd Ave, Monte Vista CO 81144
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; position is eligible for overtime compensation.
Type of Announcement: This is a temporary position. Applications will be considered from residents and non-residents of Colorado.
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: P 303.869.9014 I C 720.653.4267 I F 303.466.2867 305 Interlocken Parkway, Broomfield, CO 80021nicholas.kaiser@state.co.us I www.colorado.gov/ag
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. Colorado's food and agriculture industry generated $47 billion of economic activity in 2019 and supports nearly 5% of the state's workforce. CDA is proud to be a part of such an important industry.
Mission:
The CDA's mission is to strengthen and advance Colorado's 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 four "wildly important goals:"

• Goal 1: Advancing Local Food Access
• Goal 2: Expanding Water-Resilient Agriculture
• Goal 3: Supporting the Next Generation in Agriculture
• Goal 4: Advancing Animal Health and Welfare

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 ()
• 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
This recruitment will be used to fill multiple vacancies. This is a Temporary Aide Position - limited to a duration not to exceed 9 months. This is a great opportunity to learn the position in preparation for applying for future permanent vacancies that offer a full menu of benefits.
Work Unit:
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).
Duties:
Operates and maintains personal motor vehicle for transportation to and from various fresh produce production I 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. Compares defective and off size product with appropriate scoring guidelines. Works under close supervision to become fully competent in inspection work.
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. Sharpens knives as needed. When required by customer's safety standards, employee is required to wear ear plugs, bump cap, safety glasses. Keeps up with licensing requirements of USDA license.
Assists customers of inspection requests by explaining/interpreting and applying the appropriate guidelines based on the customers request. Figure and bill customer based on contract or non-contract rates. Resolves customer discrepancies in a professional manner.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
Minimum Requirements:
None
Preferred Qualifications (be sure to list these on your application if applicable)

• Full-time work experience in any of the following areas: inspection; auditing; quality assurance work; food safety; or agricultural work that is closely related to the job duties.
• High School Diploma or GED;
• Good organizational skills;
• Ability to work well with others and communicate effectively both in writing and verbally;
• Good visual comparison skills;
• Good math skills.

Conditions of Employment:

• Must have and maintain a Colorado driver's license to accomplish the travel requirements of this position.
• Complete MVR (Motor Vehicle Report) due to the new state driving policy that took effect March 31, 2025
• 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.

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.

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:If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.
An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email (), postmarked in US Mail or hand delivered (1525 Sherman Street, 4th Floor, Denver CO 80203), or faxed (303.866.5038) within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgement of the department's action.
For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board; go to ; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at (303) 866-3300; or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at under Rules.
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 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 applicat