CDA-Fruit and Vegetable Inspector Temporary Aide

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
• 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!

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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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 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) 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 spb.colorado.gov; contact the State Personnel Board for assistance at; 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 spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

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

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.