Brand Clerk - Animal Services

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

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 agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The WSDA Animal Services Division is dedicated to protecting the health and economic vitality of our livestock industry. The Livestock Identification Program aids in that mission by providing asset protection for the livestock industry by recording brands, licensing feedlots and public livestock markets, and by conducting surveillance and inspection of livestock at time of sale and upon out of state movement.
As the Brand Clerkwithin the Livestock Identification Program, you will assist with completing change of ownership transactions at Washington's Licensed public livestock markets. This position works at the Toppenish Livestock Commission (TLC) in Toppenish, WA on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays as well as the first Friday of every month. In addition, the Brand Clerk works assigned special sales at the TLC and other public livestock markets on an occasional basis.

Position and Salary Information

WSDA is recruiting for a non-permanent part-time Brand Clerk position within the Animal Services Division. This position is approved for a Home Duty Station and must be located in Benton, Kittitas, Klickitat, or Yakima county, Washington. This position is represented by Washington Federation of State Employees.

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: $16.12 Step A - $20.80 Step L 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.
• 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.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

• Create Public Livestock Market sale record in an electronic inspection application (ELID) using a mobile platform (IPAD). Market record information includes market name, sale date, USDA back tags used, livestock inspectors assigned to the sale, and all associated livestock inspection fees.
• Market Intake - Enter consignor and livestock information into the ELID application using information from paper master sheets created by the brand inspector(s).
• Cross check to intake ensure information on the haul slips and proof of ownership
  documents matches the information in the intake side of the market sale in ELID.
• Assist brand inspector in uploading scanned RFID tags to the ELID software application.
• Conduct ownership inspections of livestock when offered for sale or prior to
  movement out of state.
• Create records of all inspections and work-related activities on a daily basis.
• Collect livestock inspection fees from customers and remits those fees to the
  WSDA main office in Olympia.
• Visually inspect livestock for brands at sales yards, feedlots, slaughter plants,
  pastures, receiving stations, and in transport to verify ownership and to ensure
  compliance with the livestock identification regulations.
• Issue brand inspection certificates using a mobile electronic device (Apple iPad)
  to purchaser of livestock and inspects livestock back tags for proof of positive
  ownership and for brand verification at sales yards.
• Impound livestock or proceeds of the sale of livestock if the consignor does not
  provide sufficient proof of ownership at the time of sale.
• Engage with the public in explaining livestock inspection regulations, WSDA
  policies and procedures regarding the Livestock Identification Program.

Required Education and Experience:

• High School graduation or equivalent
• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid Washington State driver's license.
• Must be able to work outdoors and under all weather conditions in close proximity to sometimes dangerous livestock.

Desired Qualifications:

• Three years of full-time experience in raising, transporting, selling or slaughtering livestock or in brand inspection.
• Have working knowledge of electronic devices (Apple iPad and iPhone) and experience with Microsoft Office Suite.

How to apply:
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

· Current resume detailing experience and education

· A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.
Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.
If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Department of Agriculture celebrates our differences. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, genetics, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

We believe in the importance of recognizing the value each of us contribute to the success of the agency mission. Having a diverse workforce is this agency's greatest resource of strength and knowledge. It is through the combination of talents and abilities that we can pursue finding effective measures to provide the best customer service. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace for everyone and we strongly mean everyone.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.
Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

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.

Employment Type: Part Time - Non-Permanent