Organic Certification Specialist
An Organic Certification Specialist assesses and verifies the organic integrity of agricultural products, ensuring they meet specific standards for organic labeling.
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Sample Job Descriptions for Organic Certification Specialist
Below are the some sample job descriptions for the different experience levels, where you can find the summary of the role, required skills, qualifications, and responsibilities.
Junior (0-2 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
An Organic Certification Specialist is responsible for overseeing and facilitating the certification process for farms and production facilities to ensure compliance with organic standards. They work closely with producers to maintain and verify adherence to organic practices, handling documentation, inspections, and certification renewals.
Required Skills
- Understanding of the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Analytical skills to assess compliance with organic certification requirements.
- Customer service orientation.
- Time management skills to handle multiple certification processes efficiently.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in agriculture, environmental science, or a related field.
- Knowledge of organic farming practices and standards.
- Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
- Basic proficiency with office software and data management systems.
Responsibilities
- Assist in the processing of organic certification applications and renewal documentation.
- Conduct desk reviews of organic system plans and supporting documents.
- Coordinate with clients to schedule inspections and ensure prompt and accurate compliance.
- Provide customer support and guidance concerning organic certification processes and standards.
- Maintain accurate records of certification activities and client communication.
- Participate in training sessions to stay updated on industry regulations and standards.
- Support the preparation of reports and summaries for certification committee review.
Intermediate (2-5 years of experience)
Summary of the Role
As an Organic Certification Specialist, you will be responsible for ensuring that organic products meet all necessary standards and certifications. Your role will involve the inspection of organic farms and facilities, reviewing documentation and processes, and providing guidance to producers on compliance with organic regulations.
Required Skills
- Knowledge of organic farming practices and principles.
- Familiarity with the National Organic Program (NOP) and other relevant certification programs.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in record-keeping and reporting.
- Capability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion.
- Good inter-personal and customer service skills.
- Ability to navigate contentious situations and provide constructive feedback.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in agriculture, environmental science, food science, or a related field.
- 2-5 years of experience in organic certification, agricultural inspection, or a related field.
- Knowledge of organic production and handling standards, as well as relevant federal and state regulations.
- Experience conducting farm and facility inspections and audits.
- Strong attention to detail and ability to assess compliance against a set of complex standards.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and manage a workload that involves travel to inspection sites.
Responsibilities
- Conducting on-site inspections of organic farms and processing facilities to ensure compliance with organic standards.
- Reviewing and verifying documentation related to organic certification, including production and handling plans.
- Assessing the use of agricultural inputs and materials to guarantee that they meet organic certification requirements.
- Working with producers and processors to develop and implement corrective actions when non-compliance is identified.
- Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of organic regulations and standards, both at the national and international levels.
- Providing technical support and training to producers, processors, and other stakeholders regarding organic certification processes and requirements.
- Preparing and presenting detailed inspection reports and certification documents.
- Participating in the development of certification standards and contributing to continuous improvement initiatives.
Senior (5+ years of experience)
Summary of the Role
A Senior Organic Certification Specialist is responsible for overseeing the certification process of organic products, ensuring compliance with local, national, and international organic standards. The specialist will guide producers through the certification process, conduct audits, and maintain records of organic certification activities.
Required Skills
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational and project management abilities.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Proficiency in data management and record-keeping software.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in agriculture, environmental science, or a related field.
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in organic certification or related field.
- Strong understanding of national and international organic standards.
- Experience in conducting on-site inspections and audits.
- Knowledge of organic agriculture practices and principles.
Responsibilities
- Evaluate and process applications for organic certification.
- Conduct on-site inspections to verify adherence to organic standards.
- Collaborate with producers to develop organic system plans.
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of organic regulations and standards.
- Train and supervise junior certification staff and inspectors.
- Review and analyze organic product labels for compliance.
- Prepare detailed reports and documentation for certification decisions.
- Liaise with regulatory bodies and accreditation organizations.
- Facilitate the resolution of non-compliance issues and appeals.
- Develop and conduct workshops and training sessions on organic standards.
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