Salary : $3,181.00 - $5,724.00 Monthly
Location : Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: AHFS -50561553-9.14.26-JDG
Department: DAF-Agriculture and Forestry
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/28/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
This job appointment position is located within the office of Animal Health & Food Safety - Food Quality Services (FQS) Program in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Are you passionate about protecting public health by inspecting food, enforcing quality regulations, and ensuring consumers receive only safe, wholesome products? The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is looking for dedicated professionals-apply today and make a difference.
The LDAF Produce Safety Program regulates compliance and enforcement of the Produce Safety Rule. As an Agriculture Specialist, you will support Louisiana's food safety and public health efforts by inspecting produce (fruit and vegetable) farms, promoting the LDAF Produce Safety Program and educating farmers and growers across the state.
AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:
Minimum Qualifications
Three years of experience in one or a combination of the following:
1. Administrative services
2. Inspecting or enforcing compliance with agricultural laws, rules, or regulations
3. Inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices
OR
A bachelor's degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental, health, or physical science, or an information technology, mathematics, or business field.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
This job appointment position is located within the Office of Animal Health and Food Safety. The Food Safety office is comprised of the Meat and Poultry (MPI), Poultry & Eggs(P&E), and the Food Quality Services (FQS) Programs. The FQS program has a cooperative agreement with the FDA Office of Partnerships to implement the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR). This position receives supervision from the classified FSMA Produce Safety Program Manager and will perform Fruit and Vegetable regulatory inspections under the guidance of the Produce Safey Program as needed.
-LDAF Produce Safety Program regulates compliance and enforcement of the Produce Safety Rule. This includes promoting the program and educating farmers and growers across the state. Travel is required in state and out of state. The employee inspects produce farms (fruit & vegetables) to ensure that all FDA regulations are followed in relation to the FSMA PSR. Incumbent collects business data during produce farm visits to accurately account for inventory of all produce farms in the state that grow and sell to the public.
-Issues inspection reports and compliance letters as needed, keep files up to date as required and work with appropriate FDA supervision as required by the Federal/State cooperative agreement. Assist in training farmers and growers throughout the state. Completes training requirements necessary for continuing education and/or maintaining employment certifications.
-Assist the Program Manager with coordinating and participating in education and outreach activities related to the grant, including traveling, attending events, and training various stakeholders on topics related to the FSMA PSR.
-Coordinate and participate in trade shows, conferences, or promotional activities. Responsible for assisting in ordering and organizing supplies and promotional items needed for marketing. Submits print requests and maintains an inventory of property.
-Participates in emergency response training such as traceback investigations, sampling, and other trainings related to outbreaks in fresh produce or natural disasters that affect food safety.
Functional Requirements
• Reaching above shoulders
• Light to moderate lifting, 20 pounds with the occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional bending or kneeling
• Sit over a long period of time at workstation or in a vehicle for travel.
Environmental Factors
• Working indoors and outdoors
• Occasional excessive heat and humidity
• Slippery and uneven walking surfaces
• Occasionally working in moderately cold temperatures for short periods of time
• Working in cold temperatures for short periods of time
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: Full-time, Job Appointment (up to four (4) years)Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Agriculture Specialist 1, 2 or 3 ,depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s).Compensation:
*This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER):
Agriculture Specialist 1 has an SER of $19.23 per hour.
Agriculture Specialist 2 has an SER of $20.58 per hour.
LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.
Location: This position is located inEast Baton Rouge Parish.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.
All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening.
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
Jennifer Ginn
Human Resources Supervisor
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
jginn@ldaf.state.la.us
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
01
To ensure compliance with the LDAF Nepotism Policy, do you have any immediate family members or relatives who are currently employed with the LDAF? Immediate family member is defined as children (blood, step, adopted), spouse, brother, sister, father, mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Relative includes immediate family members previously defined and also includes grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew.
02
If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the name of your immediate family member and/or relatives currently employed by the LDAF. If you answered "no" to the above question, enter N/A.
03
Are you currently a classified employee of Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry serving with permanent status?
04
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license? If yes, please indicate the license class.
05
The incumbent of this position may drive a state-owned vehicle during working hours. Office of Risk Management prohibits drivers with three or more moving violations in a one-year period from operating a state-owned vehicle. Based on this information, will you be able to operate a state-owned vehicle?
06
Do you possess a High School diploma or GED equivalency?
07
FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - How well do you apply rules, policies, and procedures in your work?
08
FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
09
IO: Influencing Others - How well do you shape, guide, or persuade others through your communication and actions?
10
IO: Influencing Others - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience.Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
11
N: Networking - How well do you build and maintain professional relationships that support your work and broader goals?
12
N: Networking - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience.Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
13
If you are qualifying for this position under a degree in specialized field option provide the level of degree, major as given on your official transcript, school name, and date earned for each degree you have completed. Example: (Bachelor's in biology at Louisiana State University May 2012)If you are not qualifying under a degree enter N/A.
Required Question
Location : Baton Rouge, LA
Job Type: Classified
Job Number: AHFS -50561553-9.14.26-JDG
Department: DAF-Agriculture and Forestry
Opening Date: 09/14/2026
Closing Date: 9/28/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
This job appointment position is located within the office of Animal Health & Food Safety - Food Quality Services (FQS) Program in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Are you passionate about protecting public health by inspecting food, enforcing quality regulations, and ensuring consumers receive only safe, wholesome products? The Department of Agriculture and Forestry is looking for dedicated professionals-apply today and make a difference.
The LDAF Produce Safety Program regulates compliance and enforcement of the Produce Safety Rule. As an Agriculture Specialist, you will support Louisiana's food safety and public health efforts by inspecting produce (fruit and vegetable) farms, promoting the LDAF Produce Safety Program and educating farmers and growers across the state.
AN IDEAL CANDIDATE SHOULD POSSESS THE FOLLOWING COMPETENCIES:
- Following Policies and Procedures: The ability to comply with policies and procedures of the organization as well as State Civil Service rules, and all applicable federal and state laws.
- Learning Actively: The ability to pursue learning, seek feedback, and integrate new knowledge to improve personal and professional performance.
- Making Accurate Judgments: The ability to assess options, weigh risks, and make sound decisions using available information and logical reasoning.
- Influencing Others: The ability to shape, guide, or alter the thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, or decisions of others.
- Networking: The ability to build and maintain relationships across internal and external networks.
Minimum Qualifications
Three years of experience in one or a combination of the following:
1. Administrative services
2. Inspecting or enforcing compliance with agricultural laws, rules, or regulations
3. Inspection and testing of weighing and measuring devices
OR
A bachelor's degree in forestry, an agricultural, biological, chemical, environmental, health, or physical science, or an information technology, mathematics, or business field.
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
This job appointment position is located within the Office of Animal Health and Food Safety. The Food Safety office is comprised of the Meat and Poultry (MPI), Poultry & Eggs(P&E), and the Food Quality Services (FQS) Programs. The FQS program has a cooperative agreement with the FDA Office of Partnerships to implement the FSMA Produce Safety Rule (PSR). This position receives supervision from the classified FSMA Produce Safety Program Manager and will perform Fruit and Vegetable regulatory inspections under the guidance of the Produce Safey Program as needed.
-LDAF Produce Safety Program regulates compliance and enforcement of the Produce Safety Rule. This includes promoting the program and educating farmers and growers across the state. Travel is required in state and out of state. The employee inspects produce farms (fruit & vegetables) to ensure that all FDA regulations are followed in relation to the FSMA PSR. Incumbent collects business data during produce farm visits to accurately account for inventory of all produce farms in the state that grow and sell to the public.
-Issues inspection reports and compliance letters as needed, keep files up to date as required and work with appropriate FDA supervision as required by the Federal/State cooperative agreement. Assist in training farmers and growers throughout the state. Completes training requirements necessary for continuing education and/or maintaining employment certifications.
-Assist the Program Manager with coordinating and participating in education and outreach activities related to the grant, including traveling, attending events, and training various stakeholders on topics related to the FSMA PSR.
-Coordinate and participate in trade shows, conferences, or promotional activities. Responsible for assisting in ordering and organizing supplies and promotional items needed for marketing. Submits print requests and maintains an inventory of property.
-Participates in emergency response training such as traceback investigations, sampling, and other trainings related to outbreaks in fresh produce or natural disasters that affect food safety.
Functional Requirements
• Reaching above shoulders
• Light to moderate lifting, 20 pounds with the occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Occasional bending or kneeling
• Sit over a long period of time at workstation or in a vehicle for travel.
Environmental Factors
• Working indoors and outdoors
• Occasional excessive heat and humidity
• Slippery and uneven walking surfaces
• Occasionally working in moderately cold temperatures for short periods of time
• Working in cold temperatures for short periods of time
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: Full-time, Job Appointment (up to four (4) years)Career Progression: This position may be filled as an Agriculture Specialist 1, 2 or 3 ,depending on the level of experience of the selected applicant(s).Compensation:
*This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER):
Agriculture Specialist 1 has an SER of $19.23 per hour.
Agriculture Specialist 2 has an SER of $20.58 per hour.
LDAF cares about the well-being of its employees! We offer a fully employer-funded Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing valuable support and resources to help you and your household members thrive at work and at home. The EAP is also free for all members of your household.
Location: This position is located inEast Baton Rouge Parish.
The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry strictly prohibits workplace harassment and discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, religion, national origin, military service, sickle cell trait, protected genetic information or other non-merit factor. LDAF also strictly prohibits employment decisions based upon or influenced by such factors.
All candidates for hire must undergo drug screening.
Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
This agency participates in the E-Verify system for verification of citizenship and employment authorization.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the "Apply" link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
Jennifer Ginn
Human Resources Supervisor
Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry
5825 Florida Blvd., Suite 1001
Baton Rouge, LA 70806
jginn@ldaf.state.la.us
Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at
Parental Leave - Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at
Holidays and Leave - State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
- Mardi Gras,
- Good Friday,
- Memorial Day,
- Independence Day,
- Labor Day,
- Veteran's Day,
- Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
***** Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement- State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
- Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
- Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (),
- Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (), among others
01
To ensure compliance with the LDAF Nepotism Policy, do you have any immediate family members or relatives who are currently employed with the LDAF? Immediate family member is defined as children (blood, step, adopted), spouse, brother, sister, father, mother, sister-in-law, brother-in-law, daughter-in-law, son-in-law, mother-in-law and father-in-law. Relative includes immediate family members previously defined and also includes grandfather, grandmother, grandson, granddaughter, uncle, aunt, niece and nephew.
- Yes
- No
02
If you answered "yes" to the above question, please list the name of your immediate family member and/or relatives currently employed by the LDAF. If you answered "no" to the above question, enter N/A.
03
Are you currently a classified employee of Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry serving with permanent status?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you have a valid Louisiana driver's license? If yes, please indicate the license class.
05
The incumbent of this position may drive a state-owned vehicle during working hours. Office of Risk Management prohibits drivers with three or more moving violations in a one-year period from operating a state-owned vehicle. Based on this information, will you be able to operate a state-owned vehicle?
- Yes
- No
06
Do you possess a High School diploma or GED equivalency?
- Yes
- No
07
FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - How well do you apply rules, policies, and procedures in your work?
- I struggle to follow rules or apply policies correctly, which can lead to confusion or mistakes.
- I follow rules with support and help correct issues, but I sometimes apply policies inconsistently.
- I apply and explain policies accurately, adapt to routine situations, and help improve procedures
- I guide others in applying policies, prevent compliance issues, and improve procedures based on experience.
08
FPP: Following Policies and Procedures - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience. Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
09
IO: Influencing Others - How well do you shape, guide, or persuade others through your communication and actions?
- I struggle to persuade others, tend to ignore feedback, and rely on rigid or ineffective tactics.
- I share my ideas with some impact and try to adjust based on feedback, but I may miss emotional or strategic cues.
- I communicate clearly and adjust my message for different audiences using feedback and emotional awareness.
- I inspire action through strategic messaging, emotional intelligence, and long-term influence strategies.
10
IO: Influencing Others - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience.Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
11
N: Networking - How well do you build and maintain professional relationships that support your work and broader goals?
- I struggle to build or maintain professional relationships; my interactions are often weak or one-sided.
- I have some contacts, but I rarely follow up or engage meaningfully; others may not see clear value in staying connected with me.
- I build and maintain professional relationships by sharing insights, following up, and participating in networking opportunities.
- I build strong, lasting connections across groups and use my network to create mutual value and contribute to broader goals.
12
N: Networking - Explain your selection by providing specific examples from your experience.Tip: Use the STAR method (situation, task, action, result) to explain how you have demonstrated this competency. Examples from work, military service, volunteering, education, or other life experiences are all valid.
13
If you are qualifying for this position under a degree in specialized field option provide the level of degree, major as given on your official transcript, school name, and date earned for each degree you have completed. Example: (Bachelor's in biology at Louisiana State University May 2012)If you are not qualifying under a degree enter N/A.
Required Question