Farm Investigations Specialist

Who we are: CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We advocate on behalf of our members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible.

CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California over 50 years ago, our roots now span the breadth of North America, and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm.

Position Summary: 

CCOF is expanding our Farm certification team! We are seeking a Farm Investigations Specialist to join our dynamic team. 

The Farm Investigations Specialist reviews complaints about clients, investigations, and positive sample results in addition to providing technical services to certified Farm clients and new applicants to support equal access to the certification process. 

If you have regulatory compliance and/or environmental, agriculture or related field experience and share a passion for our mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthier world, we encourage you to apply. As a Farm Investigations Specialist, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the organic integrity of products in the marketplace. 

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Farm Investigations Supervisor. This is a United States-based remote position. 

Essential Responsibilities: 

• Develop investigation plans and ensure consistent application of NOP regulations and Handbook. 
• Execute investigation and sampling plans in collaboration with the Inspection Operations Department. 
• Effectively manage an ongoing and dynamic workload of complaints, investigations, and positive sample results.  

Specific Duties: 

• Review inspection reports, positive sampling results and investigation results in a timely manner. 
• Review high risk client files and Major Noncompliance Inspection Reports.
• Complete and send complaint reports to the CA SOP and NOP and issues resolution notices to nongovernmental complainants.  
• Make nuanced decisions and recommend compliance outcomes based on analysis of compliance information.  
• Assist in the development of investigation tools and resources, e.g. Action Item templates, Work Instructions, and Intact Platform text templates.
• Provide technical services to certified organic clients, including reviewing and communicating with certified operations about mid-year updates, such as new land, input materials, suppliers, labels, etc.  
• Communicate with clients to provide written and verbal instructions regarding compliance to all applicable standards. 
• Review new certification applications, mid-year updates, and/or inspection reports to ensure timely review. 
• Work daily with a complex, proprietary database to perform the regular tasks of the job and to ensure that database records are consistent and current.  
• Ensure that the CCOF Quality System is implemented.  
• Work on special projects as required.  

Required Qualifications: 

• Five years’ experience as a Farm Certification Specialist including demonstrated leadership/expertise or equivalent experience in a similar role or equivalent relevant industry experience.
• Understanding of organic certification standards including familiarity with the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, certification processes, and certification requirements.
• Strong computer proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams) and database programs. Able to effectively manage emails and notifications, learn database programs, and maintain accurate database records. 
• Ability to think critically, logically, and autonomously through complex investigations to propose solutions to problems. Comfortable navigating grey areas, asking for help when needed. Skilled in using internal and external resources to independently find solutions to unfamiliar situations.
• Highly organized, motivated, with a strong attention to detail to manage and prioritize multiple complex cases simultaneously. Focuses attention on providing consistent decisions for complaints and investigations.
• Clear, direct, and concise written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work with various groups and demographics of people. Proficiency providing technical support and building trust through customer service. Capable of effectively conveying certification requirements to clients, ensuring standards are met, and addressing compliance issues with clarity and professionalism.
• Team Collaboration. Actively contributes to team success by completing tasks, meeting goals, and supporting and sharing responsibility for the work. Demonstrates respectful collaboration by actively listening to colleagues and valuing different ideas. Ability to provide and receive constructive feedback.
• B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in agriculture or related field, or equivalent relevant work experience in lieu of degree requirement. 

Desired Qualifications: 

• Completion of IOIA Organic Crops Inspector training or equivalent.
• Experience working in agriculture, preferably organic, including knowledge of regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Knowledge and commitment to the principles of anti-discrimination. A willingness to engage in discussions about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender and the ways our identities shape our workplace experiences.
• Experience working remotely with in-office and remote teams.     

Supervisory Responsibilities or Key Relationships: 

• This role does not have any supervisory responsibilities. 

Physical and Travel Requirements: 

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• This position may involve occasional opportunities to travel at least once a year for staff events, regulatory meetings, tradeshows and/or to represent CCOF professionally at industry events in the US or Mexico. 

Other duties: 

 Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Compensation: CCOF takes pride in offering competitive pay and benefits such as superb health plans, 401(k) program, and generous sick/personal and vacation time. The Farm Investigations Specialist’s starting salary range will be $69,696 – $75,845 and will depend on qualifications and experience.  

Hiring Process: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants, please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter summarizing your interest in CCOF and the position, and qualifications
• Current resume
• List of three professional references 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls, please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

CCOF is an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize community, well-being, and belonging, ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute, develop and succeed. We encourage people with various talents and experience to apply.

Community-building is a core value at CCOF. We are passionate about cultivating and sustaining a work environment where all employees can thrive. We believe every member of our team enriches our culture by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world.

 

 

 

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