Certification Specialist

Pennsylvania Certified Organic (PCO) is excited to announce a position opening for Certification Specialist (CS) to join our team. As a CS, you will have responsibility for providing excellent customer service as you review organic files and determine compliance status. Experience with processor / handler / food manufacturers is preferred. This is fully remote with very minimal travel. 

PCO is a growing non-profit organization that works with farmers and food producers across the US. PCO provides organic certification services to more than 1600 operations, employs approximately 40 staff, and sub-contracts with around 50 inspectors.  Our staff are dedicated to our vision: A world where agriculture systems prioritize health, ecological balance, fairness and care. and we are committed to a work culture of purpose, caring, and results.

This is a full-time, exempt, remote telecommuting position.

Salary range: $53,000 to $66,000 depending on experience.

We’ll be reviewing applications as they are submitted. We encourage interested parties to submit applications as soon as possible. Priority will be given to applications received by June 25th, 2024 and the position will remain open until filled. 

The health and wellbeing of our team members is a top priority at PCO. View our benefits on our website: https://paorganic.org/about/staff/openings/

PCO is an equal opportunity employer and service provider. We do not discriminate with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, ancestry, political beliefs, union membership, disability (in accordance with the American With Disabilities Act and the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act), veteran status, gender or sexual orientation, marital or familial status, genetic information, and any other characteristic protected by law. We value and encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; members of the LGBTQ+ community; veterans; people with disabilities; and people who have been formerly incarcerated. Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for opportunities when they don’t feel fully qualified. We are most interested in finding the best candidate, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. We would encourage you to submit your interest.

Certification Specialist

Position Summary:

The Certification Specialist performs file review, which supports the certification review process responsibility of the Certification Team.

Team Statement:

The Certification Specialist is a member of the Certification Team, which has the following areas of responsibility:

1. Certification Review Process

2. Certification Policy and Procedures

3. Compliance and Enforcement

The Certification Specialist’s work focuses on all areas listed above.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

Certification Review Process

• Review certification applications and updates, inspection reports and supporting documentation and determine compliance status as assigned by supervisor

• Provide information and respond to requests for information about PCO and organic certification via email, letter, phone and occasional virtual or in-person meetings.

• Complete assigned workload in accordance with Certification Review Team timelines and communicate with supervisor about delays

• Serve as primary contact person for clients assigned by supervisor

• Provide evaluative feedback on inspector performance

• Work daily with a complex, proprietary database to perform the regular tasks of the job. Ensures that database records are consistent and current

Certification Policy & Procedure

• Support the development and maintenance of certification forms and documents

• Maintain an understanding of the USDA National Organic Program regulations, as well as PCO policy and procedures

• As applicable, maintain an understanding of Organic Plus Trust Grassfed regulations

• Implement certification policies and procedures

Compliance and Enforcement

• Make autonomous or semi-autonomous decisions about clients’ compliance with USDA NOP Rule using accurate sources of data and communicate those decisions to clients in a timely manner

• Write compliance findings, including Conditions, Notifications of Noncompliance and Adverse Actions

• Perform mediations and draft settlement agreements with support from Certification Program Managers, as needed.

• Monitor response deadlines for outgoing compliance, including managing reminders

• Ensure compliance responses are received within applicable deadlines.

• Work with Certification Program Manager to respond to rebuttals and appeals of adverse certification decisions

• Participate in audits and accreditation site visits, as requested by the Quality Team

Other

• Participate in Certification Team meetings

• Conduct inspections of operations requesting certification, if qualified and as assigned by the team leader

• Ensure the avoidance of conflict of interest throughout the certification process and update the PCO Conflict of Interest form on an annual basis at a minimum

• Serving as a representative of PCO in relevant industry areas as appropriate, and role modeling diversity, equity, and inclusion.

• Represent PCO at public events, as needed

• Any other task relevant to these duties or the mission of the organization as assigned by the supervisor or Certification Deputy Director

Job Requirements*:

Position

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience, preferably in agriculture, biology, environmental studies, or food science.

• Familiarity with regulatory compliance

• Knowledge of the certification to USDA organic standards and evidence of education, training or professional experience in the fields of agriculture, science or organic production and handling that relates to assigned duties.

• Familiarity with the certification procedure

• Excellent organizational skills

• Attention to detail

General

• Analytical problem-solving ability

•  Ability to manage multiple priorities and perform within deadlines

• Excellent communication and writing skills 

• Excellent interpersonal skills

• Able to work with minimal supervision while understanding the necessity for communicating and coordinating work efforts with others. Must be able to develop a work plan and perform in a team environment.

• Computer proficiency: word processing, spreadsheets, internet research, databases. Comfort using a computer for multiple hours at a time.

• Performs work with utmost honesty and integrity. Criminal background check is required.

• Understands and appreciates the importance of extraordinary customer service

•  Dedicated to PCO’s mission

•  United States citizen or legally approved to be employed in this position in the United States

• All other duties as assigned by supervisor or Executive Director. 

Class: Full time, exempt

Reports to: Certification Program Manager

Physical Requirements / Working Conditions:

• Climate controlled office environment

• Minimal physical requirements other than occasional light lifting

• This is a remote “work from home” position. The regular schedule is an 8-hour workday. Standard office hours are between 8:30am - 4:30 pm EST. 

• Moderate travel may be required

• Valid driver’s license

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by an employee occupying this position. Employees may be required to perform other related duties as assigned, to ensure workload coverage. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee and is subject to change by the employer as organizational needs and requirements of the job change.