Want to work with people committed to assuring the integrity of organic food production in Pennsylvania and surrounding states? If you have education or experience in agriculture or a related field, consider applying to join PCO’s certification team, or becoming an organic inspector.

Positions Available:

Assistant Certification Director

The successful applicant will be responsible for assisting the Certification Director with developing and administering the organic certification program. The Assistant Certification Director reviews new client applications, reviews files completed by certification specialists, develops and organizes standards policies and assists with training and evaluating certification staff, and participates in PCO events and presentations. This is a full-time position located in our Spring Mills, PA office, with some travel required.

Organic Transition Specialist

The successful applicant will assist clients in transition from conventional production to organic certification. Applicants should have agriculture background, willingness to teach, presentation and computer skills. This is a full-time position in our Spring Mills, PA office, with some travel required.

Organic Inspector / Coordinator

The successful applicant will work with organic farmers and processors by conducting annual on-site inspections of approximately 200 operations per year. The organic inspector will also work with other contracted inspectors and PCO personnel to coordinate additional inspections by working a few days per month at the PCO office located in Spring Mills, PA. This is a full-time position.

Organic Inspector

The successful applicant will be responsible for performing assigned inspections in a timely manner in accordance with PCO policies and procedures. This is a part-time or full-time position.

Organic Certification Specialist

The successful applicant will work with organic farmers and processors by reviewing organic system plans, researching materials used, working with organic inspectors and providing ongoing technical support on organic standards and certification.  The certification specialist will also help plan educational events, contribute to our newsletter, work with advisory committees, write guidance sheets, and attend meetings and workshops in the region.  This is a full-time position.

Wondering what a day in the life of a PCO certification staff member is like?  Click here to find out!

For a full description of duties and qualifications, click on the job title above.

Both full- and part-time positions include benefits; salaries will reflect experience. The staff members will work at our Spring Mills, PA, office.

How to Apply: Send us a résumé and cover letter (electronic submission of application materials is preferred). Make sure to state the position for which you are applying and highlight coursework, training, and experience relevant to the position. This announcement will remain in effect until the positions are filled. Direct inquiries and applications to:

Organic inspectors work for PCO as independent contractors. They are not PCO employees and do not work from the PCO office — they work on their own schedule and are paid for each inspection based on the type of operation and amount of time spent. As consumer demand for organic products expands--especially organic dairy--so does our need for organic inspectors. If you are interested in seeking work with PCO as an inspector, contact Kelly Lehman in the PCO office for more information (Kelly@paorganic.org).

If you are not a trained organic inspector but would like to become one, you may also be interested in checking out the Independent Organic Inspectors Association (IOIA) website:http://www.ioia.net/. There you can find a training schedule along with other useful information relevant to organic inspectors.

This page last updated 12/12/2007