Description:
Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.
Tasks
- Grade and sort products according to factors such as color, species, length, width, appearance, feel, smell, and quality to ensure correct processing and usage.
- Discard inferior or defective products and/or foreign matter, and place acceptable products in containers for further processing.
- Weigh products or estimate their weight, visually or by feel.
- Place products in containers according to grade and mark grades on containers.
- Record grade and/or identification numbers on tags or on shipping, receiving, or sales sheets.
- Separate fiber tufts between fingers to assess strength, uniformity, and cohesive quality of fibers.
Knowledge
- Public Safety and Security
- Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
- Production and Processing
- Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
- Food Production
- Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.
- English Language
- Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
- Administration and Management
- Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
- Clerical
- Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.
- Transportation
- Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.
- Personnel and Human Resources
- Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.
- Mechanical
- Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
- Mathematics
- Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Skills
- Active Listening
- Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
- Speaking
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Reading Comprehension
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Instructing
- Teaching others how to do something.
- Active Learning
- Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
- Learning Strategies
- Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
- Critical Thinking
- Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
- Coordination
- Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
- Quality Control Analysis
- Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
- Complex Problem Solving
- Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Abilities
- Category Flexibility
- The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
- Oral Comprehension
- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- Oral Expression
- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- Manual Dexterity
- The ability to quickly move your hand, your hand together with your arm, or your two hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
- Speech Recognition
- The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
- Speech Clarity
- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Trunk Strength
- The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
- Problem Sensitivity
- The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
- Finger Dexterity
- The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.
Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Getting Information
- Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing General Physical Activities
- Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material
- Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
- Coordinating the Work and Activities of Others
- Getting members of a group to work together to accomplish tasks.
- Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Work Context
- Face-to-Face Discussions
- How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?
- Physical Proximity
- To what extent does this job require the worker to perform job tasks in close physical proximity to other people?
- Spend Time Standing
- How much does this job require standing?
- Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions
- How much does this job require making repetitive motions?
- Work With Work Group or Team
- How important is it to work with others in a group or team in this job?
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- How important is being very exact or highly accurate in performing this job?
- Contact With Others
- How much does this job require the worker to be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise) in order to perform it?
- Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled
- How often does this job require working indoors in non-controlled environmental conditions (e.g., warehouse without heat)?
- Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls
- How much does this job require using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls?
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?
Interests
- Realistic
- Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
- Conventional
- Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- Investigative
- Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
- Enterprising
- Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.
- Artistic
- Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.
- Social
- Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
Work Style
- Dependability
- Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Attention to Detail
- Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Cooperation
- Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
- Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Self Control
- Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
- Concern for Others
- Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
- Achievement/Effort
- Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
- Integrity
- Job requires being honest and ethical.
- Independence
- Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
- Initiative
- Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Work Value
- Support
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
- Working Conditions
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
- Relationships
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
- Independence
- Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employs to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Achievement
- Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Recognition
- Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.
Related Occupations
Common Lay Titles
- Agricultural Establishment Grader Inspector
- Agricultural Establishment Inspector-Grader
- Agricultural Produce Sorter
- Agriculture Laborer
- Apple Inspector
- Apple Sorter
- Apple Turner
- Asparagus Buncher
- Banana Expert
- Banana Grader
- Bean Sorter
- Bulb Grader
- Butter Grader
- Carrot Buncher
- Carrot Tier
- Casing Grader
- Celery Cutter
- Celery Packer
- Celery Stripper
- Celery Tier
- Celery Wrapper
- Cheese Grader
- Cheese Packer
- Cherry Sorter
- Chick Grader
- Chick Sexer
- Chicken Sexer
- Citrus Fruit Packer
- Clam Sorter
- Coffee Sampler
- Coffee Taster
- Coffee Weigher
- Coloring Room Man
- Coloring Room Worker
- Corn Lab Technician
- Cotton Classer
- Cotton Classer Aide
- Cotton Expert
- Cotton Grader
- Cotton Seed Culler
- Egg Candler
- Egg Grader
- Egg Sorter
- Egg Tester
- Egg Trayer
- Egg Worker
- Eggs Inspector
- Elevator Operator
- Fish Liver Sorter
- Fish Roe Technician
- Flour Tester
- Flower Grader
- Food Taster
- Fruit Checker
- Fruit Culler
- Fruit Grader
- Fruit Inspector
- Fruit Packer
- Fruit Sorter
- Fruit Worker
- Grader
- Grain Grader
- Grain Inspector
- Grain Picker
- Grain Sampler
- Hide Grader
- Laboratory Technician
- Leaf Size Picker
- Leaf Sorter
- Leaf Stripper
- Lettuce Trimmer
- Meat Grader
- Meat Inspector
- Milk Inspector
- Milk Sampler
- Nut Culler
- Nut Grader
- Nut Packer
- Nut Picker
- Nut Sorter
- Olive Grader
- Onion Tier
- Oyster Grader
- Oyster Picker
- Oyster Sorter
- Packer
- Peanut Cleaner
- Peanut Grader
- Peanut Separator
- Pecan Cleaner
- Pecan Picker
- Picker
- Potato Grader
- Potato Inspector
- Potato Sorter
- Poultry Grader
- Poultry Inspector
- Poultry Sexer
- Produce Laborer
- Produce Sorter
- Quality Control Technician
- Ring Facer
- Sample Grader
- Seed Sorter
- Sorter
- Sorting Machine Operator
- Spud Grader
- Spud Sorter
- Strawberry Sorter
- Tobacco Grader
- Tobacco Sizer
- Tobacco Sorter
- Vegetable Buncher
- Vegetable Grader
- Vegetable Inspector
- Vegetable Sorter
- Vegetable Specker
- Washer
- Wool and Pelt Grader
- Wool Fleece Grader
- Wool Fleece Sorter
- Wool Grader
- Wool Puller
- Wool Sorter