{"schemaVersion":"1.0","exportedAt":"2026-05-15T12:38:51.709Z","occupation":{"soc":"45-2041.00","title":"Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products","group":"Farming, Fishing & Forestry","sector":"11","jobZone":2,"jobZoneInferred":false},"framework":{"version":null,"description":"Grade, sort, or classify unprocessed food and other agricultural products by size, weight, color, or condition.","contextCovered":"Packing sheds, cooperative packers, processing plants; produce, eggs, meat, and grain grading; USDA voluntary and mandatory grade standards.","levels":{"emerging":{"label":"Emerging","statements":["Standard grade charts and color cards — reference accurately under a senior grader's review on a packing line.","Routine product inspection (size, defect, color) — call grades per the operation's standards.","Standard sampling at the line — pull, identify, and record on a defined frequency.","Personal protective equipment and food-safety practice — apply consistently in cold and damp environments.","Line speed and pace expectations — meet on assigned stations after onboarding.","Routine reject and rework codes — apply correctly to flagged product.","Hand tools and grading aids (knives, gauges, color meters) — use safely per training.","Communication with line leads — relay grade trends and equipment issues during shift.","Daily grader logs — maintain accurately for the supervisor's review.","Personal-hygiene rules (handwashing, hair restraint, jewelry) — apply consistently."]},"developing":{"label":"Developing","statements":["Independent grading on routine product streams — call grades accurately with the operation's tolerances.","USDA voluntary grade standards (apples, eggs, beef) — apply consistently to inspected lots.","Lot-level grade summaries — compile and submit to QC and packing-shed leads.","Trend recognition (size drift, color shift, defect spikes) — flag to operations with documented evidence.","Junior graders and seasonal hires — train on grade calls, pace, and safety.","Sampling and audit support — provide for buyer or USDA visits.","Equipment troubleshooting (graders, sorters, color cameras) — escalate appropriately with diagnostic detail.","Reject and rework pile management — coordinate with packing leads to keep yields tight.","Cross-shift hand-offs — conduct with documentation on grade trends and equipment status.","Continuous-grading certifications (USDA Federal-State Inspection) — maintain through annual updates."]},"proficient":{"label":"Proficient","statements":["Full-shift grading and QC leadership — own with documented yields and grade accuracy.","USDA Federal-State Inspector certification — maintain and apply on mandatory and voluntary grade work.","Buyer audits and packer-grade disputes — handle with documented samples and standards.","Junior graders and grade-room operators — supervise across a packing shed or line.","Sortation-equipment calibration and tuning — own in coordination with vendors and engineering.","Continuous-improvement projects (defect tracking, yield improvement, line speed) — lead with measurable outcomes.","Standards training for production staff — deliver to maintain consistent grade calls.","Cross-commodity grading (transferring across product lines or seasons) — adapt with documented standards.","Quality reports for management and buyers — author with confidence and credibility.","Standard certifications and refreshers — own across the grading team."]},"advanced":{"label":"Advanced","statements":["Quality-and-grade strategy for a packing shed, cooperative, or processor — set across product, season, and buyer relationships.","Major buyer relationships (retailers, food service) — own at the standards and dispute-resolution level.","Capital decisions (sorting technology, color cameras, X-ray) — author and defend.","USDA and industry committee leadership — contribute through standards bodies.","Continuous-improvement programs across multiple sites — lead with measurable yield and quality gains.","Workforce development and grader certifications — own with measurable retention.","Buyer audit and complaint resolution — lead at executive level.","Industry conferences and standards proceedings — represent the operation.","Cross-functional engagement with growers, harvest crews, and packers — lead on quality programs.","Legacy mentorship and field-shaping standards — institutionalize through training and certification."]}}},"sources":{"onet":"v30.2 (CC BY 4.0)","crosswalk":"https://skillscrosswalk.com","generator":"LER.me"},"attribution":"© EBSCOed"}