NELMA is Hiring!
Territory: Eastern North Dakota, Northern Minnesota, Northern Wisconsin, and UP Michigan
Employee is Home-Based and must reside within the territory listed above.
This position conducts inspections of lumber and/or timbers at member mills that subscribe to the grading services of NELMA and on-demand grading services requests, in addition to providing continual training to member mill’s grading personnel. Inspections of wood packaging per the ISPM 15 Standard and the NELMA WPM Inspection procedures. Core sampling of pressure treated products and quality control verification according to AWPA and SPIB standards and procedures.
Specific Duties for Grading Ser1vices
| · | Maintain thorough knowledge of the Standard Grading Rules for Northeastern Lumber, the General Definitions & Instructions for Grading Eastern White Pine Boards, the Interpretations of the National Grading Rule for Softwood Dimension Lumber, in addition to the NELMA Grading Services Policy & Procedures, with the ability to apply all aspects of the grading rules and policy during inspections of lumber and/or timbers. | |||||||||||
| · | Conduct inspections at each assigned facility at a minimum of 12 visits per calendar year or approximately monthly but within 50 days of each inspection, with greater frequency at mills where the inspection results in non-conformance with NELMA’s grading policy that requires a return inspection within 21 days of that visit to ensure corrective procedures are implemented. | |||||||||||
| · | Conduct inspections of lumber and timber for grade accuracy at member mills, and also conduct original grading certificate inspections as assigned by the Director of Inspection Services at locations that request NELMA’s On-Demand grading and inspection services. | |||||||||||
| Complete detailed inspection reports on the NELMA Inspection Report Databases, utilizing NELMA provided computer or tablet. Handwritten paper forms may be used in the event of technical issues with reporting equipment or software, these reports will be entered in the database once the technical issues are resolved. | ||||||||||||
| · | Perform ongoing training with designated grading personnel regarding the Standard Grading Rules for Northeastern Lumber to either maintain NELMA Grader Certification or obtain initial Certification. | |||||||||||
| · | Assist the Director of Inspection Services and the Lumber Inspection Program Coordinator in conducting periodic grader training workshops and seminars, and conducting the annual Dimension and Eastern White Pine Grader Competitions, as requested. | |||||||||||
Specific Duties for Treated Lumber Inspection Services
| Maintain thorough knowledge of the Southern Pine Inspection Bureau (SPIB) Inspection Procedures for Preservative Treated Lumber in addition to the applicable standards of the American Wood Preservers Association (AWPA) | |||||||||||
| Conduct minimum monthly inspections at pressure treatment plants as assigned by the Director of Inspection Services, which entails collection of core samples for verification of chemical penetration in treated lumber products and a review & verification of the facility’s in-plant quality control measures. More frequent inspections may be required based on the plant’s compliance status. | |||||||||||
| Complete detailed inspection reports on the SPIB Reporting Database utilizing NELMA provided computer or tablet. Send core samples to the SPIB lab for chemical retention analysis. | |||||||||||
| Maintain regular communication with SPIB regional managers and NELMA Director of Inspection Services. Coordinate an annual visit with the SPIB regional manager at assigned plants for maintaining consistency of inspection procedures and any new standard implementation. |
Specific Duties for Wood Packaging Materials Inspection Services
| · | Maintain thorough knowledge of NELMA’s Facility Certification Program and Compliance Procedures for Heat Treatment (HT) and Wood Packaging Materials (WPM), with the ability to apply all aspects of the procedures during inspections at export packaging facilities that subscribe to NELMA’s program. | |||||||||||
| · | Conduct inspections at each assigned facility at a minimum of 12 visits per calendar year or approximately monthly but within 50 days of each inspection, with greater frequency at facilities where the inspection results in non-conformance with NELMA’s WPM Procedures that requires a return inspection within 21 days of that visit to ensure corrective procedures are implemented. | |||||||||||
| · | Complete detailed inspection reports on the NELMA Inspection Report Databases, utilizing NELMA provided computer or tablet. Handwritten paper forms may be used in the event of technical issues with reporting equipment or software, these reports will be entered into the database once the technical issues are resolved. | |||||||||||
| · | Conduct inspections at wood packaging facilities as assigned by the Director of Inspection Services at locations that request NELMA’s On-Demand inspection services. | |||||||||||
| · | Submit to NELMA HQ Office all changes to a facility’s contact information, including changes to operating hours, facility access details, revisions to designated personnel and their email, physical and mailing address, and phone. | |||||||||||
| · | When advised by the NELMA HQ Office of certification program applicants, the Inspector will conduct an on-site visit to evaluate the facility and review the NELMA Procedures with management and designated personnel of all aspects of the program prior to approval for services. | |||||||||||
Experience & Education Requirements
| Experience in the grading of softwood lumber, or experience in the wood products industry is preferred but not necessary. Additionally, a highly-motivated self-starter that possesses excellent customer communication abilities, task-oriented planning abilities, organizational skills, and a high attention to details is also required. This position is home-based for the individual, providing inspection services within an assigned territory as established by the President and Director of Inspection Services. |
