Livestock Certification Supervisor

Who we are: CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We advocate on behalf of our members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible.

CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California over 53 years ago, our roots now span the breadth of North America, and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm.

Position Summary:

CCOF is seeking a Livestock Certification Supervisor to join our Farm certification team!

The Livestock Certification Supervisor manages a team of Certification Specialists and oversees CCOF’s USDA National Organic Program (NOP) livestock scope standards and OPT Grass-Fed certification. This position works to ensure effective implementation and consistent application of certification in these two standards.

If you are passionate about our mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthier world and have experience with the USDA National Organic Program standards for livestock, we encourage you to apply.

Step into a leadership role where you’ll join a dynamic and mission-driven team that collaborates to support approximately 160 livestock clients and will play a key role in ensuring the organic integrity of products in the marketplace.

This is a full-time, exempt position that reports to the Director of Farm Certification. This is a United States-based remote position. 

Applications will be reviewed starting on September 14, 2026.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Ensure CCOF consistently implements the USDA NOP standards with regards to the livestock scope in addition to OPT Grass Fed regulations.
• Address ongoing updates and clarifications to USDA NOP & OPT Grass Fed regulations to ensure that CCOF’s positions are clear, consistent, and communicated effectively.

Specific Duties:

• Train and mentor certification staff to ensure that high quality technical and customer services are effectively provided to Livestock clients.
• Develop systems, tools, and/or programs to enhance efficiency, quality, and staff job satisfaction including work instructions, OSP documents, and other items.
• Be responsible for quality control of Livestock certification work as described in the CCOF Quality Manual.
• Host office hours to answer policy and procedure questions from Farm Department certification staff specifically with relation to livestock.
• Address unique compliance and certification issues associated with Livestock clients.
• Schedule livestock team meetings as needed.
• Support the development of annual workplans with regards to livestock certification and oversee projects as applicable.
• Monitor issues relevant to livestock certification; NOP updates, audits, information requests, avian influenza, temporary variance requests, livestock material reviews, etc. and assess, communicate, and implement necessary actions.
• Oversee the OPT Grass-Fed Program, including management of program activities within the dedicated OPT Portal, coordination training as needed, and maintenance of program resources.
• Review Livestock inspection reports and inbox items as applicable to the role.
• Participate in the hiring, training, and peer review of new Livestock staff.
• Represent CCOF at professional development events such as ACA trainings or trade shows.
• Participate in additional leadership meetings, internally and externally.
• Work cross-departmentally or cross-organizationally on special projects and/or questions related to livestock certification.

Supervise Certification Staff

• Oversee direct reports by giving and receiving feedback and addressing performance problems, defining roles and goals, delegating, modeling CCOF's values and imparting our culture to their direct reports, ensuring CCOF remains in compliance with employment laws, and promoting equal opportunities for all staff members.
• Schedule quarterly direct report meetings and monthly 1 on 1 check in calls with direct reports.
• Perform quality spot checks for direct reports in addition to the livestock team and any required follow-up training is conducted as needed.
• Conduct mid-year pulse checks and annual performance evaluations for direct reports.
• Approve expense reports, out of office time, and other scheduling requests for direct reports.

Required Qualifications:

• Five years’ experience as a CCOF Certification Specialist including demonstrated leadership/expertise or equivalent experience in a similar role within the industry.
• Understanding of organic livestock standards including familiarity with the National Organic Program (NOP) regulations, accreditation requirements, certification processes, and certification requirements.
• Exceptional critical thinking skills to work independently within established procedures and use available resources to overcome obstacles and problem-solve. Able to ask for assistance when needed.    
• Professional written and verbal communication to effectively engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Writes clearly to tailor messages to various audiences. Organizes and shares information effectively. 
• Able to confidently navigate roles involving communicating regulatory requirements.   
• Understands how to prioritize competing needs and tasks without sacrificing quality. Able to monitor, plan, and follow through on tasks with competing deadlines. Able to effectively track information from multiple sources such as emails, phone calls, meetings, and messaging notifications.  
• Notices and fixes errors that others might overlook. Acknowledges mistakes and turns them into learning opportunities. Has a track record of leaving things better than they found them. 
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office suite (especially Outlook, Word, and Teams) and other relevant applications such as database programs. Able to learn database programs and maintain accurate database records.    
• Proficient in delivering technical support and building trust through professional and empathetic customer service interactions. Displays a courteous, helpful attitude when interacting with clients and can de-escalate tense situations. 
• Actively contributes to the team by completing tasks and meeting goals. Actively listens to coworkers, respects ideas, and aims to improve processes. Receptive to constructive feedback. 
• B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in an applicable field such as environmental science, agriculture, or related fields. OR at least 3 years of experience in an applicable field gained through work or volunteer positions.   

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with OPT Grass-Fed Certification, quality assurance or other regulatory programs related to livestock. 
• Experience planning, coordinating, executing and finishing complex projects. Ability to delegate and prioritize tasks, manage resources, analyze problems, report progress, and evaluate project performance to ensure successful outcomes.
• Effective Leadership and Management. Approaches leadership with a “power with,” not “power over” mindset. Dedicated to growing and supporting people. Proven track record and willingness to have tough conversations. Cultivates a coaching and learning mentality. Provides ongoing constructive feedback and assists with professional development. Inspires and motivates others to take action and meet goals. Delegates skillfully by clearly communicating expectations for the outcomes of the work, making sure staff are on the same page about how the work will proceed, checking in on ongoing work, and creating accountability and opportunities for learning. Holds the team accountable and recognizes areas for professional growth.  
• Knowledge and commitment to the principles of anti-discrimination. A willingness to engage in discussions about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender and the ways our identities shape our workplace experiences.   
• Experience with livestock production practices, such as hands on field experience. 
• Completion of IOIA Organic Livestock Inspector training or similar. 
• Experience working in complex database programs (i.e. Intact Platform). 
• Experience working remotely and/or collaborating effectively with remote teams. 
• Commitment to CCOF’s mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthy world. 

Supervisory Responsibilities or Key Relationships:

• This role will be responsible for managing a team of 4-6 Certification Specialists.

Physical and Travel Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• This position may involve occasional opportunities to travel at least once a year for staff events, regulatory meetings, tradeshows and/or to represent CCOF professionally at industry events.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation: CCOF takes pride in offering competitive pay and benefits such as superb health plans, 401(k) program, and generous sick/personal and vacation time. The Livestock Certification Supervisor’s starting salary range will be $84,012 – $91,426 and will depend on qualifications and experience.

Hiring Process: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.Interested applicants, please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter summarizing your interest in CCOF and the position, and qualifications
• Current resume
• List of three professional references

Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls, please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

CCOF is an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize community, well-being, and belonging, ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute, develop and succeed. We encourage people with various talents and experience to apply.

Fairness is an important practice at CCOF. We are passionate about building and sustaining a work environment where all employees can thrive. We believe every member of our team enriches our culture by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world.

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Originally posted on Himalayas