Brand Recorder

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

This recruitment is open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled for November 18, 2026. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before November 17, 2026. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad. The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity

The WSDA Animal Services Division is dedicated to the protection, promotion and enhancement of animal health, wellness and wellbeing. The division works to minimize the exposure of the people of Washington State and their animals to harmful animal diseases on a state, national, and international level.

Within the Livestock Identification Program this position operates the brand registration system for the state of Washington by issuing titles for Brand holders (designing and registering livestock brands), processes licenses, certifications and provides assistance to program staff as needed.

This position reviews and approves brand design applications from customers. In so doing, the incumbent must make a decision on whether or not the design in question conflicts with any currently recorded brand images.

Important Notes: WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Brand Control Specialist position within the Animal Services Division. This position is located in Olympia, WA. This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE) Union The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary for this position is: Range 38 Step A $41,820 - Step L $54,204 annually. What to Expect Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

Brand Recording/Renewing• Receive and process new brand applications, transfers and renewals from customers.

• Ensure applicant information is accurately entered or updated in the electronic brand management database, Animal Tracks.
• Communicate with customers on the status of their application through telephone and email.
• Review applicant's requested brand design and compares currently recorded or pending brand design to ensure there are no conflicts or similar designs.
• Create a full-scale dimensioned brand design to send to the customer in accordance with approved brand design rules on spaces, dimensions, letters, and numbers. and symbols.
• Create brand registration packets to send to customers once brand designs are approved.
• Create and mail brand certificate of title cards to customers when registration or transfer process is complete.
• Administer the brand renewal process every two years.
• Prepare and send brand renewal letters.
• Receive, process, and track brand renewals.
• Publish the Washington State Brand Book every two years.
• Publish supplements to the brand book every quarter.
• Receive and process orders for brand books.
• Ensure brand books are shipped to customers.
• Identify brands that have been pending for 12+ months
• Send letters requesting re-application and informing applicant of expired status.

Impounds/Estrays• Submit classified advertisements to local newspapers when inspectors report trespass/ at large animals delivered to public livestock markets.

• Submit purchase orders to fiscal accounts payable and ensure invoices are paid.
• Receive, track, and scan cleared impounds that are mailed in with proof of ownership.
• Scan and email impounds that are cleared with an affidavit to the compliance officer that directly monitors that area.
• Work with producers on clearing impounds and notifying them of requirements.
• Create, edit and mail impound letters to consigner and brand holder when money is sent to Olympia after retention period at location animal was impounded.
• Track all impounds that have money released to WSDA.
• Monitor open impounds
• Follow up with brand inspector supervisor to ensure that inspectors are sending in money and processing impounds in accordance with RCW and WAC.
• Move funds from impound (3108) to estray (3127) after 1 year from sale date of impound if proof of ownership was not provided.

Records Management• Receive and track the submission of sale records by field staff, including public livestock markets, receiving stations, slaughter plants, certified feedlot audits, etc.

• Notify staff and field supervisors of missing records and oversee records archiving and scanning.
• Maintain physical brand files for all active brands, file renewal forms, annually pull inactive files, annually archive brand files that have been expired for 6+ years.

Annual Licensing• Administer the annual licensing renewal for public livestock markets and certified feedlots.

Administrative Support• Assist with public disclosure requests.

• Assist with ordering program forms.
• Assist with answering program main telephone line and email and provide customer service.
• Assist with receiving and processing orders for haul slips.

Trespass/ At Large Animal Advertisements• Submit classified advertisements to local newspapers when inspectors report trespass/at large animals delivered to public livestock markets.

• Submit purchase orders to fiscal accounts payable and ensure invoices are paid.

Who should apply?

Professionals with:• Graduation from high school or GED, equivalent education/experience

AND

• Four years of clerical experience (College or Business School training may be substituted, year for year, for two years of clerical experience.)

Preferred/Desired:• Microsoft Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite office Products including Word, Outlook, and Excel Suite

• Proficient with mobile devices and iOS applications to include apple iPAD.
• Experience using computer aided drafting (CAD) programs.
• Knowledge of Washington brand regulations
• Knowledge of regulatory measures pertaining to livestock control, the livestock industry, and livestock branding.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

How to apply

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• A resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Three professional references

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email [email protected].

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

WSDA uses a I-9 form(Download PDF reader) to determine Employment Eligibility and Verification, once hired. This document is the authorization of an individual’s ability to be hired for employment within the United States. Applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at [email protected].

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here. Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service. For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.