Meat and Poultry Compliance Officer

Our mission is to serve, advocate, protect, and promote agriculture to benefit everyone. We support agriculture by embracing diversity, innovation, research, and trade. We offer a competitive employee benefits package, including a fully paid family health insurance plan, paid leave, paid holidays, retirement plan, and a flexible work schedule.

Salary: $5,600 - $6,100 per month; plus benefits.

Summary of Work

The North Dakota Department of Agriculture is seeking a qualified and dedicated individual to serve as a Meat and Poultry Compliance Officer. In this role, the Compliance Officer will be responsible for ensuring that the state's meat and poultry products meet regulatory standards and are safe for public consumption. Key duties include inspecting meat and poultry establishments and collaborating closely with industry stakeholders to ensure compliance with relevant regulations in the meat and poultry industry.

This position is classified as a field staff role, with the ability to work remotely from home when not conducting inspections. The ideal candidate should be located in the central region of North Dakota, with preference given to those residing in Benson, Burleigh, Eddy, Foster, Kidder, McHenery, McLean, Mercer, Morton, Oliver, Pierce, Sheridan, Ward, or Wells countty. This location is essential to ensure consistent oversight and regulation of establishments throughout the state.

• Conduct both planned and random compliance reviews across various commercial and private operations, including retail stores, restaurants, cold storage warehouses, distributors, salvage operators, renderers, brokers, and animal food manufacturers to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Monitor plant operations to ensure adherence to proper sanitation procedures, product handling, and food safety protocols.
• Investigate complaints, report violations, and take appropriate action as needed.
• Ensure compliance with labeling and product traceability requirements.
• Maintain detailed records of inspections, non-compliance issues, and corrective actions taken.
• Assist in the development and delivery of training programs for industry workers and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with federal agencies, including the USDA, to ensure regulatory alignment and effective communication.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Science, Animal Science, Biological Science, Chemical Science, Food Science, Nutrition Science, or a related field.
• Experience in the meat and poultry industry or food safety is highly preferred.
• Strong knowledge of state and federal meat and poultry regulations, including USDA standards.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to perform essential tasks independently with minimal supervision and demonstrate initiative in decision-making.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Teams.
• A valid Class D driver's license is required for in-state travel, including day trips and frequent overnight stays.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional experience in meat product slaughter or processing, or livestock handling.
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) or other related food safety systems.
• Working understanding of state and federal regulations pertaining to meat inspection.
• Experience in regulatory compliance or enforcement roles.
• Familiarity with federal and state inspection reports and associated documentation.
• Understanding of sanitation principles and standards as mandated by state and federal laws and regulations.

Application Procedures:

Applicants must complete the online application at www.nd.gov/careers before the closing date by 11:59 PM, including a resume, cover letter and college transcript(s) (official or unofficial). The cover letter must include a detailed summary of how your education, work experience, and skills qualify you for this position.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The Department of Agriculture does not provide sponsorships.

Applicants who experience technical difficulties during the application process should contact recruiter@nd.gov or 701.328.3290. For more information or if you need accommodation or assistance in the application or selection process, please contact Shelley Theisen, Huiman Resource Offer at (701) 328- 4757 or 1-800-242-7535.

About Team ND

"Far and away the best prize life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Theodore Roosevelt

More than 7,500 talented, hard-working people across sixty-three agencies have come together as Team North Dakota. At Team ND, we are driven to succeed through gratitude, humility, curiosity and courage. Our purpose is to empower people, improve lives, and inspire success. Join us in being legendary.

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Equal Employment Opportunity

The State of North Dakota and this hiring agency do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), genetics, religion, age or disability in employment or the provisions of services and complies with the provisions of the North Dakota Human Rights Act.

As an employer, the State of North Dakota prohibits smoking in all places of state employment in accordance with N.D.C.C. Sect. 23-12-10.