What are the responsibilities and job description for the Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position at State of Washington Dept. of Agriculture?
Description
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This recruitment is open until filled.
The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of March 3, 2025. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before March 2, 2025. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.
AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy
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 approximately 780 employees 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.
We are hiring for a full time permanent Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 to join our team in King County!
The Food Safety Program is responsible for regulation, licensing, and inspection of food processing facilities, food storage warehouses, dairy farms and processing plants, cottage food operations, custom meat facilities, eggs, and cannabis-infused edibles. The program also works closely with the dairy industry to maintain the ability to ship milk and milk products out-of-state, as well as with FDA and the Department of Health in conducting investigations of facilities and collecting samples for testing. Food safety also issues export certificates. The Food Safety Program is a part of the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division.
This Food Safety Compliance Specialist position is approved for a home duty station but needs to be willing and able to travel statewide for inspections. Some workdays may be outside a typical 8-hour schedule and occasional weekend work may be necessary.
The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position is represented by the Washington Public Employees Association.
In addition to the salary listed above, incumbents with a home-duty station in King County receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay stipend
Duties
Some of what you'll do:
- Evaluate firm's control of public health risks by performing independent inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food. Inspections are based on the appropriate state and/or federal regulation and program policy.
- Conduct federally mandated Grade 'A' Dairy testing of pasteurization equipment and evaluation of bulk milk haulers and samplers by written and practical examination.
- Discern between critical and minor violations and provides technical assistance to industry whenever possible.
- Provide clear and concise oral and written reports of inspection and investigation findings.
- Assist the program in development and review of compliance cases as needed.
- Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
- Prepare written reports that serve as the foundation for initiation of enforcement actions including on-the-spot product diversions (voluntary option to avoid embargo), embargo or stop sale actions.
- Provide documentation to include but not limited to; photographs, product labels, or processing records.
- Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
- Provide applicants with technical assistance to achieve licensing status including the review of construction and remodel plans for compliance.
- Participate in developing technical brochures and factsheets to provide assistance and education to stakeholders, peers, and other regulatory officials.
- Collect dairy product and water samples at mandated intervals to comply with federal regulation.
- Conduct follow-up investigations in response to laboratory results.
- Coordinate and work with other state, local and federal agencies in actions, inspections, investigations, and training dealing with issues of food safety.
- Investigate and sample when inspection observations indicate a potential for public health risk. Sampling activities may include focused aseptic environmental and product sampling to determine the extent or source of a particular issue of public health concern.
- Investigate consumer complaints per state policy and initiates appropriate action.
- Act as field support for recall effectiveness checks and other public health related events.
- Processes often involve compliance processes such as embargo or stop sale actions to remove food from distribution.
Qualifications
Who should apply?
Professionals with:
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor's degree involving major study in microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, business or a natural science in a closely allied field. Note - Additional qualifying experience will substitute year for year, for education.
AND
- Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
- Must be able to provide their own functional home internet connection and sufficient workspace as this position is an assigned home office workstation.
- Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required.
FDA Commission qualifications (subject to change, discretion, and further inquiry by FDA):
- Meets qualifications for FSCS position duties.
- Citizen of US.
- No felonies/misdemeanors (excluding minor traffic offenses) or pending trials/investigations for such.
Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position -If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your past experience relates to them, please contact us at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov. Don’t hesitate to apply!
Supplemental Information
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.
- Commute Trip Reduction Program.
Public employees in Washington State can take comfort in the security of their retirement funds. Our state pension system, administered through the Department of Retirement Systems, is 96% funded. This places us among the Top 5 pension systems in the nation!
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.
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:
- Current resume detailing experience and education.
- A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.
- One page of a writing sample on any topic.
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. Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.
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.
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 Recruitment@agr.wa.gov. 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.
