White County Food Sanitarian

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. White County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Food Sanitarian for the White County Health Department, responsible for investigating food-related health complaints within the County, conducting inspections of food establishments, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local health codes.

DUTIES:

Inspects all food service and retail food establishments within the County, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local sanitation regulations. Advises and instructs proprietors in rules, regulations, and proper procedures and practices concerning food sanitation.

Conducts follow-up investigations as individual cases require and takes appropriate action, including issuing and/or denying permits, requesting administrative hearings, and/or closing establishments for non-compliance with requirements.

Reviews blueprints and specifications of proposed new construction or extensive remodeling of food establishments for compliance with regulations, including inspecting work sites during various stages of construction.

Inspects all food and beverages remaining in a food establishment or storage facility after a fire, flood, power failure, and/or delivery breakdown/wreck for condemnation of damaged goods and assures proper disposal of contaminated foods.

Conducts food-borne illness investigations, including locating and interviewing affected persons, tracking down source of illness, collecting and submitting food, stool, and vomit samples for Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) testing, and eliciting information from medical personnel as necessary. Participates in and enforces food recall efforts.

Maintains detailed records of inspections, complaints, and investigations. Prepares and submits related reports as required.

Completes and submits a variety of reports to regulating agencies as required.

Responds to health and sanitation inquiries and provides consultation, technical assistance, training, and program information to the food industry, consumers, and other agencies as requested.

Sends letters to all yearly and seasonal establishments, markets, and schools to renew Health Department permits and update inspection list.

Attends meetings of the Alcoholic Beverage Board (ABC) and provides recommendations on White County food establishment liquor renewals and/or new permit status in accordance with the IDOH and the Alcohol and Tobacco Commission guidelines.

Provides news releases to the media as necessary or appropriate. Makes presentations to small groups in restaurants and schools regarding safe health practices.

Testifies in legal proceedings/court as required.

Attends staff meetings, professional education workshops, and training seminars.

Responds to emergencies on a 24-hour basis as required.

Performs related duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS:

High school diploma or HSE with minimum two (2) years of experience working in the food service industry in a supervisory or management capacity.

Must be at least 21 years of age.

Possession of or ability to obtain required certifications/licenses, including Food Safety Inspector certification.

Ability to meet all department hiring requirements, including passage of a drug test.

Thorough knowledge of and ability to make practical application of standard policies and practices of the White County Health Department.

Thorough knowledge of standard principles and practices of public health sanitation and proper food storage, handling, and service, with ability to effectively evaluate and instruct members of the public in application of appropriate procedures.

Working knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations governing food sanitation, and ability to conduct effective investigations of food-related establishments and take action to ensure compliance with all legal requirements.

Working knowledge of standard office procedures and Department computer programs, and ability to apply such knowledge to a variety of interrelated processes, tasks, and operations.

Working knowledge of and ability to properly operate a variety of food testing equipment, such as thermometers, pH meter, temperature measuring devices, internal food probes, light meter, thermocouples and microscope.

Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare detailed written reports within established deadlines.

Knowledge of standard filing systems and ability to create and maintain department records and files.

Ability to operate standard office equipment, such as computer, calculator, copier, fax machine, telephone, and cell phone.

Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, IDOH, other county health departments, Federal Drug Administration (FDA), food vendors, and the public, including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.

Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of Department information and records according to state requirements.

Shall comply with all employer and Department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.

Ability to competently serve the public with diplomacy and respect, including occasional encounters with irate/hostile persons.

Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out oral and written instructions and present findings in oral or written form.

Ability to compile, compare, analyze, and evaluate data, and make determinations based on data analysis.

Ability to count, compute, and perform arithmetic calculations.

Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment, often amidst frequent distractions, interruptions, and time constraints, and on several tasks at the same time.

Ability to apply knowledge of people and locations, plan and layout work assignments, and manage time and resources effectively.

Ability to read and interpret detailed manuals, codes, and regulations.

Ability to maintain positive community support and present public speaking engagements.

Ability to occasionally testify in legal proceedings/court.

Ability to occasionally work extended hours, evenings, and/or weekends and occasionally respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.

II. DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

Incumbent performs a wide range of duties that involve consideration of many variables. Majority of duties are performed within clear and well-defined guidelines that are applied to specific tasks. Incumbent exercises judgment when inspecting food establishments and investigating food-related illnesses, evaluating compliance with sanitation requirements, and determining appropriate action for non-compliance.

III. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent enforces sanitation requirements, including requesting Board of Health hearings or closing establishments as deemed appropriate. Goals and objectives of incumbent's work are known and work is periodically reviewed for adherence to guidelines and instructions, compliance with Department policy, and effect on Department goals and objectives. Unusual problems or significant deviations from standards are reviewed with supervisor as needed. Incumbent receives indirect or occasional supervision and makes decisions based on specific instructions or existing, well-established policies and procedures.

IV. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent contact with co-workers, other County departments, IDOH, other county health departments, Federal Drug Administration (FDA), food vendors, and the public for purposes of exchanging information, explaining, interpreting, and enforcing regulations, providing instruction/guidance, and resolving problems.

Incumbent reports directly to Health Officer.

V. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a standard office environment and in the field performing inspections, involving sitting/walking at will, standing/walking for long periods, lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling objects weighing up to 25 pounds, bending, reaching, crouching/kneeling/stooping, exposure to extreme hot or cold temperatures from ovens or walk-in freezers, close/far vision, color/depth perception, hearing sounds, speaking clearly, handling/grasping/fingering objects, keyboarding, and driving. Incumbent maintains exposure to health hazards associated with investigations of food-borne illness for which safety precautions must be followed at all times. Incumbent maintains considerable contact with the public and may be exposed to irate/hostile persons.

Incumbent is occasionally required to work extended hours, evenings, and/or weekends and occasionally respond to emergencies on a 24-hour basis.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $25.52 per hour

Expected hours: 35 per week

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Education:

• High school or equivalent (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $26