Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 (in-training)
Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 (in-training)
- Description
The Washington State Department of Agriculture services the people of Washington by supporting the agricultural community and promoting consumer and environmental protection.The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been serving the state’s agriculture community and the public for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, WSDA supports the viability and vitality of agriculture while protecting consumers, public health and the environment. We employ anywhere from 750-1,200 employees in fields like brand inspection, food safety, international marketing, environmental science, and information technology. While we do have offices statewide, this permanent, full-time position will work out of a home-based office in either Pierce or Thurston County.
In this in-training position you will start as a Food Safety Compliance Specialist 1 (Range 46 $3,276 – $4,292 monthly). You will be provided with online and in-person training to ensure you have the knowledge and certifications needed to progress to the final job classification of Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 (Range 54 $3,985 – $5,229).
As a fully-trained Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 (formerly known as Food Safety Officer), you will be conducting inspections, collecting samples and completing investigations relating to food safety compliance in order to protect the public from unsafe adulterated food. We are searching for individuals with three years’ experience in public health, a Bachelor’s degree in closely allied field and a passion for continuous learning who desire to make a difference in our local community through regulation and enforcement.
For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.govSome of what you will be doing:
This position performs journey-level work including inspections, investigations, and sample collection to protect the public from unsafe adulterated food by gaining compliance with state laws and federal regulations. Travel is required within assigned area to conduct in-depth food and safety inspections in facilities that process or hold food products including; food processors; dairy farms; dairy plants; custom meat facilities; custom slaughter plants; custom farm slaughter trucks; egg handling facilities; poultry processors; food warehouses; dietary supplement manufacturers; and other food handlers to asses compliance with state laws and federal regulations and is familiar with regulations for Seafood HACCP and Juice HACCP.- Conduct Food Safety Program public health inspections and investigations.
- Perform independent audits of conditions found on each inspection of licensed or unlicensed facilities that hold, pack, transfer, or produce food.
- Conduct federally mandated tests of dairy pasteurizing equipment.
- Evaluate and license official milk haulers and samplers a well as other dairy pasteurizer operators.
- Provides technical assistance and education to all industries as well as the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance and enforcement.
- Collects and prepares assigned routine samples as well as samples relating to the investigation of contamination or adulteration of food to ensure compliance with federal regulation.
- Remains prepared to respond to all hazard emergencies involving food. Must participate in emergency management training, drills and exercises to help ensure preparedness for nuclear, chemical, natural or man-made disasters.
In this position you will be exposed to farm animals, loud noises, unpleasant odors and extreme temperatures; walk on rough and uneven ground; work on, under and around large machinery and moving parts and occasionally climb ladders or walk on open metal scaffolding in high places; Lift large or heavy objects such as a cooler loaded with samples (between 5-50lbs).
Required Qualifications:
- A Bachelor’s degree with a major study in public health, environmental health, food science, agriculture, horticulture, or allied science or closely related field with a minimum of 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in natural or physical sciences.
- Three years of professional work experience in public health.
-OR-- A Master’s degree involving major study in one of the areas listed above.
- Two years of professional work experience in public health.
-PLUS-- Strong organizational skills and experience in developing and implementing inspection standards.
- Ability to work with minimal guidance in pursuit of established program goals and objectives.
- Demonstrated skill and ability to grasp ideas and concepts and create tangible results including the ability to track and organize work product and results for self and others.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience developing and delivering presentations to varied audiences.
- Excellent interpersonal communication skills including experience coordinating efforts of multiple partners and managing projects with overlapping or competing timelines.
- Strong public speaking experience and proven sound judgement in representing an agency or organization to a wide variety of stakeholders.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s license.
- Ability to obtain and maintain a FDA commission within 90 days of employment.
Desired Qualifications:
- Prior experience working with food industry and understanding of production agriculture in the context of public health practices.
- Demonstrated capability to lead/influence, plan and organize self and others.
How do I apply?
In addition to completing the online application, applicants must attach the following documents to their profile in order to be considered for this position:- Letter of interest describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position;
- Current resume detailing experience and education
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.
To take advantage of Veteran’s preference please attach your DD-214, member 4 long form, or your NGB-22.Please black out your social security number prior to attaching.
Applications with comments such as “see attachments” or “N/A” in the supplemental question responses will be considered incomplete.
General suggestions for creating a good application packet:
- Read the job posting very carefully. Find out as much as you can about the position.
- Make sure you are very diligent in following all the application instructions. Include all requested documentation.
- Make sure your application and supplemental question responses address how you meet each of the required and desired qualifications.
- Carefully read each of the supplemental questions and respond completely to each one. Pay careful attention to each component of the question, providing examples, and thoroughly describing when and where you achieved the proficiency level, and detail the types of work you performed, the work products, etc., to demonstrate ‘how’.
- Specifically include all of your work experiences doing the same or similar work, especially if you reference work in these jobs in describing when/where you gained proficiency level skills.
- Make sure your application reflects your best writing.
If you are unable to apply on-line, please contact Lyndsey Beaupre, Recruiter, at (360) 902-2020 or jobs@agr.wa.gov. Please include your last name and the position title in the subject line of your email.
Supplemental Information:
NOTE: As a condition of employment, this position is covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Employees are required to pay regular union dues or non-association fees, (due to religious tenets) within 30 calendar days following employment.Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal 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 Resource Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.
The State of Washington actively supports diversity in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants who need assistance in the application process or who need this announcement in an alternative format may call (360) 902-2020 or the Telecommunications Device for the Deaf at 800-833-6388
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More than Just a Paycheck!Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That’s why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work. Check with the agency human resource office for specific benefit information.Insurance BenefitsEmployees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state. Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts. To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website.Retirement and Deferred CompensationState Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems‘ web site.Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Vacation (Annual Leave)You begin accruing vacation starting your first month of employment. Since we value your loyalty, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year. Vacation accrues for full-time employees per WAC 357-31-165.Holidays
Full-time employees are entitled to eleven* paid holidays:HOLIDAYDATENew Year’s DayJanuary 1Martin Luther King, Jr’s birthdayThird Monday in JanuaryPresidents’ DayThird Monday in FebruaryMemorial DayLast Monday in MayIndependence DayJuly 4Labor DayFirst Monday in SeptemberVeterans’ DayNovember 11Thanksgiving DayFourth Thursday in November & Friday afterChristmas DayDecember 25Personal HolidayEmployee’s selection each calendar year*Employees who are members of certain Unions are entitled to an additional personal leave day of their choice. Please refer to specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Social SecurityAll state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.Sick LeaveFull-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Paid sick leave may be used for reasons included in WAC 357-31-130.Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information.
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01Please select the answer that best describes your level of education:
- High School Diploma or GED
- Associate’s degree
- Bachelor’s degree in unrelated field
- Bachelor’s degree including 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in natural or physical sciences.
- Master’s degree or higher in unrelated field
- Master’s degree or higher including 30 semester or 45 quarter hours in natural or physical sciences.
02Do you have professional work experience in public health?- Yes
- No
03If you answered “yes” to question number 2, please describe this experience. Include your role, type of organization and length of time in the role. If you answered “no” please write N/A.04Do you have experience developing and implementing inspection standards?- Yes
- No
05Please describe a time when you had to prepare and present information to an audience. Include the size and type of audience as well as topic of presentation if possible.06Do you have prior experience working with the food industry or an understanding of production agriculture?- Yes
- No
07How did you hear about this career opportunity (select all that apply)?- Washington State’s career website: www.careers.wa.gov
- Washington State Work Source office or website (Go2WorkSource.com)
- Washington State employee
- Dept. of Agriculture’s career website: www.agr.wa.gov/employment
- Agriculture Recruiter
- College/university career fair or website
- Diversity network meeting/event
- Online job boards
- Other
Required Question
- Agency
- State of Washington
- Address
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View Job Posting for Agency Information
View Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504.
- Phone
- View Posting for Agency Contact
- Website
- http://www.careers.wa.gov