For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov

Some 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.

• A Master’s degree involving major study in one of the areas listed above.
• Two years of professional work experience in public health.

• 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