Food Safety Compliance Specialist 3 - Internal

Description

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.

If you process, manufacture, store or handle any food or dairy products for wholesale distribution, or if your custom slaughter or custom cut meat, you need to contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture Food Safety Program for licensing and/or inspection information.

The Food Safety Program performs a variety of public health investigations in cooperation with county, state health and federal food agencies to protect the public health. Our dual mission is to protect and reduce the risk to public health by assuring the safety of the State's food supply while facilitating the movement of Washington agricultural products in domestic and international markets. We do this by:

• Inspecting dairy farms and plants.
• Licensing dairy technicians.
• Inspecting and analyzing food products and food processing and handling; inspecting food storage establishments and practices.
• Issuing voluntary Hemp Extract Facility Certification.
• Issuing Export Certificates of Sanitation and Free Sale for food products manufactured in Washington State.
• Issuing licensing for Direct Sellers.
• Inspecting custom farm slaughterers, custom meat facilities.
• Inspecting eggs for quality and weight standards, set and enforce sanitary standards for egg graders.

Food businesses operating in the State of Washington that process and/or warehouse manufactured food products for distribution in commerce and resale by other food businesses must follow safe food handling and/or processing practices to protect the public from illness or injury caused by food consumed. Washington State laws, Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations adopted by WSDA, and WSDA regulations detail the specific food safety requirements. The vast majority of manufactured food firms licensed by WSDA successfully implement the required practices and maintain substantial compliance for operating in Washington State. Food Safety Compliance Specialists conduct food safety inspections of food facilities to verify the firm is operating in substantial compliance with the required laws and regulations.

The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 3 (FSCS 3) - Technical Review Specialist performs inspections, investigations and collect samples to protect the public from unsafe or adulterated food by evaluating conformance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. This position conducts complex food safety inspections in facilities that process or hold food products including but not limited to; food processors, dairy farms, dairy plants, custom meat facilities and trucks, egg handling facilities, poultry processors, and food warehouses. The FSCS 3 performs independent inspections to evaluate the sanitary and personnel conditions found in each facility based on the appropriate state law and applicable federal regulation while assessing conditions that may lead to increased risk to public health. As the FSCS 3 -Technical Review Specialist you will be responsible for reviewing advanced industry applications for food processing of all types to determine compliance with regulations governing legal food formulations. A significant part of this position's specialized duties is to, review Cottage Food and Cannabis-Infused Edibles (CIE) applications for legal formulations, enter inspection reports into various databases as well as coordinate with all regions to maintain uniformity of product approval. This position will coordinate both with industry and other agencies such as Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration for accuracy, consistency and completeness. A high degree of familiarity with the Food Safety Program laws, rules and policies is required to be successful in this position.

This specialist will work with the Training and Technical Projects Supervisor, Regional Managers, and other internal and external members to develop training material and job guides to improve the inspectional process for the program. This critical program position is also responsible for updating program management of potential problems with applications that may fall outside of regulatory standards.

Position and Salary Information

WSDA is recruiting for an internal full-time permanent Food Safety Compliance Specialist 3 (FSCS 3) - Technical Review Specialist position within the Food Safety Program in the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. This position is approved for a home duty station and is a Washington Public Employees Association represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: $59,616 Step A - $78,120 Step L annually.

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.

Employees who voluntarily provide proof of up-to-date COVID-19 booster vaccination, which must include any recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) at the time proof is provided to the employer, between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023, will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $1,000 to be paid no earlier than July 25, 2023.

Employee Benefits

• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• 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.
• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.

Duties

Some of what you'll do:

• Assist the program with improvement of product review procedures and identification of future enhancements.
• Coordinate and work with other state, local and federal agencies in actions, inspections, investigations and training dealing with issues of food safety.
• Provide recommendations to program staff based on regulatory standards and available scientific information.
• 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 license applicants with assistance to achieve licensing status including the review of construction and remodel plans for compliance.
• Provide ongoing review, feedback, and technical assistance to industry regarding product formulation, processing and labeling that meets current regulations.
• Conduct advanced technical reviews of all types of food applications including, but not limited to Cannabis-Infused Edibles, Cottage Foods, HACCP Plans, Food Safety Plans and supporting information.
• Base inspections on the appropriate state and/or federal regulation and program policy.
• Help develop training materials and participate in presentations related to product formulation approval considerations and other related topics.
• Assist the program in development and review of compliance cases as needed.
• Conduct federally mandated Grade ‘A’ Dairy testing of pasteurization equipment and evaluations of bulk milk haulers and samplers by written and practical examination.
• Provide clear and concise oral and written reports of inspection and investigation findings.
• Interface with industry to assess future needs and trends to help with program direction.
• Work in teams to develop, maintain and improve the program’s standards and processes for all staff.
• Evaluate firm’s control of public health risks by performing independent inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food.
• Provide documentation to include but not limited to; photographs, product labels or processing records.
• Organize and report significant non-compliance to Training and Technical Projects Supervisor and Region Manager for further action.
• Collect dairy product and water samples at mandated intervals to comply with federal regulation.
• Enter updates with product evaluations and plan reviews to the Food Safety data system in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide technical assistance and education to all industries and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance and enforcement.
• Discern between critical and minor violations and provides technical assistance to industry whenever possible.

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor's degree involving major study in business, microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, or a natural science in a closely allied field.

• Two years of equivalent public health regulatory-related experience or food manufacturing experience.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required.

• Citizen of US.
• No felonies/misdemeanors (excluding minor traffic offenses) or pending trials/investigations for such.
• Meets qualifications for FSCS position duties.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience in food processing, dairy processing, or of serving as an individual charged with enforcing laws or statutes.

Supplemental Information

• Current resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

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.