Manufactured Food Specialist Or Manufactured Food Advisor - Agricultural Specialist Or Agricultural Advisor

Working Title: Manufactured Food Specialist or Manufactured Food Advisor
Job Class: Agricultural Specialist or Agricultural Advisor
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Job Class Option: Food
• FLSA Status: Nonexempt
• Who May Apply: Open to bidders and to all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bids accepted through 05/30/2023.
• Travel Required: Yes
• Date Posted: 05/24/2023
• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Minnesota Department of Agriculture / Agriculture-MAPE
• Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
• Classified Status: Classified
• Telework Eligible: No
• Salary Range: $22.94 - $33.30 / hourly; $47,898 - $69,530 / annually
• Closing Date: 06/13/2023
• Days of Work: Monday - Friday
• Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities: Yes
• Division/Unit: Food and Feed Safety Division / Manufactured Food Safety A Stf

Make a difference in the lives of Minnesotans.

The work you’ll do is more than just a job. Join the talented, engaged and inclusive workforce dedicated to creating a better Minnesota.

This position is based out the inspector’s home office and will cover an area/territory of NW Minnesota. The preferred home office location will be centrally located within the territory, including but not limited to Beltrami, Clearwater, Polk and Pennington counties.

This professional position is responsible for the implementation and enforcement of state statutes, rules and policies for the Manufactured Food Program, Food and Feed Safety Division, to ensure a safe and wholesome food supply and to protect against fraudulent practices and misbranding of food products.

This position is a remote worker position which is defined as, an employee who, as a condition of their appointment, has their home or alternative location as the assigned work location, works permanently from that location, and does not have an agency permanent/principal work location. Currently the MDA does not allow remote work locations outside of the State of Minnesota. For more information refer to HR/LR Policy #1447 Remote Worker Policy: https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1447-remoteworker.pdf

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

Agricultural Specialist - To qualify for the Agricultural Specialist level, applicants met meet the following qualifications:

• The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
• A bachelor's degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in science courses.
• Must be educationally qualified to obtain certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association.
• Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.

Agricultural Advisor - To qualify for the Agricultural Advisor level, applicants met meet the following qualifications:

• Must currently possess and maintain certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association or obtain within 2 years of appointment to the position.
• A bachelor's degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in science courses PLUS one (1) year of experience conducting manufactured food regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, food safety plans); or equivalent.
• Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
• The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

Agricultural Specialist

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience, skill, and comfort with public speaking.
• Experience with regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, compliance, enforcement) in manufactured food establishments.
• Certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association.
• Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• An advanced degree such as a Master’s degree in Biology, Chemistry, Epidemiology, Public or Environmental Health, Animal or Food Science, or a related field.

Agricultural Advisor

• More than two (2) years of experience with regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, food safety plans) in manufactured food establishments.
• A Master’s degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Epidemiology, Public or Environmental Health, Animal or Food Science, or a related field.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience, skill, and comfort with public speaking.
• Experience training and/or evaluating inspections of internal and external regulatory staff.
• Experience leading or coordinating projects.
• Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.

Physical Requirements

Agricultural Specialists and Agricultural Advisors conduct inspections and investigations in the field as needed to ensure compliance with State food safety laws and regulations. The work requires the ability to:

Additional Requirements

It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as a part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check for this position may include an Employment Records Check and a Reference Check. The background check may consist of the following components.

• Employment Reference Check
• SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
• Conflict of Interest Review
• Driver's License Check

How to Apply

Select “Apply for Job” at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected]. For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers.

If you have questions about the position, contact Lowell Urban at [email protected] or 218-485-5404.

To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Jennifer Romero at [email protected].

About Minnesota Department of Agriculture

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) has served our state for more than 125 years. The work we do touches every Minnesota citizen every day.

Our mission is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy.

Our three general areas of responsibility include:

• Cultivating our agricultural economy.
• Protecting our natural resources; and,
• Protecting our food supply;

Why Work for Us

The mission of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is to enhance all Minnesotans’ quality of life by equitably ensuring the integrity of our food supply, the health of our environment, and the strength and resilience of our agricultural economy. In this role you will be a key member in a collaborative team that has a direct impact on public health and the safety of Minnesotan’s, by working directly with a diverse group retail food operators. This position is an opportunity to be on the front lines of a quality regulatory program.

Diverse Workforce

We are committed to continually developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our state and the populations we serve. The varied experiences and perspectives of employees strengthen the work we do together and our ability to best serve the people of Minnesota.

A recent engagement survey of State of Minnesota employees found:

• 87% of employees report flexibility in their work schedule
• 91% of employees feel trusted to do their jobs
• 88% of employees feel equipped to look at situations from other cultural perspectives when doing their job
• 95% of employees understand how their work helps achieve their agency’s mission

Comprehensive Benefits

Our benefits aim to balance four key elements that make life and work meaningful: health and wellness, financial well-being, professional development, and work/life harmony. As an employee, your benefits may include:

• Employer paid life insurance
• Federal Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
• Prescription drug coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Training and professional development
• Short-term and long-term disability
• Health care spending and savings accounts
• Paid parental leave
• Wellness programs and resources
• Tax-deferred compensation
• Tuition reimbursement
• Low-cost medical and dental coverage
• Vision coverage
• Paid vacation and sick leave
• Public pension plan
• 11 paid holidays each year
• Dependent care spending account

Programs, resources and benefits eligibility varies based on type of employment, agency, funding availability, union/collective bargaining agreement, location, and length of service with the State of Minnesota.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota state agencies are equal opportunity, affirmative action, and veteran-friendly employers. The State of Minnesota recognizes that a diverse workforce is essential and strongly encourages qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply.

We will make reasonable accommodations to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [email protected] and indicate what assistance is needed.