Salary: $56,676.00 – $76,188.00 Annually
Location: Multiple Locations – Eastern Washington, WA
Job Type: Full Time – Permanent
Closing Date: 12/17/2023 12:00 AM Pacific

Two (2) positions with a home office located on one of the following areas: 

One (1) located in – Chelan / Douglas / Okanogan 

One (1) located in – Grant / Adams

The Food Safety Program is responsible for regulation, licensing, and inspection of food processing facilities, food storage warehouses, dairy farms and processing plants, cottage food operations, custom meat facilities, eggs, and cannabis-infused edibles. The program also works closely with the dairy industry to maintain the ability to ship milk and milk products out-of-state, as well as with FDA and the Department of Health in conducting investigations of facilities and collecting samples for testing. Food safety also issues export certificates. The Food Safety Program is a part of the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division. The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position performs inspections, investigations, and sample collection to protect public health from unsafe adulterated food by gaining compliance with state laws and federal regulations. Travel and the ability to work independently is required to conduct in-depth food inspections in facilities that process or hold food products including food processors and food storage warehouses; dairy farms; dairy plants; custom meat facilities, custom slaughter plants and trucks; cannabis-infused edibles facilities; egg handling facilities; poultry processors and other food handlers. This position compiles evidence, photo documentation, written reports, and provides expert witness testimony in support of legal actions.

Position and Salary Information

WSDA is recruiting for multiple permanent full-time Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 in the Food Safety Program. These positions are approved for home duty stations but need to be willing and able to travel statewide for inspections. Some workdays may be outside a typical 8-hour schedule and occasional weekend work may be necessary.  The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 positions are represented by the Washington Public Employees Association.

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: $56,676 Step A – $74,376 Step L annually. 

Some of what you’ll do: 

• Evaluate firm’s control of public health risks by performing independent inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food. Inspections are based on the appropriate state and/or federal regulation and program policy.
• Conduct federally mandated Grade ‘A’ Dairy testing of pasteurization equipment and evaluation of bulk milk haulers and samplers by written and practical examination.
• Discern between critical and minor violations and provides technical assistance to industry whenever possible.
• Provide clear and concise oral and written reports of inspection and investigation findings.
• Assist the program in development and review of compliance cases as needed.
• Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
• 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 documentation to include but not limited to; photographs, product labels, or processing records.
• Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
• Provide applicants with technical assistance to achieve licensing status including the review of construction and remodel plans for compliance.
• Participate in developing technical brochures and factsheets to provide assistance and education to stakeholders, peers, and other regulatory officials.
• Coordinate and work with other state, local and federal agencies in actions, inspections, investigations, and training dealing with issues of food safety.
• Act as field support for recall effectiveness checks and other public health related events.
• Processes often involve compliance processes such as embargo or stop sale actions to remove food from distribution.

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.

• One year of professional experience in a public health regulatory food manufacturing environment.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license. 
• Must be able to provide their own functional home internet connection and sufficient workspace as this position is an assigned home office workstation.
• Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required. 

Additional experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.

FDA Commission qualifications (subject to change, discretion, and further inquiry by FDA):

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

Desired Qualifications: 

• Two (2) years of equivalent public health regulatory-related experience.

• Three (3) years of quality control experience in a food or dairy processing plant.

How to apply 
You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• Current resume detailing experience and education.

• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position.

• One page of a writing sample on any topic.

For more information: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/washington/jobs/4200247/food-safety-compliance-specialist-2-eastern-region