Food Safety Compliance Specialist

State of Washington; Pasco (WA); On-site; USD 61,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Teleworking

Excellent benefits

Job summary

Washington State Department of Agriculture is seeking a Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 to conduct inspections, investigations and collect samples to protect public health. The role requires evaluating conformance with state and federal laws and regulations and may involve drafting enforcement-related documents.

The position is based in Washington state with travel statewide, and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

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

Responsibilities

• Perform inspections, investigations and collect samples to protect public health.
• Travel statewide for inspections and site visits.
• Prepare written reports and provide documentation for enforcement actions.
• Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation.

Skills

Public health regulatory experience

Food safety knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

FDA regulatory knowledge

Job description

Description

The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of September 11, 2026. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before September 10, 2026. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

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. The agency includes approximately 780 employees and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Food Safety Program Performs a Variety Of Public Health Investigations In Cooperation With County, State Health And Federal Food Agencies To Protect 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 and analyzing food products and food processing and handling; inspecting food storage establishments and practices.
• Inspecting dairy farms and plants.
• Inspecting eggs for quality and weight standards, setting and enforcing sanitary standards for egg graders.
• Inspecting custom farm slaughterers, custom meat facilities.
• Licensing dairy technicians.
• Issuing Export Certificates of Sanitation and Free Sale for food products manufactured in Washington State.
• Issuing licensing for Direct Sellers.
• Issuing voluntary Hemp Extract Facility Certification.

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 consumption. 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. Compliance Specialists conduct food safety inspections of food businesses to verify the facility is operating in substantial compliance with the required laws and regulations.

The purpose of the Compliance Specialist is to perform 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, produce farms, custom meat facilities and trucks, egg handling facilities, poultry processors, food warehouses, cottage food permits, cannabis infused edible processors and other food handlers as needed, to assess compliance with state and applicable federal regulations.

The Compliance Specialist conducts or is on track to conduct specialized inspections including the following food types along with the specific federal and state regulations that oversee their production; Seafood HACCP, Juice HACCP, Preventive Controls, and acidified products or LACF foods. This position performs independent inspections to evaluate conditions found in each facility based on the appropriate state law and applicable federal regulation. It will also independently assess conditions that may lead to increased risk to public health by discerning between minor and critical violations and create reports of inspection findings in a clear and concise manner. At times the position may be asked to participate in drafting sections of legal documents including compliance agreements or Notices of Intent to assess penalties or revocation of licenses.

This position issues embargoes and diversions as needed to protect public health. This position compiles evidence, photo documentation, written reports, and provides expert witness testimony in support of legal actions.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position within the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division. The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position is approved for a home duty station in Chelan or Okanogan County, WA but needs 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 position is represented by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA).

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 for this position is: Range 54 Step A $61,332 - Step L $80,496 annually.

Some Of What You'll Do

Conduct Food Safety Public Health Inspections

• Evaluate firm’s control of public health risks by performing independent inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food.
• Base inspections on the appropriate state and or federal regulation and program policy.
• Conduct federally mandated IMS and non-IMS Grade ‘A’ Dairy inspections, testing of pasteurization equipment, and evaluations of dairy technicians by practical examination.
• Discern between critical and significant violations and provide technical assistance to industry when appropriate.
• Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state agency vehicle.

Document and present of inspection and investigation findings

• Provide clear and concise verbal communication and written reports of inspection and investigation findings.
• Prepare written reports that serve as the foundation for initiation of enforcement actions including on-the-spot product diversions, embargo or stop sale actions.
• Provide documentation to include but not limited to; photographs, product labels or processing records.
• Assist the program in development and review of compliance cases as needed.
• Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state Motor pool vehicle.

Providing technical assistance, conducting informational training to the public, industry or to regulatory agency personnel.

• 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 aid 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.
• Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state Motor pool vehicle.

Collection and preparation of assigned routine samples and collection and preparation of samples relating to investigation of contamination or adulteration of for cause

• Collect dairy product and water samples at mandated intervals to comply with federal regulation.
• Sample food items routinely for scheduled surveillance testing.
• Conduct follow-up investigations in response to laboratory results.
• Participate in environmental swabbing events as part of FDA contract and state surveillance assignments.
• Investigate and sample when inspection observations indicate a potential for public health risk. Sampling activities may include focused aseptic environmental and product sampling to determine the extent or source of a particular issue of public health concern.
• Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state agency vehicle.

Conducting Food Safety Program public health investigations, traceback and recall effectiveness checks.

• Investigate consumer complaints per state policy and initiate appropriate action.
• Act as field support for recall effectiveness checks and other public health events.
• Take compliance actions such as embargo or stop sale to remove food from distribution.
• Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state agency vehicles.

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.

OR

• Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.

AND

• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver's license.
• One (1) year of professional experience in a public health regulatory food manufacturing environment.
• Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required. FDA Commission qualifications (subject to change, discretion, and further inquiry by FDA)

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.

In addition to the above qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will make a candidate highly desirable

• Two (2) years of equivalent public health regulatory related experience and/or three (3) years of quality control experience in a food or dairy processing plant.
• Experience in food processing, dairy processing, or of serving as an individual charged with enforcing laws or statutes.

Supplemental Information

Employee Benefits

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

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at [e-mail].

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.