Food Safety Specialist #01297

DHRM; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 49,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services seeks a Food Safety Specialist to evaluate food processes, enforce the Virginia Food and Drink Law, and support safe food practices across manufacturing and retail settings.

You will work from a home office in the assigned territory, travel as needed, and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations while maintaining relationships with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of food safety practices and principles.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate food processing facilities for safety and labeling.
• Investigate complaints and conduct foodborne illness investigations.
• Collect samples and review new food business proposals.

Skills

Food safety knowledge

Regulatory interpretation

Communication skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Education

HS Diploma/GED

Job description

Title: Food Safety Specialist #01297

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $49,392 – $64,680

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a self-motivated person to become part of our Food Safety team. This position is responsible for the evaluation of food processes and the enforcement of the Virginia Food and Drink Law and related federal and state regulations. Duties include evaluating the condition of food processing facilities relative to food safety; assisting new and existing food processing technologies and food labeling at manufacturing operations and retail food establishments; investigating complaints; conducting food borne illness investigations; collecting official samples of food and food related products; reviewing new food business proposals and assisting in the development of safe food processes; and evaluating and interpreting nutritional related claims for foods and dietary supplements.

The selected individual will establish and work from a home office under the guidance and direction of a regional field office and will be required to live in or convenient to the assigned territory. The home office must have reliable access to a network for mobile communications. The work territory includes the cities/counties of Albermarle and Charlottesville. A state vehicle will be provided for business use only and must remain parked within the assigned territory.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of food safety practices and principles. Knowledge of food processing theory and practice. Knowledge of dietary supplement safety, structure function claims and labeling. Fundamental knowledge of computer applications. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment. Ability to effectively communicate, both written and orally. Ability to interpret and apply applicable laws and regulations. Ability to make autonomous decisions and to take appropriate actions in diverse circumstances and environments. Ability to provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external clients. Ability to effectively respond to emergency situations and other assigned duties during both traditional and non-traditional work periods. Ability to be self-motivated. Ability to effectively plan and organize work activities. Appropriate visual acuity including the ability to see and identify small objects and the ability to identify and distinguish colors. Physical mobility including, but not limited to walking, bending, stretching and crouching. Ability to lift light loads up to 40 lbs. Ability to attend mandatory meetings, trainings, etc. and to travel (day and overnight to possibly include weekends) as requested/needed. The selected individual will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining a commissioner with Pocket Credentials as an official of the Department of Health and Human Services, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and within 18 months of hire will be responsible for becoming and maintaining Standardized for Retail inspections credentials. Must have (or be eligible for) and maintain a valid driver’s license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. HS Diploma/GED required.

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge of food science, biology, chemistry, environmental health or a related field. Experience applying food safety principles, food processing and related quality and safety controls at the government level.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact [e-mail].

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.

If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.

Advertised: 22 Sep 2026 Eastern Daylight Time

Applications close: 07 Oct 2026 Eastern Daylight Time