Produce Safety Field Inspector

State of Washington; East Wenatchee (WA); Remote; USD 61,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Teleworking

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

Washington State Department of Agriculture seeks a Produce Safety Field Inspector to conduct field inspections and investigations, provide technical assistance, and participate in outreach to producers and industry partners. The role emphasizes protecting public health by ensuring compliance with PSR and FSMA standards.

The position requires a bachelor’s in a related field, one year of regulatory or food industry experience, and eligibility for FDA commissioning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field as described.
• One year of professional experience in a public health regulatory, food manufacturing environment, or produce/food-based agriculture industry.
• Must qualify for FDA Commissioning: U.S. citizen, no felonies, valid driver's license, able to travel across Washington.

Responsibilities

• Conduct produce safety field investigations and inspections on farms, packing and handling facilities.
• Analyze production claims and provide guidance to meet PSR requirements.
• Review on-farm records to ensure PSR compliance and provide reports.
• Travel across Washington state to attend meetings, trainings, and inspections.
• Record interactions in the inspection tracking system and maintain data quality.

Education

Bachelor's degree involving major study in business, microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, environmental health or a degree in a closely allied field

Job 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.

The Food Safety & Consumer Services (FSCS) Division is one of the seven divisions in the Washington State Department of Agriculture. The FSCS Division serves consumers and stakeholders in the state of Washington by assuring the availability, safety, and integrity of the state's human and animal food supply. The division is made up of approximately 100+ FTEs through five statewide programs, including: Animal Feed, FSCS Laboratory, Food Safety, Organic, and Produce Safety. We also house the Rapid Response Team that manages food and feed emergency responses.

The Produce Safety Program is primarily responsible for promoting compliance with the federal Produce Safety Rule (PSR) under Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR Part 112. The PSR requires farms to adhere to prescriptive measures intended to minimize food safety risks during growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce for human consumption. The program is funded through a federal cooperative agreement program.

Opportunity

The Produce Safety Field Inspector must be able to be commissioned by FDA to perform work concerning present and future environmental issues relating to food safety and must work with industry to bring production/facility sites into compliance with FSMA requirements.

This position's purpose is to conduct field inspections and investigations, provide technical assistance, and assist with/participate/conduct outreach and other activities. These activities assist in protecting the public from unsafe or adulterated produce by ensuring compliance with state laws and federal regulations.

The Produce Safety Field Inspector position will work in collaboration with a wide range of internal and external agencies, farms, and organizations such as produce growers, local health departments, and federal agencies. The position also partners with Agricultural extension agencies, commodity commissions and associations to achieve regulatory compliance and understanding of the PSR.

Produce Safety Field Inspectors will assist in the development and improvement of policies, procedures, practices and the federal Produce Safety Regulatory Standards. These actions will be based on practical experience gained and shared by this position.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position within the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. This position is home-based in Chelan or Okanogan, Washington. This position is not represented.

The typical starting salary range for this position is: Range 54 Step A $61,332 - Step L $80,496 annually.

Duties

• Conduct produce safety field investigations and inspections and monitor activity on farms, packing and handling facilities to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations related to safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding practices of produce. The position may entail up to 80% or more travel for any given month throughout Washington.
• Scientifically analyze and evaluate food safety production claims and guarantees in order to substantiate PSR requirements; provide scientific guidance and recommendations of appropriate actions pertaining to PSR requirements; and request additional data from producers and/or industry organizations as needed.
• Determine and evaluate production impacts on environmental systems in order to assess PSR impacts.
• Regularly confer with and advise the Produce Safety Supervisor on any industry and inspection issues to ensure the appropriate procedures, guidelines, and processes are adhered to, and report egregious conditions to the Produce Safety Supervisor as soon as possible.
• Write clear reports and give oral updates that match the PSR.
• Ensure industry standards and PSR requirements of applicable assessment procedures are met by reviewing on-farm records to ensure uniformity and accuracy throughout statewide programs.
• Implement, update, and maintain inspection procedures adhering to state, Federal, and industry standards.
• Respond to inquiries from industry, by written correspondence or phone, regarding environmental issues related to produce safety compliance.
• While driving an agency assigned vehicle or approved mode of transportation, travel to various locations throughout the state to attend meetings, training, conferences, and workshops and/or participate in presentations on produce safety analyses related to the Produce Safety Program.
• Use the Inspection tracking system and current database to record all interactions for assigned entities.
• Work in conjunction with Inspection Analyst and other personnel to maintain database organization and a complete aggregate data set used in reporting and entity verifications.
• Enter data into current database of inspection results and assignments.
• Complete an annual inspection calibration with Field Inspector Supervisor.
• Complete initial and continuing education requirements as assigned.

Outreach and Educational Assignments

• Conduct outreach to assist growers in understand their coverage status, prepare them for an inspection, and/or provide general education.
• Develop materials and technical aids for relevant documents or electronic resources to assist in produce safety education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in business, microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, environmental health or a degree in a closely allied field. Additional experience will substitute for education on a year for year basis.
• One (1) year of professional experience in a public health regulatory, food manufacturing environment, or produce or food-based agriculture industry. Additional qualifying experience will substitute, year for year, for education.
• 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):
  • Meets qualifications for FSCS position duties.
  • Citizen of U.S.A.
  • No felonies/misdemeanors
• Must be able to obtain and/or maintain a valid driver's license and be able to operate a state or rental vehicle and travel across Washington State to conduct inspections as assigned.
• Preferred/Desired Qualifications:
  • Experience with USDA GAP/GHP audits and standards. Prior experience with agricultural environments and food processing.
  • Bi-lingual in Spanish is a plus.

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; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.

More than Just a Paycheck!

Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Insurance Benefits

Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement And Deferred Compensation

State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security

All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays

Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.

Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave

Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.

Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)

Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Military Leave

Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave

Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave

Leave Sharing

Parental Leave

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026

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.

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 [phone]. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

Work Authorization

• Candidates who are offered a job with WSDA must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future;
• WSDA complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• WSDA does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.
• Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.