Produce Safety Field Inspector

State of Washington Dept. of Agriculture; Washington; Remote; USD 61,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedules

Teleworking

PPE provided

Holidays & leave accruals

Job summary

Washington State Department of Agriculture is recruiting a Produce Safety Field Inspector to conduct inspections, provide technical guidance, and support outreach across Washington. The role involves collaboration with farms, local health departments, and federal agencies to ensure PSR compliance and safe produce handling practices.

The position requires a bachelor’s degree in a related field and at least one year of relevant regulatory experience, plus the ability to obtain FDA commissioning

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in business, microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, environmental health or a closely allied field.
• One year of professional experience in a public health regulatory, food manufacturing environment, or produce/food-based agriculture industry.
• Ability to qualify for FDA Commissioning and obtain required qualifications (subject to change).
• Ability to obtain/maintain a valid driver's license and travel across Washington State.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Produce Safety inspections in accordance with state law and federal regulation.
• Perform field inspections and investigations, provide technical assistance, and participate in outreach activities.
• Develop and maintain inspection procedures aligned with state, Federal, and industry standards.
• Travel up to 80% of time to various locations throughout Washington for inspections and outreach.

Skills

Public health regulatory experience

Travel readiness / flexible travel

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, microbiology, food science, or closely related 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 agency includes 780 employees approximately 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 & 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.

The 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 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: Range 54 Step A $61,332 - Step L $80,496 annually.

What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

Conduct Produce Safety inspections in accordance with state law and federal regulation.

• 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.

Conduct outreach, informational, educational assignments as required.

• 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.

Who should apply?

• 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.

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.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

Work Authorization

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• 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, 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.

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.

Contact Us

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

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at [phone] or email [e-mail].

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.