Public Health Sanitarian

Association of Food and Drug Officials (AFDO); Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is recruiting for a full-time Public Health Sanitarian (Egg Inspector) for the Egg Inspection Program. The duty post is at Hickmans Egg Ranch in the Arlington/Tonopah Arizona area.

Responsibilities include extensive environmental sanitation inspections of USDA shell egg plants, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and preparing USDA certificates. Training will be provided for egg grading as needed.

Qualifications

• Must possess a USDA shell egg grader license or be eligible to obtain one.
• No prior egg grading experience required; training will be provided.
• Ability to lift up to sixty pounds.
• Knowledge of the Egg Product Inspection Act and related regulations.
• Experience with USDA shell egg processing plants and certificates is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Inspect sites and enforce statutes.
• Test eggs and egg products; candle eggs for quality.
• Check cooler temperatures and labeling; retain nonconforming product.
• Prepare USDA certificates and maintain USDA files.
• Rotate between Arlington and Tonopah facilities; overtime may be required.

Skills

Attention to detail

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Documentation

Egg candling

Tools

Excel

Microsoft Word

Google Suites

Job description

The Mission of our Agency is to protect the health and safety of Arizona consumers, advance and support Arizona agriculture, and safeguard commerce.

EGG INSPECTOR

Job Location:

Address: Animal Services Division / Egg Program
Tonopah / Arlington AZ Area

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 09/15/2026

Job Summary:

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is recruiting for a full-time Public Health Sanitarian (Egg Inspector) for the Egg Inspection Program. The duty post for the position is at Hickmans Egg Ranch located in the Arlington/Tonopah Arizona area.

The successful candidate will perform substantial environmental sanitation inspections of commercial processing at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Shell Egg Plants, transportation and storage facilities for products intended for human use and consumption. Induces compliance with applicable statues, rules and regulations. Other duties as assigned

No prior egg grading experience required training will be provided.

Job Duties:

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Inspect sites and enforce statutes.
• Lift up to sixty pounds on a regular basis
• Test egg and egg products by collecting samples, candles eggs for quality, grade, weight and color.
• Check cooler temperatures and labeling of eggs and egg products, and retains product not meeting USDA standards.
• Grades eggs at the USDA Shell Egg Plants; verifies sanitation and facility standards with a pre-operational sanitation inspection and continues to observe operations and sanitation throughout the day.
• Performs lot grades, and retains product not meeting USDA standards.
• Prepares USDA certificates, keeps USDA files, communicates with plant officials and remains up-to-date on all new issuances from USDA.
• This position will require you to rotate between the Arlington and Tonopah processing facilities; work schedules and hours are also subject change and overtime may be required.

Knowledge of:

• Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and the Egg Product Inspection Act of 1970
• Regulations governing the voluntary grading of shell eggs 7CFR Part 56
• United States standards, grades and weight classes for shell eggs AM56
• Rule, regulations, principals, and practices of public health sanitation, including food processing and handling insect and rodent control
• Training at a USDA Egg Products Plant and USDA Graders License
• Computers and computer software programs; such as Excel, Microsoft Word, and Google Suites

Skills in:

• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Oral/written communication
• Prepare clear and concise technical reports
• Apply and interpret federal and state laws, rules, regulations and policies governing inspection activities and safety practices
• Egg candling
• Interpersonal skills in dealing with internal and external customers

Ability to:

• Work independently with little supervision
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity propriety formulations
• Adapt quickly to change and deliver quality in a timely manner
• Prioritize work load while meeting all deadlines
• Flex with work schedule
• Work with a diverse group of internal and external customers

Selective Preference(s):

• Basic NIMS and ICs training in Emergency Management
• Experience in shell egg candling
• Pervious industry experience and USDA licenses
• Thorough knowledge of Egg Products Control Law (3-701 thru 3-739)
• The ability to candle eggs
• Agriculture Science or other related field may be substituted for work related experience

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Must possess a USDA license as a USDA shell egg grader or be able to obtain the license, or have been previously licensed

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply:Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Agriculture offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave programhere . For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Mandatory condition of Employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 11.98%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

Contact Us:

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at [e-mail] for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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