Regulatory Specialist (Senior)

State of Wisconsin; Iowa; On-site; USD 48,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

DATCP in Wisconsin seeks a Regulatory Specialist Senior to provide regulatory program support in meat and poultry enforcement. This field-based role covers surveillance, investigations, and policy development across assigned counties.

You will draft administrative documents, support enforcement training, and coordinate with regional managers. Travel about 60% and non-standard hours may be required; a valid driver's license is required and state benefits apply.

Qualifications

• Must have experience interpreting federal, state statutes and/or administrative rules.
• Experience with investigative principles and regulatory enforcement.
• Experience advising on and/or implementing policies or procedures.

Responsibilities

• Oversee surveillance activities related to meat and poultry in-commerce.
• Lead or act as technical liaison on problematic cases and investigations.
• Draft administrative documents, special orders and rules; support training for regional staff.

Skills

Interpreting statutes/rules

Investigative principles

Regulatory enforcement

Job description

Introduction

Who We Are: The Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) works hard to protect and promote Wisconsin’s agricultural industries and consumers. As an agency, we strive to serve the people of Wisconsin assuring: safe, wholesome food; consumer protection and fair business practices; animal and plant health; a clean environment; and strong agriculture and commerce. To successfully attain these goals, we recognize our success hinges on the diverse, well qualified, dedicated staff we employ and retain.

What We're Seeking: The DATCP’s Division of Food and Recreation Safety, Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses (BMPB), is recruiting for a Regulatory Specialist (Senior). The position will be field-based and will be headquartered in Crawford, Grant, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland, or Vernon County. When applying please select all counties in which you are willing to be headquartered. The qualifying candidate is not required to live in a county headquarter location. However, there is no expense reimbursement for drive time and gas mileage to commute to the assigned headquarter location. The specific headquarter city used for determining payment of drive time and expense reimbursement will be determined at the time of hire.

This position offers the State of Wisconsin’s excellent benefits package, which includes 19.5 days of paid time off to start, 9 paid holidays, accrued sick leave, multiple insurance options and an exceptional retirement plan! This posting may be used to fill future similar permanent, project, and/or LTE vacancies.

Position Summary

This professional position provides essential regulatory program support for compliance activities, systems and staff in the Division of Food and Recreational Safety – Bureau of Meat and Poultry Businesses ("Bureau") within an assigned area. This position is responsible for research, development and oversight of the Bureau’s compliance and enforcement policies and procedures, evaluating cases for referral for enforcement action and coordinating the management of those cases. This position serves as a primary source of information for Bureau staff on understanding the Bureau’s laws, conducting investigations and developing cases.

The position oversees surveillance activities related to in-commerce meat or poultry products and serves as a lead or technical liaison on problematic cases. Through review of investigations, enforcement actions, and policies, the position is responsible for managing the Bureau’s compliance and enforcement training, including assisting Regional Managers and Meat Safety Supervisors in establishing performance standards for compliance skills. The position further performs initial research and drafting of administrative documents, special orders and administrative rules.

Salary Information

The Regulatory Specialist Senior is in schedule-range 07-03 with a starting pay of $34.60-38.50 based on qualifications.

This position is not represented by a collective bargaining unit. A 12-month probationary period is required. Pay for current state employees will be set in accordance with the State Compensation Plan at the time of hire.

Job Details

At DATCP, we strive to deliver efficient and effective programs and services to Wisconsin agriculture, consumers, and businesses. The Department has numerous on-the-job training (OJT) opportunities, unique to each Bureau. These OJT opportunities include direct experience and practice through collaboration with co-workers/supervisor, peer mentoring, and job-specific training modules.

• Hands on in-person job shadowing that includes working through various OJT training materials related to the position
• Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) Inspection Methodology (IM) Training
• FSIS’ Surveillance, Investigation & Enforcement Methodology (SIEM) Training
• BMPB Regional & Section Meetings
• Public Records Training
• Respectful Workplace Training
• IT Security Training
• Strengths Finder Training

Conditions Of Employment

DATCP does not sponsor work visas. Any appointment made will be contingent on the selected applicant being able to provide documentation of eligibility to work in the United States.

A criminal background check will be performed on the selected applicant prior to an offer of employment.

Possession of a valid driver's license, or the ability to provide one’s own transportation for work purposes, is required.

Travel is required for approximately 60% of this position's duties.

The ability to stand for prolonged periods of time, often on wet or uneven floors.

Travel and outdoor work are required 12 months of the year. The employee will encounter inclement weather, including both outdoor and indoor temperature extremes, as well as hazardous environmental and physical conditions encountered while performing the duties of the position.

The ability to work nights, weekends and holidays as needed to conduct investigations, including staying until the daily work is done.

Equal Opportunity and Veteran Program

DATCP is an Equal Opportunity and affirmative action employer. We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

The State of Wisconsin offers a special program for qualified veterans with a 30% or greater service-connected disability.

Qualifications

Minimally qualified candidates will have all of the following:

• Experience interpreting federal, state statutes and/or administrative rules
• Experience working with investigative principles and/or regulatory enforcement
• Experience advising on and/or implementing policies or procedures

In addition to the minimum requirements, highly qualified applicants may have the following:

• Experience with food safety, manufactured food and/or poultry regulation laws
• Experience drafting legal documents and/or working with legal counsel
• Experience managing an investigatory case load

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply for this position is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, November 2.