Dairy Compliance Officer

the South Dakota State Government•Brookings, SD

31d•Onsite

About The Position

The mission of the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) is to protect and preserve South Dakota's agriculture, environment, and natural resources. The successful applicant will be a member of the Livestock Services Program in DANR. The dedicated staff of professionals in the Livestock Services Program work hard to create and sustain a vision for South Dakota that is prosperous and diverse with clean air, clean water, and healthy families. We are seeking individuals with a strong desire to learn and an interest in building a career. As part of the Livestock Services Program, you will play an important role inspecting dairy processing plants to ensure uninterrupted interstate shipment of milk and milk products produced in the state. The position ensures the safety and quality of milk and milk products produced and sold in South Dakota by providing regulatory inspection of the dairy processing industry. The inspections include milk and milk processing facilities, pasteurization equipment, milk truck tankers, and milk samplers. The complex nature of the dairy processing industry requires the ability to understand and effectively implement regulations from the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), USDA General Specifications, and state statutes/administrative rules. The effective enforcement of these regulations ensures food safety standards are met. This position will also review dairy processing equipment to ensure it meets the minimum requirements, ladder logic of pasteurization units, and site plans for remodeling/updating/installing the various dairy processing equipment. The Agriculture Program Specialist will work with the Program Manager on serious inspection findings leading to enforcement actions. The Agriculture Program Specialist must meet the requirements to be a licensed milk sampler and conduct required milk and milk product sampling. This position also functions as a resource for the dairy processing industry.

Requirements

A valid driver's license is required.
Must be able to obtain a milk sampler license for dairy dairy products within the first six months.
Desires to learn.
Strong attention to detail.
Good interpersonal and customer service skills.
Seeking a career opportunity in public service.
Knowledge of milk and milk products and how they are produced, transported, and processed.
Knowledge of dairy processing equipment.
Knowledge of milk pasteurization equipment.
Knowledge of basic food safety principles.
Knowledge of technical terms related to the dairy industry.
Knowledge of current issues related to the dairy industry.
Knowledge of laws and regulations pertaining to the dairy industry and dairy farms including the PMO and USDA General Specifications.
Ability to pay attention to detail and ensure work is accurate and complete.
Ability to maintain complete and accurate records.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to set goals and work independently or in a team setting to achieve them.
Ability to make appropriate decisions by applying standards and available information to specific situations.
Ability to identify and define problems or potential problems and addressing them in proper order.
Ability to collect and present evidence of violations of laws and regulations and give testimony in court.
Ability to provide technical assistance to managers, staff, industry and the public.
Ability to present and promote departmental priorities, services, and actions internally and externally.
Ability to provide customer service to the general public.
Ability to use basic computer applications.
Ability to set goals and work independently to achieve them.
Ability to work cooperatively with coworkers and treat others with respect.
Ability to work with regulated entities to gain compliance in a customer friendly manner.

Nice To Haves

Applicants with education or experience related to Dairy Manufacturing or Dairy Production are preferred.
HACCP, PCQI, food safety certifications are desirable but not required.

Responsibilities

Inspecting dairy processing plants to ensure uninterrupted interstate shipment of milk and milk products produced in the state.
Providing regulatory inspection of the dairy processing industry to ensure the safety and quality of milk and milk products produced and sold in South Dakota.
Inspecting milk and milk processing facilities, pasteurization equipment, milk truck tankers, and milk samplers.
Understanding and effectively implementing regulations from the Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), USDA General Specifications, and state statutes/administrative rules.
Reviewing dairy processing equipment to ensure it meets the minimum requirements, ladder logic of pasteurization units, and site plans for remodeling/updating/installing the various dairy processing equipment.
Working with the Program Manager on serious inspection findings leading to enforcement actions.
Meeting the requirements to be a licensed milk sampler and conduct required milk and milk product sampling.
Functioning as a resource for the dairy processing industry.