Food Safety Compliance Specialist

State of Washington • Multiple Locations - Central Washington, WA

5d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) is seeking a full-time permanent Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 within the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division. This role is crucial for protecting public health by ensuring the safety of the state's food supply. The specialist will conduct complex food safety inspections of various facilities, including food processors, dairy farms, produce farms, custom meat facilities, egg handling facilities, and more. The position involves evaluating compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, conducting investigations, collecting samples, and potentially participating in legal actions. The goal is to protect the public from unsafe or adulterated food by assessing conformance with applicable laws and regulations. This position is approved for a home duty station in Chelan or Okanogan County, WA, but requires statewide travel for inspections.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree involving major study in business, microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, or a natural science in a closely allied field. OR Experience may substitute for education on a year for year basis.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid driver’s license.
• One (1) year of professional experience in a public health regulatory food manufacturing environment.
• 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 US.
• No felonies/misdemeanors (excluding minor traffic offenses) or pending trials/investigations for such.

Nice To Haves

• Two (2) years of equivalent public health regulatory related experience and/or three (3) years of quality control experience in a food or dairy processing plant.
• Experience in food processing, dairy processing, or of serving as an individual charged with enforcing laws or statutes.

Responsibilities

• Conduct Food Safety Public Health Inspections to evaluate firm’s control of public health risks by performing independent inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food, based on the appropriate state and/or federal regulation and program policy.
• Conduct federally mandated IMS and non-IMS Grade ‘A’ Dairy inspections, testing of pasteurization equipment, and evaluations of dairy technicians by practical examination.
• Discern between critical and significant violations and provides technical assistance to industry when appropriate.
• Document and present of inspection and investigation findings, including clear and concise verbal communication and written reports.
• Prepare written reports that serve as the foundation for initiation of enforcement actions including on-the-spot product diversions, embargo or stop sale actions.
• Provide documentation to include but not limited to; photographs, product labels or processing records.
• Assist the program in development and review of compliance cases as needed.
• Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
• Provide applicants with technical assistance to achieve licensing status including the review of construction and remodel plans for compliance.
• Participate in developing technical brochures and factsheets to aid and education to stakeholders, peers, and other regulatory officials.
• Coordinate and work with other state, local and federal agencies in actions, inspections, investigations, and training dealing with issues of food safety.
• Collect and prepare assigned routine samples and collection and preparation of samples relating to investigation of contamination or adulteration of for cause.
• Collect dairy product and water samples at mandated intervals to comply with federal regulation.
• Sample food items routinely for scheduled surveillance testing.
• Conduct follow-up investigations in response to laboratory results.
• Participate in environmental swabbing events as part of FDA contract and state surveillance assignments.
• Investigate and sample when inspection observations indicate a potential for public health risk.
• Conducting Food Safety Program public health investigations, traceback and recall effectiveness checks.
• Investigate consumer complaints per state policy and initiate appropriate action.
• Act as field support for recall effectiveness checks and other public health events.
• Take compliance actions such as embargo or stop sale to remove food from distribution.

Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• Dependent Care Assistance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Tuition Waiver
• Deferred Compensation
• Employee Recognition Leave
• 12 paid Holidays
• Vacation and Leave Accruals
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level