Outreach Coordinator

Texas Health & Human Services Commission • Austin, TX

5d • $5,425 - $8,886 • Onsite

About The Position

The Outreach Coordinator performs highly advanced monitoring and coordination of meat and poultry inspection operations at state-inspected slaughter and processing establishments throughout Texas. The role provides consultation and outreach on meat and poultry inspection and food safety to the public, establishments, industry representatives, government officials, health care professionals, educational institutions, and program staff. It coordinates inspection guidance, staff training, educational initiatives, responses to inquiries, and communication with partner programs and agencies.

The position helps maintain the Texas State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program at a status at least equal to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service program. Work includes reviewing food-safety plans and records, supporting grant applicants and holders, contributing to program reviews and audits, reviewing directives and regulations, and assisting with specialized inspections and product-label reviews. The position works under limited supervision of the Meat Safety Assurance program Assistant Director, with extensive latitude to exercise initiative and independent judgment.

The position is based in Austin and involves travel up to 45% throughout Texas. It is full-time and regular. The usual schedule is 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, but other hours—including evenings, weekends, and holidays—may be required. Outside work in inclement weather may also be required, and the employee may be directed to work anywhere in the state. The employee must provide their own transportation and hold a current, valid driver’s license.

Requirements

• At least five years of experience in regulatory meat inspection, or at least one year of experience with MSA, FSIS, or another food-safety service—including military service—if the candidate has a bachelor’s degree or higher in an applicable field such as food science, animal science, biology, or a similar field.
• A valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver’s license, or an equivalent license from another state.
• Successful completion of a USDA FSIS Inspection Methods training course or equivalent is required within six months of hire.
• Successful completion of a USDA FSIS Enforcement, Investigation, and Analysis Officer training course or equivalent is required within 12 months of hire.
• Thorough knowledge of meat inspection, including slaughter, processing, meat fabrication, and ready-to-eat products.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable state and federal meat and poultry laws, rules, regulations, and directives, including the Texas Meat and Poultry Inspection Act, the Federal Meat and Poultry Inspection Act, and the Code of Federal Regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of meat industry operations, Sanitation Performance Standards, Sanitary Standard Operating Procedures, HACCP-based inspection, and pathogen reduction and control.
• Knowledge of the Public Health Information System, microbiological and economic sampling procedures, and the responsibilities of federal and state agencies with overlapping authority.
• Ability to communicate effectively with program staff, regulated industry, trade associations, the legislature, media, the public, and professionals at different levels of government and industry.
• Skill in problem solving, critical thinking, investigations, basic rules of evidence, and determining appropriate courses of action.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office for word processing and spreadsheets, as well as Teams, online computer training, and remote mail programs.
• Skill in organizing, preparing, and presenting information verbally and in writing, including public speaking and training.
• Skill in negotiating effectively with a wide variety of people, including in challenging circumstances, to obtain voluntary compliance.
• Skill in basic mathematics, including arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, parts per million, and weights and measures.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret correspondence, technical data, reports, applications, and regulations and determine necessary action.
• Ability to independently analyze new situations and respond with sound technical judgments.
• Ability to explain technical requirements and regulatory interpretations tactfully, build working relationships, and express ideas clearly and concisely.
• Ability to prepare concise reports and business correspondence and to function as a project team leader or team member.
• Continued employment is contingent on successfully passing the required Inspection Methods (or equivalent) and EIAO (or equivalent) courses.

Nice To Haves

• Completion of the Inspection Methods course or similar training.
• Completion of the Enforcement, Investigation, and Analysis Officer course or similar training.
• Graduation with a degree from an accredited graduate or post-graduate school or university in a field relevant to the assignment.
• Other food-safety experience, including military service.
• Training or equivalent experience in humane livestock slaughter, HACCP, SSOP, SPS, and pathogen reduction.

Responsibilities

• Provide advanced consultation and outreach on meat and poultry inspection and food safety to the public, establishments, industry representatives, government officials, health care professionals, and program staff.
• Coordinate responses to telephone and email inquiries concerning federal and state meat inspection requirements.
• Represent the Meat Safety Assurance program at conferences and presentations, and with federal, state, and local agencies and groups.
• Coordinate and participate in training for inspection and managerial staff, and develop or present training for industry personnel and regulatory officials as needed.
• Review and assist with the design and implementation of SSOPs, HACCP plans, prerequisite programs, records, supporting documentation, and specified testing programs.
• Work with circuit managers to onboard new grant applicants through the new facility 59i process.
• Maintain the MSA Consumer Guide and promote and maintain the ASKMSA email function.
• Coordinate outreach and inspection operations at state-inspected meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments across Texas.
• Provide inspection staff guidance and training on MSA policy, regulations, and the proper disposition of violations, and respond to inspection-related questions.
• Review food-safety plans and supporting records to assist plant personnel and MSA EIAO staff.
• Help maintain the Texas Meat and Poultry Inspection Program at a status at least equal to the USDA FSIS program.
• Manage the MSA website as needed; research and review FSIS directives, notices, policies, procedures, and regulations, and recommend program equivalents as appropriate.
• Participate in annual self-assessments and QNI tasks, and assist with FSIS on-site audits.
• Assist with or conduct specialized reviews and inspections to evaluate inspector effectiveness and establishment compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Assist with product-label reviews and audits based on submissions from inspected facilities.
• Serve as a permanent member of the agency or division MSA Emergency Response Team as needed.

Benefits

• Insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed