Public Health Sanitarian

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

7d • $41,600 - $44,200 • Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is recruiting two Public Health Sanitarians for its Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. The positions conduct inspections in Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding areas. State meat inspection personnel monitor plant and equipment sanitation, processing sanitation, good manufacturing practices during production, ante-mortem and post-mortem slaughter inspection, multi-ingredient formulation, approved labeling, and laboratory sampling programs.

The role involves independent preoperational and operational environmental health inspections related to humane livestock handling; inspection of animal viscera and organs; monitoring for animal diseases and other conditions affecting human health; verifying pathogen interventions and HACCP compliance; collecting laboratory samples; reviewing plant records and processing procedures; advising public officials and industry representatives on food safety and sanitation; maintaining inspection records; staying current on FSIS and USDA directives and recall information; and completing mandated training. The position requires in-state travel, use of a state vehicle for state business, and standing for extended periods, including work in excessive heat or cold.

Requirements

• Knowledge of public health sanitation principles and practices, including food handling and processing, insect and rodent control, and environmental health laws and regulations.
• Knowledge of HACCP and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOP).
• Knowledge of animal diseases and pathology.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and federal computer programs.
• Ability to analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Ability to work effectively with internal and external customers and diverse customer groups.
• Skill in preparing concise technical reports and communicating effectively in writing and orally.
• Skill in recommending improvements to private-sector sanitary practices and public-sector sanitary programs.
• Ability to apply and interpret federal, state, and agency laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Skill in organoleptic examination of food products.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of proprietary formulations or equipment that may be trade secrets.
• Ability to work independently and multitask in a changing work environment while providing good customer service and producing timely results.
• Ability to stand for long periods and work in excessive heat and/or cold.
• Valid, current, class-appropriate driver's license; employees driving on state business must meet applicable driving-record, insurance, and training requirements.
• Successfully pass background and reference checks; employment is contingent on completion of the process and the agency’s ability to reasonably accommodate restrictions.
• Successfully complete the E-Verify employment eligibility verification process.

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of HACCP and SSOP.
• Experience in the food industry, commercial kitchens, red meat or sausage processing, or slaughterhouse operations.
• Basic animal anatomy knowledge and knowledge of animal disease and pathology.
• Meat or poultry inspection experience.
• Diversity training.
• USDA or agriculture-mandated training.
• Meat cutting techniques.

Responsibilities

• Conduct substantial preoperational and operational environmental health inspections, including inspections related to humane livestock handling.
• Perform ongoing visual and hands-on inspections of animal viscera and organs, including incising lymph nodes and palpation, and examine animals for tuberculosis, central nervous system disorder, bovine spongiform encephalopathy, antibiotic residue, lymphoma, and other pathology of human health concern.
• Monitor pathogen interventions, HACCP compliance, pest control, and food security, and verify inspected and passed carcasses are branded with the official inspection mark.
• Collect samples for Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and E. coli O157:H7.
• Verify processing against plant HACCP plans by observing monitoring procedures and reviewing records for critical times and temperatures to ensure physical, chemical, and biological hazards are controlled.
• Advise county and municipal officials and industry representatives on complex food safety and sanitation matters.
• Maintain in-plant records and files and stay current on FSIS and USDA directives and recall information.
• Complete USDA- and Arizona Department of Agriculture-mandated training.
• Drive a state vehicle for state business and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Sick leave.
• Vacation and 10 paid holidays per year.
• Paid parental leave of up to 12 weeks per year for a newborn or newly placed foster or adopted child (pilot program).
• Health and dental insurance.
• Retirement plan through the Arizona State Retirement System, subject to statutory eligibility and membership criteria.
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance.
• Optional short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance.

What This Job Offers

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