PUBLIC HEALTH SANITARIAN

Arizona Department of Administration • Tucson, AZ

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The mission of the Arizona Department of Agriculture is to protect the health and safety of Arizona consumers, advance and support Arizona agriculture, and safeguard commerce. This is achieved by protecting plants and animals, issuing agriculture and environmental licenses, inspecting farming practices, and overseeing commerce standards and measurement devices. The department is currently recruiting for a Public Health Sanitarian for the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. This position is responsible for conducting inspections in Tucson, AZ, and the surrounding areas. State meat inspection personnel are tasked with monitoring general plant and equipment sanitation, processing sanitation, good manufacturing practices during production, ante mortem and post mortem inspection at slaughter, multi-ingredient formulation, the use of approved labeling, and laboratory sampling programs. The role is mandated by law as part of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program (ARS 3-2001 through ARS 3-2058 and ARS 3-2151 through 3-2169) to inspect meat and poultry products produced in or imported into the state.

Requirements

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public health sanitation, including food handling and food processing, insect and rodent control, state laws, and regulations pertaining to environmental health.
• Knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Knowledge of Standard Sanitation Operation Procedures (SSOP).
• Knowledge of Animal diseases and pathology.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Federal computer programs.
• Skills in analyzing situations accurately and adopting an effective course of action.
• Skills to work effectively with internal and external customers.
• Skills to prepare concise technical reports.
• Excellent written/oral communication skills.
• Skills in recommending improvements in sanitary practices in the private sector and sanitary programs in the public sector.
• Skills in applying and interpreting Federal, State and Agency laws, rules, regulations, and policies.
• Skills in Organoleptic examination of food products.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and integrity of propriety formulations or equipment which may be trade secret.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to work with diverse groups of customers.
• Ability to multi task in an ever changing work environment while maintaining great customer services and producing results in a timely manner.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to stand for long periods of time.
• Ability to work in excessive heat and/or cold conditions.
• Valid Driver's License.
• Successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Nice To Haves

• Working knowledge of HACCP and SSOP.
• Experience in the food industry, commercial kitchens, and red meat/sausage processing or slaughterhouse operations.
• Basic animal anatomy and knowledge of animal disease and pathology.
• Meat/Poultry inspection experience.
• Diversity Training.
• USDA/Agriculture mandated training.
• Meat Cutting Techniques.

Responsibilities

• Work independently and conduct substantial preoperational and operational environmental health inspections for the humane handling of livestock.
• Perform ongoing visual and hands-on inspections of animal viscera and organs by incising lymph nodes and palpation, conducting surveillance by examining each animal for Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System Disorder, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Antibiotic Residue, Lymphoma, and Pathology of human health concerns.
• Ensure compliance with pathogen intervention and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), pest control, maintaining food security, and checking branding of inspected and passed carcasses with the official mark of inspections.
• Collect samples for listeria monocytogenes, salmonella and E-coli 0157:H7; verify processing is being performed as per plants Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Plan by direct observation of monitoring procedures, reviewing of records for critical times, temperatures to ensure no physical, chemical or biological hazards exist.
• Advise on complex aspects of food safety and sanitation to county or municipal officials and industry representatives; maintain in-plant records and files, remain up to date with all directives and recall information coming from Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); take all USDA and Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) mandated training.
• Drive a state vehicle for state business and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Sick leave
• Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
• Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program)
• Health and dental insurance
• Retirement plan
• Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
• Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 501-1,000 employees