SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST - 42003257 1

State of Florida • Belle Isle, FL

1d • $40,000 - $48,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

This is an open competitive opportunity for a SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST (FOOD SAFETY INSPECTOR) with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety, Bureau of Retail Foods. The headquarters for this position is negotiable within North Orange and Osceola Counties. This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to specific Florida Statutes and Administrative Codes. Occasional travel is required, and employees must reside in specified areas. Some tasks may require evening, weekend, and/or holiday activity, including overnight and/or extended travel. Successful applicants must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting.

Requirements

• A high school diploma or its equivalent and one (1) year of professional work experience; OR a bachelor's degree (4 years) or higher from an accredited college or university can substitute for the one (1) year of professional work experience.
• Possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• Completion of all fields in the Candidate Profile, including work history, duties and responsibilities, hours worked, supervisor, and formal education.
• Responses to Qualifying Questions must be verifiable in the Candidate Profile.
• Must pass and maintain the training and certification required by Rule 5K-4.021, Florida Administrative Code, within 12 months of appointment.
• Must pass a background screening, including fingerprinting, as a condition of employment.
• Theory and applied knowledge in biological, chemical, physical and environmental factors affecting food safety and related control measures.
• Ability to evaluate food establishment structures, environment, equipment, methods and controls for compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge and ability to understand specialized food processing (reduced oxygen packaging, low acid foods, acidified foods, pathogenic microorganisms, HACCP plans, etc.).
• Working knowledge and ability to understand food additives, preservatives, coloring agents and chemicals used in conjunction with or incidental to food processing storage.
• Ability to document sanitation and regulatory discrepancies and advise management of corrective action.
• Ability to test foods for compliance including test kit and/or equipment usage.
• Working knowledge of statutes and rules establishing food requirements.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and manner while conducting inspections and in instituting appropriate enforcement actions.
• Ability to prepare accurate and timely reports.
• Ability to lift and carry 50 pounds.
• Knowledge of personal computer hardware and software resources.
• Skill in the use of personal computers.
• Ability to troubleshoot and resolve basic personal computer hardware/software operation problems.
• Ability to train and instruct others utilizing sound communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Graduates utilizing education attained in the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position will not be appointed until verification of the applicable degree has been obtained.
• Foreign trained graduates utilizing a degree attained outside of the United States to meet the minimum requirements of a position must be prepared to provide a copy of a credential evaluation conducted by an Approved Credential Evaluation Agency.

Responsibilities

• Conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments for compliance with regulatory, sanitation, and consumer protection requirements.
• Utilizing a risk-based approach to evaluate processing methods, production controls, equipment design, structural design and maintenance, and personnel practices to ensure food safety.
• Performing inspections/reviews for contract or cooperative agreement programs with federal partners (FDA, USDA).
• Performing opening inspections on food establishments to determine specific business requirements.
• Utilizing science-based knowledge to determine compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations for various food processing methods.
• Preparing reports to document regulatory deficiencies and interpreting public health laws, rules, and sanitation/safety standards to food establishment personnel.
• Advising management of necessary corrective actions.
• Initiating stop sale orders, stop use orders, destruction reports, release notices, and movement of goods under stop sale orders.
• Assisting in other areas of the state as needed.
• Conducting other inspection functions including consumer complaint investigations, follow-up reporting, food-borne illness investigations, information requests, special inspections (fire/flood damaged, vehicle accidents), multi-agency investigations, and special projects.
• Responding to disaster or emergency situations and operating under an incident command structure when required.
• Handling emergency or request calls periodically.
• Independently exercising professional judgment and instituting appropriate enforcement actions.
• Inspecting and testing foods for compliance with consumer protection standards using various test procedures and methods.
• Reviewing food labels for misrepresentation and mandatory consumer information.
• Evaluating advertising matter for possible product misrepresentation.
• Operating, calibrating, and maintaining inspection test equipment (thermometers, sanitizer test kits, pH meters, etc.).
• Preparing and submitting accurate and complete inspection reports, sample collection reports, food permit applications, consumer complaint reports, daily activity reports, travel vouchers, expense vouchers, and supply requisitions.
• Attending designated training sessions and courses.
• Following department policies and procedures and conducting official duties in a professional manner.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision and other supplemental insurance options
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Tuition waivers

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED