SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST - 42003257

State of Florida • Belle Isle, FL

8d • $40,000 - $48,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS), Division of Food Safety, Bureau of Retail Foods is seeking a Sanitation and Safety Specialist (Food Safety Inspector). This position is responsible for conducting regulatory inspections of food establishments to ensure compliance with sanitation and consumer protection requirements. The role involves evaluating processing methods, production controls, equipment, and personnel practices to ensure food safety. Inspections may also be conducted for contract or cooperative agreement programs with federal partners like the FDA and USDA. The specialist will perform opening inspections, assess food processes, and determine specific business requirements. They will utilize science-based knowledge to ensure compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations for various food processing methods. The position requires preparing reports on regulatory deficiencies, interpreting public health laws, and advising management on necessary corrective actions. Enforcement actions such as stop sale orders, stop use orders, and destruction reports may be initiated. The role also includes investigating consumer complaints, food-borne illness outbreaks, and responding to disaster or emergency situations. The specialist will inspect and test foods for compliance with consumer protection standards, review food labels, and evaluate advertising for misrepresentation. Operation, calibration, and maintenance of inspection test equipment are also part of the duties. Administrative functions include preparing and submitting various reports and attending designated training sessions. The position requires adherence to department policies and professional conduct as a representative of FDACS.

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.
• Requires possession of a valid Class E driver license.
• Employees appointed to positions involved in food establishment inspections must pass and maintain the training and certification required by Rule 5K-4.021, Florida Administrative Code, within 12 months of appointment.
• This position has regulatory responsibilities and is subject to the provisions of s.112.313, F.S., and Section 60L – 36.003, Florida Administrative Code.
• Occasional travel required.
• Must reside in required areas as specified in Division Policy A-10.
• Some tasks will require evening, weekend and/or holiday activity, including overnight and/or extended travel.
• Successful applicant 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 which may include reduced oxygen packaging, low acid foods, acidified foods, major classifications of pathogenic micro organisms commonly associated with food-borne illness, aerobic or anaerobic, temperature and pH reproductive requirements, typical food substrates, related control measures and the application of such factors into food safety Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, or other processes not previously specified which may occur in food establishments.
• 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.

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.
• Performing inspections/reviews for contract or cooperative agreement programs with federal partners (FDA, USDA).
• Performing opening inspections on food establishments, evaluating and assessing food processes and activities.
• Utilizing science-based knowledge to determine compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations for various food processing methods.
• Preparing reports to document regulatory deficiencies.
• Interpreting and explaining public health laws, rules, and sanitation and safety standards to food establishment personnel.
• Advising management of necessary corrective action as part of each inspection.
• Initiating stop sale orders, stop use orders, destruction reports, release notices, and movement of goods under stop sale orders.
• Assisting as needed in other areas of the state.
• Conducting other inspection functions including investigation of consumer complaints, follow-up reporting, food-borne illness investigations, and information requests from consumers.
• Performing special inspections of fire or flood damaged food establishments and inspection of foods in vehicles involved in accidents.
• Participating in multi-agency investigations/inspections or 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 inclusion of 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 timely 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.
• Performing other related duties as may be assigned.

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