SANITATION AND SAFETY SPECIALIST - 42003257

State of Florida • Orlando, FL

6d • $47,150 - $56,580 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Food Safety, Bureau of Retail Foods is seeking a Sanitation and Safety Specialist (Food Safety Inspector). This is an open competitive opportunity. The headquarters for this position is negotiable within Orange, Osceola, and Seminole 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

• High school diploma and one (1) year of professional work experience.
• 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.
• Verifiable responses to Qualifying Questions in the Candidate Profile.
• Employees must pass and maintain the training and certification required by Rule 5K-4.021, Florida Administrative Code, within 12 months of appointment.
• 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.
• Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center in advance.

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 of food establishments to determine specific business requirements.
• Utilizing science-based knowledge to determine compliance with environmental and sanitation regulations for specialized food processing.
• Preparing reports to document regulatory deficiencies, interpreting public health laws, rules, and sanitation/safety standards to food establishment personnel, and advising management on corrective actions.
• Initiating stop sale orders, stop use orders, destruction reports, release notices, and managing 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 damage, accident-involved vehicles), 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.).
• Performing administrative functions including timely submission of accurate 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 assigned.

Benefits

• Annual and Sick Leave benefits
• Nine paid holidays and one Personal holiday each year
• State Group Insurance coverage options (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