Food Safety Field Standardization and Audit Officer #01358

Title: Food Safety Field Standardization and Audit Officer #01358

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $47,722 - $70,000 annually. If the selected candidate resides within the Northern Virginia Pay Area of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Prince William, Loudoun, or Manassas/Manassas Park, the hiring salary range is $56,789- $85,000 annually.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Food Safety Field Standardization and Audit Officer for the Northern Virginia Region. This position is responsible for enforcement of the Virginia Food and Drink Law and related regulations in food retailing, manufacturing, and warehousing establishments. Duties include: training and standardizing field staff through performance-based inspections and ensuring Food Safety Specialists maintain Standardization status through the re-Standardization process; providing guidance and direction to Food Safety Specialists, conducting contract and field audit inspections of Food Safety Specialists at food manufacturers; conducting both food safety and food defense-related inspections of food establishments; investigating consumer complaints involving foodborne illnesses, general food safety issues, and proper product labeling; supervising the disposition of food products following fires, floods and other disasters; providing technical assistance, development and standardization guidance to Food Safety Specialists; and conducting compliance meetings at food establishments.
This position can be located anywhere in the Northern Virginia Region of the VDACS Food Safety Program. The selected individual will establish and work from a home office under the guidance of the Northern Virginia Region field office and will be required to live in or convenient to the Northern Virginia Region (cities/counties of: Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Loudoun, Fauquier, Prince William, City of Manassas, Manassas Park, City of Fairfax, Fairfax, Falls Church, Arlington, Alexandria,). The use of a state vehicle will be provided for business use only and must remain parked within the assigned territory.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of food safety and food science practices and principles; complex food processing and food handling procedures of food establishments; applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to foods; the regulatory inspection process, product labeling, food processing, food microbiology & Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) concepts. Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations; compose relevant standard operating procedures, guidance and other documents; make autonomous decisions and take appropriate actions in diverse circumstances and environments; work both independently and in a team environment; effectively communicate, both written and orally; be self-motivated and customer service-oriented; and effectively plan and organize work activities and successfully interact with the food safety staff, the public, the food industry and other regulatory agencies. Ability to effectively respond to emergency situations and other assigned duties during both traditional and non-traditional work periods. Proficient in the use of standard software applications. Experienced in independently dealing with food safety in both retail and manufactured food regulatory environments and in providing training or conducting auditing. Must have (or be eligible for) and maintain a valid driver’s license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. The selected individual will be responsible for obtaining and maintaining a commission as an official of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), becoming Standardized as an FDA Standardized Retail Food Safety Inspection Officer, and maintaining Standardization according to program procedures. Appropriate visual acuity including the ability to see and identify small objects and the ability to identify and distinguish colors. Physical mobility including, but not limited to walking, bending, stretching, and crouching. Ability to lift light loads up to 40 lbs. This position will be required to travel (day and overnight trips) both throughout and outside of the Commonwealth to attend meetings and/or complete training as required or requested. HS Diploma/GED required.