Position Information:
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a Food Inspector Trainee 1 to work in Albany New York as a member of the Compliance Unit. The role involves reviewing submitted inspection reports for accuracy and adherence to established division protocol. The position also entails completing monthly reports for compliance rates with inspection numbers follow up inspections compliance sessions legal referrals additional inspections overdue inspections and deleted inspection reports. This role further includes developing training materials and presentations for field staff. Responsibilities may also include processing FDA contract inspections on an as needed basis. This position is perfect for a self-driven candidate who wants to ensure that New York States food and feed supply is safe to consume!
The Food Inspector 1 or Trainee is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week Monday-Friday. The position will be based in our Albany office located at 10B Airline Dr. Albany NY 12235. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agencys Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
Salary:
The full title Food Inspector 1 position is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 18. The starting salary of the PEF SG-18 is $66951/year.
The candidate appointed at the Food Inspector 1 SG-18 level will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated Satisfactory or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employees annual salary. Over time yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-18 job rate salary of $85138/ year!
Benefits:
NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications:
Or 2.60 semester credit hours which MUST include 24 credit hours in: chemistry microbiology food quality control epidemiology entomology food technology food science food processing technology food sanitation dairy science biology environmental sanitation environmental health human physiology genetics animal science nutrition/dietetics or medical sciences AND two years of experience where your primary responsibility is in the areas of environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility.
Examples of Acceptable Experience:For the purposes of this examination qualifying experience can be gained in jobs such as Environmental Health Technician Sanitarian for food business Food Inspector/Investigator Meat Inspector Quality Control Technician for a food processing plant or food warehouse or Laboratory Technician with experience conducting analysis of food or dairy products.
Examples of Unacceptable Experience:Food Service Worker Restaurant or Food Store Manager Chef Butcher Caterer Food Warehouse Foreperson Food Warehouse Management Food Comptroller Beverage Comptroller Food Production line worker Banquet Manager Steward Food Equipment Salesperson Food and Sanitation Equipment Salesperson Food Broker or Pesticide Applicator.
NY HELPS Program:
This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS).
For the duration of the NY HELPS Program this title may be filled via a non-competitive appointment which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply.
At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment) it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non-competitive employment status converted to competitive status without having to compete in an examination. Employees will then be afforded with all the same rights and privileges of competitive class employees of New York State. While serving permanently in a NY HELPS title employees may take part in any promotion examination for which they are qualified.
Alternate Minimum Qualifications:
You may also be eligible for appointment to this position if you meet any of the following minimum qualifications.
Reassignment Qualifications: You must be a current Department of Agriculture and Markets employee and have one year of permanent contingent-permanent or 55 b/c service as a Food Inspector Trainee 1 NS Food Inspector Trainee 2 NS and Food Inspector 1 G-18; if you have less than one year you must be reachable on the current eligible list for this location if one exists.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Food Inspector Trainee 1 NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include Farm Products Grading Inspector 1 G-14.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Food Inspector Trainee 2 NS: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include Farm Products Grading Inspector 2 G-18.
70.1 Transfer Qualifications to Food Inspector 1 G-18: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they have: one year of permanent competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. Such titles include but are not limited to: Dairy Products Specialist 1 G-18.
Either 1.120 semester credit hours which MUST include 24 credit hours in: chemistry microbiology food quality control epidemiology entomology food technology food science food processing technology food sanitation dairy science biology environmental sanitation environmental health human physiology genetics animal science nutrition/dietetics or medical sciences;
Or 2.60 semester credit hours which MUST include 24 credit hours in: chemistry microbiology food quality control epidemiology entomology food technology food science food processing technology food sanitation dairy science biology environmental sanitation environmental health human physiology genetics animal science nutrition/dietetics or medical sciences;
AND two years of experience where your primary responsibility is in the areas of environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility;
AND received a passing score on the most recent Food Inspector 1 examination.
Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4:Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission.
Or 2.60 semester credit hours which MUST include 24 credit hours in: chemistry microbiology food quality control epidemiology entomology food technology food science food processing technology food sanitation dairy science biology environmental sanitation environmental health human physiology genetics animal science nutrition/dietetics or medical sciences AND two years of experience where your primary responsibility is in the areas of environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility.
Advanced Placement:If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additionalone yearof experience in which the primary responsibility involves the application of scientific techniques in the areas of environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility you may be appointed to the Food Inspector Trainee 2. This will reduce the traineeship time by one year. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additionaltwo yearsof experience in the areas listed above you may be appointed to the full performance title Food Inspector 1 Grade 18. You must inform the hiring agency of this additional experience at the time of interview.
Examples of Acceptable Experience:For the purposes of this examination qualifying experience can be gained in jobs such as Environmental Health Technician Sanitarian for food business Food Inspector/Investigator Meat Inspector Quality Control Technician for a food processing plant or food warehouse or Laboratory Technician with experience conducting analysis of food or dairy products.
Examples of Unacceptable Experience:Food Service Worker Restaurant or Food Store Manager Chef Butcher Caterer Food Warehouse Foreperson Food Warehouse Management Food Comptroller Beverage Comptroller Food Production line worker Banquet Manager Steward Food Equipment Salesperson Food and Sanitation Equipment Salesperson Food Broker or Pesticide Applicator.
Information about the Workers with Disabilities 55-b and the Veterans with Disabilities employment program 55-c can be found at 55b/c Recruitment Resources Center ().
How to Apply:
Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to one of these opportunities must use the below link to apply byNovember 23 2025. Within this online application please upload your resume transcript and cover letter.
If you have any questions please contact Amy Sacco in Human Resources at or
.The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary for qualified persons with disabilities. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation please visit: