Food Safety Technical Coordinator | Internal

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washingtons Economy

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings please visit ourEmployment Page.

If you process manufacture store or handle any food or dairy products for wholesale distribution or if your custom slaughter or custom cut meat you need to contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture Food Safety Program for licensing and/or inspection information.

The Food Safety Programperforms a variety of public health investigations in cooperation with county state health and federal food agencies to protect the public health. Our dual mission is to protect and reduce the risk to public health by assuring the safety of the States food supply while facilitating the movement of Washington agricultural products in domestic and international markets. We do this by:

• Inspecting and analyzing food products and food processing and handling; inspecting food storage establishments and practices.
• Inspecting dairy farms and plants.
• inspecting eggs for quality and weight standards set and enforce sanitary standards for egg graders.
• Inspecting custom farm slaughterers custom meat facilities.
• Licensing dairy technicians.
• Issuing Export Certificates of Sanitation and Free Sale for food products manufactured in Washington State.
• Issuing licensing for Direct Sellers.
• Issuing voluntary Hemp Extract Facility Certification.

Food businesses operating in the State of Washington that process and/or warehouse manufactured food products for distribution in commerce and resale by other food businesses must follow safe food handling and/or processing practices to protect the public from illness or injury caused by food consumed. Washington State laws Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations adopted by WSDA and WSDA regulations detail the specific food safety requirements. The vast majority of manufactured food firms licensed by WSDA successfully implement the required practices and maintain substantial compliance for operating in Washington State. Food Safety Compliance Specialists conduct food safety inspections of food facilities to verify the firm is operating in substantial compliance with the required laws and regulations.

The Food Safety Technical Coordinator (Management Analyst 5) leads data system management for the program overseeing a statewide electronic inspection and licensing system that incorporates multiple platforms including SQL-based systems Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. The position serves as a subject matter expert in food safety food processing and inspection processes providing high-level technical assistance policy development and education to regulated industries stakeholders and Food Safety Program staff.

The coordinator directs the development of the Food Safety Programs staff training curriculum ensuring alignment with state and federal best practices and requirements to maintain a consistent and technically proficient workforce.

In the Program Managers absence the Food Safety Technical Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for routine operations and food safety incident responses. Responsibilities include disseminating information to internal and external stakeholders acting as a program spokesperson and directing staff activities. Additionally the coordinator assists in monitoring performance metrics to support sound data-informed decision-making.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for an internal full-time permanent Food Safety Technical Coordinator (Management Analyst 5) position within the Food Safety & Consumer Services (FSCS) Division. This position is approved for a home duty station in Spokane County WA. This is a non-represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidates job-related knowledge skills and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is:Range 64 $76968 Step A - $100980Step Lannually.

• Serve as the programs subject matter expert on data management systems. This role will interact with both internal staff and external stakeholders to ensure effective use of the programs electronic inspectional and licensing processes. This includes providing oversight for long-term sustainability and functionality of current and future data systems required to manage complex licensing and inspectional processes
• Lead the development of goals and ensure project deliverables and maintenance of the data systems are met to ensure quality standards and program needs.
• Create routine and ad hoc reports from system data for internal and external customers including the Program Manager Assistant Director MFRPS and FDA Contract Coordinator OFM etc. Provide program staff with summaries of needed information that are not otherwise available to them.
• Plan system testing and upgrades to ensure business and operational continuity.
• Direct the development of the system and business tools training program to ensure field and office staff are competent in each systems use.
• Identify training risks and communicate to program management.

• Conduct reviews of applicable food safety trends hazards and state and federal laws to assure the program has current Food Safety activities drafting and composing updates or new rules when necessary.
• Answer questions researches issues for policy development strategic planning prepares and provides presentations and otherwise interacts with food safety consumers food processors regulatory agencies and field staff to provide accurate information on a wide variety of food safety topics.
• Reviews program processes to determine Lean opportunities. Prioritizes the identified areas for improvement and submits to program management.

• Ensure consistent application of policy and procedures for protection of public health and operational consistence as needed.
• Monitor program performance metrics identify areas for improvement and develop action plans to drive improvement.
• Administration of programs MS Teams channels.

Who should apply
Professionals with:

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelors degree in business administration public administration law public health health administration or a related field OR Four (4) years of experience conducting complex food safety inspections as a Food Safety Compliance Specialist or equivalent within WSDA.

• Five (5) years of demonstrated experience in two or more of the following areas (experience must include at least one (1) year of supervisory experience):
  • conducting research
  • analyzing policies laws rules or regulations
  • conducting business analysis and developing requirements
  • leading business projects
  • managing business operations
  • business policy development
  • supervising

• Prior experience working with the food industry and understanding of production agriculture in the context of public health practices.
• Demonstrated experience in developing policies procedures inspectional systems and complex projects.
• Prior experience developing and delivering training and presentations to staff and stakeholders at all levels.

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance which may include flexible work schedules and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance Flexible Spending Accounts Public Service Loan Forgiveness Tuition Waiver Deferred Compensation;click herefor more information.
• 12 paidHolidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.

How to apply: You must complete your profile and answer the supplemental addition to completing the online application and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

Current resume detailing experience and education

A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position

Three professional references

By submitting these materials you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

Applications with comments see attachments will be considered incomplete. If you are having technical difficulties creating accessing or completing your application please call NEOGOV toll-free at or email.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the states on-line recruitment system.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes appreciates supports embraces and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan and our unique needs and desires for belonging respect and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning improvement and advancement.

We strive to hire cultivate and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race creed color national origin citizenship or immigration status marital status families with children (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sex sexual orientation gender identity diversity age status as a protected veteran honorably discharged veteran or military status status as an individual with the presence of any sensory mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with applicable federal state and local laws.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application contact the Human Resource Office at.

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.

Veterans Preference:Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veterans Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214 or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veterans Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligibleclick here.

Persons with a disability who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format may call 664-1960 or toll free . TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.