Eastern Regional Manager | Internal

Some of what youll do:
Manages and Supervises Food Safety Program Inspection Staff

• Direct plan organize and coordinate a regional food safety inspection team in areas such as Grade A dairy egg manufactured food food storage warehouse cottage food custom meat custom slaughter seafood juice and cannabis-infused edibles. The regional team includes an average of ten to twelve Food Safety Compliance Specialists (FSCS).
• Analyze staffing needs and assign work accordingly.
• Plan routine regional staff meetings and assist with program meetings.
• Provide a continuous review of personnel activity in relation to program goals and objective and provide timely feedback to staff.
• Provide conceptual guidance and direction to group members allocate workloads and establish completion dates.
• Responsible for implementation of Program policy and quality assurance monitoring for inspectional and regulatory consistency. Ensures compliance with the operational policies and standards.
• Determine and evaluate the merits of emerging products and processes. Assist in the development and implementation of technical information distribution and training activities. Facilitate training activities through in-person and remote classroom training on-the-job training with program staff and other applicable methods. Provide presentations to industry and regulatory personnel. Work with the Training Coordinator to ensure that all training requirements are met for inspection staff.
• Prepare and deliver annual evaluations and expectations for an average of ten to twelve Food Safety Compliance Specialists (FSCS). Manage staff to ensure all training and program/agency requirements are met.

• Provide consultation recommendations and evaluation to the Program Manager and compliance staff regarding the programs compliance/enforcement activities for NOC and NOI issuance and maintenance.

• Receive calls emails or other requests for information from WSDA staff food safety consumers food processors and regulatory agencies. Provide accurate information and technical assistance on a wide variety of food safety issues by directing people to the correct information or researching and determining the correct information.

• Serve as a department witness/expert on technical public health issues at legal proceedings such as administrative hearings settlement meetings revocations and suspensions.

• Participate in periodic review of FSP rules Inspectors manual Policies/Procedures and guidance material.

• Participate in development and implementation of a management information system to monitor administrative and program activities.

• Recommend WSDA compliance policies and procedures for entities failing to maintain inspection standards.

• Serve as a subject matter expert in multiple disciplines as required (e.g. PC HACCP RRT dairy public health reviews etc.). Conduct statewide FDA Food audits and WSDA evaluations as assigned.

• Participate in planning for and responding to food safety incident response including food-borne illness outbreaks recalls embargoes and other emergencies. Function in an Incident Command System role as an Operations Chief when the Rapid Response Team is activated to respond to illness outbreaks product recalls or other food safety issues.

• Lead office and field staff with non-RRT response to food safety incidents including sampling swabbing and embargoes. Utilize knowledge and experience to improve the timeliness and effectiveness of incident response limiting negative repercussions for the food industries and public health.

Who should apply

Professionals with:

• A Bachelors degree involving major study in business microbiology food science food technology biochemistry dairy science environmental health or a degree in a closely allied field.

• Four years of equivalent public health regulatory-related experience or food manufacturing experience.
• Must hold and maintain a valid WA State drivers license.

• Meets qualifications for FSCS position duties.
• Citizen of US.
• No felonies/misdemeanors (excluding minor traffic offenses) or pending trials/investigations for such.

• Managerial/Supervisory experience is desirable.
• Prior experience working as a Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 3 or 4.
• Prior experience working with the food industry and understanding of production agriculture in the context of public health practices.
• Demonstrated experience with cooperative agreement programs.
• Demonstrated experience in building programs systems and projects from scratch.
• Prior experience developing and delivering training to staff and stakeholders.

Employee Benefits

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

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture visit us at.

• Current resume detailing experience and education.

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

• One page of a writing sample on any topic.

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.