Administrative Intern 2

Full Job Description

Apply early! This position is open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of February 20, 2026. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before February 19, 2026. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes approximately 780 employees and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment 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 Program performs a variety of public health investigations in cooperation with county, state health and federal food agencies to protect public health.

Our dual mission is to protect and reduce the risk to public health by assuring the safety of the State's 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 and, 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 Administrative Intern 2 is designed to provide college students, recent graduates, or transitioning service members with an indoctrination into employment with the State of Washington. This position will be trained in specific tasks and departmental procedures as it relates to food safety inspections and the collection of samples to protect the public from unsafe or adulterated food by evaluating conformance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. This position assists with food safety inspections in facilities that process or hold food products including but not limited to food processors, dairy farms, dairy plants, produce farms, custom meat facilities and trucks, egg handling facilities, poultry processors, food warehouses, marijuana-infused edible processors and other food handlers, as needed. This position also supports program goals by assisting with food safety projects aiming to create positive impacts for stakeholders and the agency.

Important Notes:

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time non-permanent Administrative Intern 2 position within the Food Safety Program in the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division.

Administrative Intern 2 position has been approved for up to 12 weeks of work. This position is approved for a home duty station within Thurston County, Pierce, or King Counties of WA State.

This position is non-represented.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: Range 36E Step A $20.58 - Step L $24.23 hourly.

Requirements

Include, but are not limited to:

Assist with Conducting Food Safety Public Health Inspections

• Evaluate control of public health risks by assisting in inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food.
• Use the appropriate state and/or federal regulation and program policy during inspections.
• Assist with federally mandated Grade ‘A’ Dairy testing of pasteurization equipment and evaluations of bulk milk haulers and samplers by written and practical examination.
• Discern between critical and minor violations and provides technical assistance to stakeholders as needed.

Provides technical assistance, conducts informational training to the public, industry, or agency personnel

• Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
• Participate in developing technical training aids and educational materials to stakeholders, peers, and other regulatory officials.

Collection and preparation of assigned routine samples and collection and preparation of samples relating to investigation of contamination or adulteration of food

• Collect dairy and water samples at mandated intervals to comply with state policy and federal regulations.
• Sample food items for scheduled surveillance testing.
• Participate in environmental swabbing events as part of FDA contract and state surveillance assignments, as needed.

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

Required Qualifications:

• Possess or pursuing a degree from an accredited college or university or a technical certificate related to computer science/information technology

• Must be able to acquire and maintain a valid driver's license prior to employment to conduct agency business as required.

Preferred / Desired Qualifications:

• Complete at least four semesters or six quarters of work (or equivalent) at an accredited college or university.
• Recent high school or college graduate.
• Microsoft Office or similar office software skills.

Additional Information

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• 12 paid Holidays & 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 www.agr.wa.gov.

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In 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

· At least three professional or academic 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 (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com.

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 state's 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 Recruitment@agr.wa.gov.

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 applicant's 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.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's 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 Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click 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 (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.