Animal Food Field Inspector - Central WA

Full Job Description

This recruitment is open until filled.

The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of February 23, 2026, order to be considered, please submit your application on or before February 22, 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.

The Food Safety & Consumer Services (FSCS) Division is one of the five divisions in the Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA).

The FSCS Division serves consumers and stakeholders in the state of Washington by assuring the safety, and integrity of the state's human and animal food supply.

The division is made up of approximately 100 full time employees, including: Animal Feed, FSCS Laboratory, Food Safety, Organic, and Produce Safety.

We also house the Rapid Response Team that manages food and feed emergency responses.

The Animal Feed Program (AFP) within the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division serves the people and animals of Washington and beyond by regulating the safety and integrity of animal food, to protect animal and public health, and ensure market fairness. WSDA AFP regulates animal food manufacturers, distributors, and guarantors (responsible party). Our work extends not only statewide but nationally and internationally for those companies that do business in Washington. We register and review pet and specialty pet food products, license firms, conduct field activities such as inspections, sampling, investigations, recalls and technical assistance and provide outreach and education. WSDA AFP has implemented and is maintaining the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS), which is a set of eleven standards utilized to improve animal food regulatory programs as well as implement preventive controls regulatory activities, and to encourage domestic mutual reliance amongst animal food regulatory agencies and an integrated food safety system.

The Central WA Field Inspector serves the AFP in carrying out objectives and tasks in its strategic action plan, specifically performing field activities such as inspections, investigations, sample collections, technical assistance, recall activities and compliance/enforcement actions at any applicable facility within the state to protect animals and humans from misbranded or adulterated/contaminated animal food or ingredients. The Field Inspector demonstrates a strong working knowledge of the applicable federal and state laws, rules, and regulations related to animal food.

This position performs field activities independently while prescribing to set procedures, policies or directives. This position discerns between major and minor violations and one-time, isolated events vs. pattern or history of violations while documenting observations in an articulate and well-organized manner. This position also collects samples for various analyses (e.g. prohibited materials, pathogens, mycotoxins, etc.) while correctly completing the necessary sampling documentation. Following procedures/policies/directives and proper documentation of field activities is essential as they could be used for evidence in enforcement actions, or the potential for providing testimony for legal actions. In addition, this position serves as the primary liaison between industry partners and the Animal Feed Program for technical assistance related to animal food and may provide outreach to stakeholders.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time permanent Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position within the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division, Animal Feed Program.

The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position is approved for a home duty station in Kittitas County, Yakima County, Douglas County, Grant County, Benton County, Other Negotiable Central Washington Location, or Pierce County WA but needs to be willing and able to travel statewide for inspections.

Some workdays may be outside a typical 8-hour schedule and rarely weekend work may be necessary. The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position is represented by the Washington Public Employees Association.

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 54 Step A $60,132 - Step L $78,912 annually.

Requirements

Some of what you'll do:

Conduct inspections, investigations and compliance/enforcement related to animal food

• Perform independent or joint inspections and investigations under the authority of the Washington State and under contract with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
• Interpret, apply and ensure compliance with federal, state, and departmental laws, requirements, regulations, policies, and procedures applicable to Animal Feed Program and WSDA.
• Discern between critical and significant observations that may indicate patterns or history of incompliance and risk during inspectional and investigational activities.
• Document inspectional and investigational findings as prescribed by the Animal Feed Program and/or federal partners.
• Identify adulterated, contaminated or misbranded products, unregistered products, or unlicensed firms in the field and reports findings in a timely manner to appropriate Animal Feed staff.
• Conduct appropriate or assigned compliance/enforcement actions.
• Conduct Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) Reviews and completes reports in a timely manner.

Conduct sampling activities of animal food and animal food ingredients

• Collect samples of animal food and animal food ingredients under Washington State authority and under contract with the FDA.
• Collect samples in response to consumer complaints or compliance/enforcement follow-up activities.
• Prepare, document, store, and ship samples in an appropriate and timely manner.

Provide technical assistance and communicate with stakeholders

• Provide technical assistance to licensees, registrants, agency representatives, and stakeholders regarding animal food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.

Qualifications

Who should apply?
Professionals with:

• A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution involving major study in agriculture, microbiology, animal science/nutrition, public or environmental health, food science or technology, biochemistry, or natural science in a closely allied field.

• One (1) year of professional experience in a public health regulatory, food manufacturing environment, or animal food-based agriculture industry.

• Must hold and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required. FDA Commission qualifications (subject to change, discretion, and further inquiry by FDA):
  • Meets qualification for FSCS position duties.
  • Citizen of US.
  • No felonies/misdemeanors (excluding minor traffic offenses) or pending trials/investigations for such.

Preferred / Desired Qualifications:

• Experience conducting inspections or audits emphasizing preventive controls for animal food (PCAF) or human food; current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMP) for medicated feed, animal food or human food; Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalitis (BSE) control and prevention.
• Experience and proficiency with technology such as Microsoft and Adobe, and inspection/audit databases, etc. and understand basic cyber security protection.
• Demonstrated history of fostering teamwork, maintaining confidentiality, self-motivation, excellent customer service, problem resolution, producing high-quality work, accepting accountability and responsibility for work product and making sound judgment for decisions which affect clients, coworkers, or other stakeholders.
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with attention to detail and the ability to convey policy language into easily understood concepts as well as strong proactive, respectful communication habits with regards to interacting with various audiences including co-workers, management, and regulatory/industry partners.
• Demonstrated ability in establishing professional relationships based on trust and mutual respect, collaborative and cooperative problem solving, and soliciting input from and trusting the decisions of others.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt to change and implement creative thinking. Learns from mistakes and makes lasting improvements based on lessons learned.

Additional Information

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, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 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 and would be the ideal candidate

· At least two 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.