Eastern Regional Manager | Internal

Full Job Description

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 Program is responsible for regulation, licensing, and inspection of food processing facilities, food storage warehouses, dairy farms and processing plants, cottage food operations, custom meat facilities, eggs, and cannabis-infused edibles.

The program also works closely with the dairy industry to maintain the ability to ship milk and milk products out-of-state, as well as with FDA and the Department of Health in conducting investigations of facilities and collecting samples for testing.

Food safety also issues export certificates. The Food Safety Program is a part of the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division.

The Eastern Regional Manager position independently directs, plans, develops, organizes, and evaluates effectiveness of the Food Safety Program. This position is responsible for assigned statewide duties as assigned by the Program Manager including, but not limited to, acting as a program specialist for the implementation of the Federal Food Safety Modernization Act. The Eastern Regional manager support the Food Safety Program by assisting with development, updating, and refining of program compliance and enforcement systems and any required Division compliance and enforcement systems assuring that the methods, practices, equipment, records and controls are in conformance with the Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards (MFRPS) and all standard operating procedures. This position works on assigned projects as well as working toward Lean process improvements, assisting with food safety incident response, and acting as a spokesperson to both internal and external stakeholders.

Requirements

Some of what you'll 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.

Quality Control and Enforcement

• Provide consultation, recommendations and evaluation to the Program Manager and compliance staff regarding the program’s 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, Inspector’s manual, Policies/Procedures, and guidance material.

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

Provide input to statewide Food Safety Program compliance policies, procedures, and enforcement standards and other state-wide projects.

• 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.

Incident Response

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.

Qualifications

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

• A Bachelor's 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 driver’s license.

Special Requirements:
FDA Commission qualifications (subject to change, discretion, and further inquiry by FDA):

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

In addition to the above qualifications, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will make a candidate highly desirable:

• 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.

Don’t let doubts stop you from applying for this position -If you have any questions about the required qualifications or how your past experience relates to them, please contact us at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov. Don’t hesitate to apply!

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.

Public employees in Washington State can take comfort in the security of their retirement funds. Our state pension system, administered through the Department of Retirement Systems, is 96% funded. This places us among the Top 5 pension systems in the nation!

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.

• 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 (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.