Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2

Full Job Description

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This recruitment is open until filled.

The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of November 26, 2025. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before November 25, 2025. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

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.

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

The Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 position is approved for a home duty station in Chelan or Okanogan 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 occasional 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: $58,380 Step A - $76,608 Step L annually.

Requirements

• Evaluate firm’s control of public health risks by performing independent inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food.
• Base inspections on the appropriate state and/or federal regulation and program policy.
• Conduct federally mandated Grade 'A' Dairy testing of pasteurization equipment and evaluation of bulk milk haulers and samplers by written and practical examination.
• Discern between critical and minor violations and provides technical assistance to industry whenever possible.

• Provide clear and concise oral and written reports of inspection and investigation findings.
• Prepare written reports that serve as the foundation for initiation of enforcement actions including on-the-spot product diversions (voluntary option to avoid embargo), embargo or stop sale actions.
• Provide documentation to include but not limited to; photographs, product labels or processing records.
• Assist the program in development and review of compliance cases as needed.

• Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement.
• Provide applicants with technical assistance to achieve licensing status including the review of construction and remodel plans for compliance.
• Participate in developing technical brochures and factsheets to aid and education to stakeholders, peers, and other regulatory officials.
• Coordinate and work with other state, local and federal agencies in actions, inspections, investigations, and training dealing with issues of food safety.

• Collect dairy product and water samples at mandated intervals to comply with federal regulation.
• Routinely sample food items for scheduled surveillance testing.
• Conduct follow-up investigations in response to laboratory results.
• Participate in environmental swabbing events as part of FDA contract and state surveillance assignments.
• Investigate and sample when inspection observations indicate a potential for public health risk. Sampling activities may include focused aseptic environmental and product sampling to determine the extent or source of a particular issue of public health concern.

• Investigate consumer complaints per state policy and initiates appropriate action.
• Act as field support for recall effectiveness checks and other food borne health events.
• Processes often involve compliance processes such as embargo or stop sale actions to remove food from distribution.

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree involving major study in microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, business or a natural science in a closely allied field. Note - Additional qualifying experience will substitute year for year, for education.

• Possess and maintain a valid driver's license.
• Must be able to provide their own functional home internet connection and sufficient workspace as this position is an assigned home office workstation.
• Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required.

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

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.

• 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.