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Posted: March 25, 2026 (1 day ago)

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Food Safety Inspector / WEST Wholesale Food Region - Food Industry Field Scientist 9-P11

State of Michigan

Agriculture and Rural Development

Fresh

Location

Michigan, 48909

Salary

$25.03 - $42.18

per hour

Closes

April 7, 2026

SES Pay Grade

Base salary range: $147,649 - $221,900

Typical requirements: Executive-level leadership experience. Senior executive qualifications required.

Note: Actual salary includes locality pay (15-40%+ depending on location).

Job Description

Summary

This job involves traveling to food processing plants, bakeries, stores, and warehouses to check for cleanliness, proper construction, and safe food handling, while also investigating complaints about foodborne illnesses and ensuring accurate labeling.

It's a field role based from home, focused on protecting public health and supporting Michigan's food industry.

A good fit would be someone detail-oriented with strong communication skills, who enjoys hands-on work, can handle conflicts calmly, and is willing to live in or relocate near Kent or Ottawa County.

Key Requirements

  • Live in Kent or Ottawa County or within 15 minutes, or be willing to relocate within 10 months of hire
  • Perform field inspections of food facilities for compliance with state sanitation, construction, and adulteration laws
  • Investigate foodborne illnesses and consumer complaints
  • Enforce rules on food packaging and labeling
  • Demonstrate strong observation, listening, and communication skills
  • Utilize sound decision-making, prioritize risks, and handle conflicts effectively
  • Follow standard operating procedures from a home workstation

Full Job Description

Food and Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Michigan. Grow with us and make a difference!

About this Position:
The Human Food Division of MDARD has a mission to protect public health by ensuring a safe and wholesome food supply, while working to maintain a viable food industry. Food safety is the division's top priority. The Food Safety Inspector (Food Industry Field Scientist) is a field-based position that performs food safety regulatory inspections and related work within an assigned work area. This position requires the incumbent to live in Kent or Ottawa County or within 15 minutes OR be willing to re-locate to this area within 10 months of hire.



Click to learn more about becoming an MDARD Food Inspector:

Job Summary:
The purpose of the Food Safety Inspector’s (Food Industry Field Scientist) job is to serve the people of the State by assuring them safe, high quality food products. Under direct supervision, this position ensures the safety of the food supply and economic welfare of the people of Michigan by: Inspecting food processing plants, bakeries, retail stores and warehouses for compliance with state laws and regulations related to sanitation, construction and adulteration of food; investigating foodborne illnesses and other consumer complaints and, by enforcing rules related to the packaging and labeling of food products.

This field-based position functions from a home workstation and is required to follow established standard operating procedures and meet quantity, quality and timeliness standards for assigned work.

The ideal candidate will possess and be able to demonstrate key position-critical skills and abilities, including: enhanced observation, listening, and communication skills; the ability to project confidence; the ability to utilize and implement sound decision-making skills; the ability to prioritize risk; the ability and/or developing ability to handle conflict-type situations effectively; and, a professional demeanor and composure in all situations.

Position Description

MAP - Food Section - Wholesale Food Regions

About MDARD:
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is comprised of four Bureaus that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public's food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $125.8 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.

MDARD is committed to a department-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion program that builds upon our values and invests in our employees. We provide an inclusive culture through involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.

The State of Michigan offers a competitive benefits package for all career employees that include medical, dental and vision coverage, along with paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, retirement and much more. Click the following link to learn more:
State of Michigan – Employee Benefits

Requirements

Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in animal science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental health, food science/technology, microbiology, toxicology, veterinary science, or a related field including 10 semester (15 term) credits in a combination of biology and/or chemistry courses.
Experience
Food Industry Field Scientist 9
No specific type or amount is required.
Food Industry Field Scientist 10
One year of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist, including one year equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist 9.
Food Industry Field Scientist P11
Two years of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist, including one year equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist 10.

Additional Information


Please attach a cover letter, resume and official college transcripts to your application. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal.

Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.

Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.

Check your resume before applying to catch common mistakes

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Posted on NEOGOV: 3/25/2026 | Added to FreshGovJobs: 3/26/2026

Source: NEOGOV | ID: neogov-michigan-5282955