Food Safety Specialist (Central Iowa)

Full Job Description

Only applicants who meet the Minimum Qualification Requirements and meet all selective requirements (listed below) will be placed on the eligible list.

Does the daily grind have you looking for a new opportunity?

Are you seeking a professional level position that gives you the freedom to work independently, manage your own work schedule and provides an opportunity for a good work-life balance?

Our team of Food Safety Specialists come from a variety of backgrounds and tend to have a passion for food and public service.

They are primarily responsible for conducting risk-based inspections of a variety of food and lodging businesses.

Food Safety Specialists work four ten-hour days and typically begin and end their work day at home.

We equip them with a state vehicle, inspection equipment, extensive training, a comprehensive support system and the knowledge they need to thrive.

Candidates for this position must reside in or be willing to relocate to one of the following Iowa counties upon acceptance of the position; Polk, Dallas & Warren counties.

Who We Are

At DIAL, our mission is to Achieve Compliance Through Education, Regulation, and Due Process for a Safe and Healthy Iowa. We strive to be an effective, efficient, and approachable regulatory agency.

DIAL is comprised of eight core operational divisions, including Administrative Hearings, Health & Safety, Licensing, and more.

We’re not just a regulatory agency, we’re a team dedicated to protecting the health, safety, and overall well-being of Iowans.

Position Overview:

Food Safety Specialists are assigned inspections in a specific geographic region and are responsible for conducting risk-based inspections using an electronic inspection system.

They plan and complete assigned inspections according to policies and procedures. Some inspections are scheduled with the food business; however, most are unannounced.

For the technology buffs, some of our inspections are conducted virtually.

During a risk-based inspection our Food Safety Specialists:

• Observe food handling and sanitation practices and behaviors in restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, food stands, food processing facilities and other food business
• Ask investigative and informational questions to understand food preparation processes from beginning to end
• Identify critical food safety gaps and regulatory violations and work directly with operators to make timely corrections
• Provide food safety education and resources to food businesses

What We’re Seeking

We’re looking for a motivated and organized professional who is passionate about food and public service. Successful candidates will possess the following skills and abilities:

• Knowledge of the food industry
• Possesses a high level of organization and communication skills
• Experience solving problems
• Displays high standards of professional conduct, and
• Curious, inquisitive and detail-oriented

What We Offer

Joining DIAL means contributing to a safer and healthier Iowa, and in return, you will enjoy:

• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
• Four ten-hour working days a week
• Home-based work environment
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Optional 401A plan with employer contribution.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program for support when you need it most.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more)
• For additional information on benefits click here.

Excited to pursue the next step in your career? Apply today and be part of a team making a difference in Iowa!

Background check required.

Food Science selective is required (12 semester hours in microbiology, biology, food science, chemistry, hospitality management or other science related to food safety OR 6 months of experience applying food science and microbiology knowledge to prepare or process food safely, including but not limited to managing a food establishment's food safety program, quality assurance staff, chef, or management of a food establishment or manufacturing facility; experience applying food safety regulations such as the FDA Food Code or Good Manufacturing Practices; or a combination of both experience and education.

E-Verify and Right to WorkThe State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov.

Requirements

941 Food Science: 12 semester hours in microbiology, biology, food science, chemistry, hospitality management or other science related to food safety (Please attach an unofficial transcript)
OR
6 months of experience applying food science and microbiology knowledge to prepare or process food safely, including but not limited to managing a food establishments food safety program, quality assurance staff, chef, or management of a food establishment or manufacturing facility; experience applying food safety regulations such as the FDA Food Code or Good Manufacturing Practices; or a combination of both experience and education.

Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in natural science

OR

an equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of full-time professional work in an environmental, radiation control, environmental health or food sanitation program for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.

For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.