Retail Food Safety - Special Processes Analyst

Full Job Description

This is an internal posting.

Only current employees of the SC Department of Agriculture (SCDA) will be considered.

Do you have a passion for food safety education and for building partnerships with industry? Do you possess strong critical thinking skills and exceptional attention to detail?

Do you enjoy researching technical information and maintaining databases? If so, then this position is a great opportunity for you!

The South Carolina Department of Agriculture is hiring a Retail Food Safety Special Processes Analyst. Your duties as a Retail Food Safety Special Processes Analyst will include duties such as:

• Providing technical assistance to Retail Food Safety staff regarding permit reviews, special processes, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Cottage Food and other operational exemption requests.
• Assisting with training staff on Retail Food Safety regulations and special processes, to include preparing training materials and updating Standard Operating Procedures.
• Maintaining all required Quality Assurance/Quality Control activities including but not limited to proficiency testing and standardization.
• Conducting Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) plan reviews and approvals, and field verification audits and surveys.
• Assisting Retail Food Establishments regarding operational variances and special processes to ensure compliance with state regulations.
• Collaborating with SCDA's Rapid Response Team on training events and assisting in investigations of foodborne illness outbreaks.
• Maintaining various databases.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in the natural or physical sciences or a related field.

Natural or physical science may include, but is not limited to Food Science, Nutrition, Agriculture, Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science, Public Health, etc.

and at least one (1) year as a Retail Food Safety Inspector.

An associate's degree in the natural or physical sciences or related field, at least one (1) year experience as a Retail Food Safety Inspector and a minimum of four (4) years of other environmental health experience may be substituted with approval from the State Department of Human Resources.

A valid state driver's license and ability to operate a motorized vehicle.

Qualifications

• Credential or experience as an educator.
• General knowledge of functions and interdependence of the public health laws, sanitation principles and practices.
• Be capable of dealing effectively with the public and regulated community.
• Ability to bend, climb, and stoop in order to take samples and conduct inspections.
• Ability to travel daily throughout the state as program or region workloads demand.
• Overnight travel, weekend, after hours, and holiday work may be required.

Additional Information

• Must earn HACCP and Better Process Control for Acidified Food certifications within one (1) year of being in this position.
• Ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive oral and written reports.
• Must be able to break down complex detail, explain to the public clearly, and assess for understanding.
• Position requires a high degree of organizational skills and strong attention to detail.
• Strong administrative ability; proficient in MS Office.
• Ability to communicate effectively and cooperatively with various audiences.
• Must have ability to exercise judgment in applying and interpreting policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to prepare technical reports/written correspondence with accurate technical regulatory language.
• Must work effectively in a transparent, team-oriented environment.
• Position is based on the campus of the Columbia State Farmers Market. This is not a remote position.