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Job Title:  

Agriculture Compliance Specialist 1 - Produce Food Safety

Job Requisition ID:

JR0000000323

Number of Openings:

1

Shift:

Not Applicable (United States of America)

Compensation Details:

$48,000.00

Job Description:

We at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) take our responsibilities to you very seriously and are committed to protecting and promoting Georgia's agriculture through superior service and leadership.

• The mission of the GDA is to protect consumers, promote agriculture locally and globally, and assist our customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.

• The vision of the GDA is to continue to be a globally recognized leader in agricultural excellence through a commitment to safety, quality, growth, and innovation.

Position Overview:

This position is located within the Produce Safety Program of the Food Safety Division of the GDA.

• The Produce Safety Program is responsible to inspect each farm, mixed-type facility, warehouse, or establishment in which produce is grown, harvested, packed, or held for introduction into commerce and any vehicle being used to transport or hold produce to commerce for compliance with this Chapter 40-7-20 and any other applicable law or regulation enforced by the Department.

• Regulated farms can include CEA’s, sprouts, Packing Houses, Hydroponic/Aquaponic, and U-pick operations, that conduct covered activities such as the safe growing, harvesting, packing, and holding activities that are regularly consumed raw.

• The produce safety compliance specialist conduct announced and unannounced inspections of produce farms with a risk-based approach.
• All produce safety compliance specialists must successfully complete FDA Produce Inspections for Regulators FD226), On Farm Readiness Review, and the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) training.

Each position is assigned to a specific territory in which they are required to reside:

• Forsyth
• Newton- primary 
• Gwinnett
• Jackson
• Bibb
• Walton
• Peach
• Henry
• Barrow
• Butts
• Monroe
• Crawford
• Morgan
• Jasper
• Jones
• Twiggs
• Hall

Job Summary:

Duties of this position include but are not limited to:

Inspects and investigators produce farms and packing sheds.  Performs duties in a manner to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations and the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR part 112’s).

Conducts inspections of all assigned firms using established risk base frequencies and procedures based on applicable laws, rules and regulations relative to 21 CFR part 112’s, Produce safety Rule.

Observes employees of farms, contracted harvested crews, or packing sheds for adherence to health and food sanitation regulations and GMP’s governing cleanliness.

Advises farm, contracted harvesting crews, and packing shed managers and personnel about health and food sanitation rules and regulations.

Notifies supervisors immediately when farms, contracted harvested crews, or packing sheds have imminent food sanitation hazards, do not meet minimum standards, or when problems or significant changes in assigned area occur.

Reviews plans and specifications for new or renovated establishments.  Consults with owners and/or builders to bring plans into compliance with applicable rules and regulations and provides technical explanations to industry persons when needed.

Briefs in charge on inspection or investigation findings, detailing corrective action when necessary, completing supportive documentation in an accurate and timely manner. Document all correspondence, including emails and observations reports, using clear, concise sentences with correct grammar.

Responsible for working an 8- hour day focused on maintaining and updating your assigned territory, including regularly keeping farm history in WinWam and identifying new farms to build inventory within your territory.

May be required to work and stay overnight, if necessary, outside your territory to conduct inspections, or verify exemption verifications.

Submit timesheets, truck mileage, weekly activities, and concur expenses in a timely manner.

Maintains all State issued equipment properly.

Works with other State and Federal agencies,

Maintains knowledge of current policies, laws, regulations and developments in the field by reading appropriate policy notices, interpretations and attending training sessions, meetings and conferences.

Attends district and agency meetings as required to maintain knowledge of health and food safety programs.  Attend conferences and training courses as scheduled.

Reads, interprets, communicates and applies information disseminated from policy directives.

Provides consultation, information, technical assistance and in-service training to farms, contracted harvesters, and packing shed personnel, industry and other personnel regarding health and food sanitation, rules and regulations and their enforcement.  Maintains relationship with produce farmers i and related entities, including Federal, State, and local agencies.

Provides orientation and on the job training in proper inspection and investigation methods to new staff as requested by supervisor.

Provides consultation and technical assistance to other personnel on health and food sanitation issues.

Advises supervisor of problems and/or concerns in any new sanitarian’s territory in a timely manner.

Attends produce safety association meetings and conferences as required.

Fosters a cooperative working relationship with industry, as well as academia.

Fosters a cooperative working relationship with Federal, State, and local agencies.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, animal science, biology, chemistry or a related area from an accredited college or university OR certification as a Registered Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preference will be given to applicants, who, in addition to meeting the Minimum Qualifications, possess knowledge, skills and abilities in the following areas:

• 4-6 months of professional experience conducting inspections and investigations for compliance with established state and federal health and food sanitation laws, rules and regulations;

• Working knowledge of Windows computer operating systems and applications.
• Working knowledge of the WinWam data system.
• Familiar with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR)
• Experience working with produce growers.

Physical Demands:

• Constant standing/walking
• Climbing stairs in high ranges
• Water exposure
• Exposure to different temperatures
• Long travel days

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducts background checks on all final candidates. The hiring of applicants is contingent upon satisfactory employment verification results, background, criminal records investigations, and motor vehicle reports.

HOW TO APPLY:  Resumes may be submitted by adding to your profile in Team Georgia Careers:

• Via Team Georgia Careers http://team.georgia.gov/careers/

The GDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to this office's large volume of submissions, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided. Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the interview process. Applicants who are not selected will not receive a notification.

If you need accommodation, please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 656-3615.

** The position will be closed once a suitable candidate is identified *

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in agronomy, animal science, biology, chemistry or a related area from an accredited college or university OR certification as a Registered Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

The State of Georgia does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, or other protected categories in employment or the provision of services.
Qualified applicants may request reasonable accommodation when needed during the application and/or screening process by contacting the appropriate agency Human Resources department.