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, both 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 Dairy Program of the Food Safety Division of the GDA.

·        The Dairy Program is responsible for enforcing state and federal laws, rules, and regulations by conducting sanitation inspections of dairy farms and plants.

·        Regulated firms include dairy farms, Grade A milk plants, ice cream plants, cheese plants single service plants, tanker wash stations, and dairy substations/warehouses to ensure compliance with the Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO), and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

·        The dairy compliance specialist collects samples, reviews sanitation practices, reviews records, and product labels along with conducting random and unannounced inspections of dairy establishments that are licensed by the GDA.

·        All manufactured food compliance specialists must complete advanced training in various specialized processing operations.

THIS POSITION IS ASSIGNED TO THE FOLLOWING COUNTIES:

APPLICANT MUST RESIDE IN ONE OF THESE COUNTIES OR BE WILLING TO RELOCATE:

1.    BIBB

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

·        Conducts inspections of all assigned firms using established frequencies and procedures based on applicable laws, rules, and regulations relative to sanitation, physical requirements, the accuracy of scales, food safety, product labeling, refrigeration, finished product testing, and reporting of positive results, etc.

·        Observe employees of food and dairy firms for adherence to health and food sanitation regulations and GMP’s governing cleanliness.

·        Advises dairy firm managers and personnel about health and food sanitation rules and regulations.

·        Notifies supervisor immediately when food or dairy firms have imminent food sanitation hazards, do not meet minimum standards, or when problems or significant changes in the assigned area occur.

·        Review plans and specifications for new or renovated food establishments. Consult with owners and/or builders to bring plans into compliance with applicable rules and regulations and provide technical explanations to industry persons when needed.

·        Submits license applications, documents, and fees by established policies, laws, rules, and regulations.

·        Briefs the dairy firm’s person in charge of inspection or investigation findings, detailing corrective actions, when necessary, and completing supportive documentation in an accurate and timely manner.

·        Issues stop-sale orders or witnesses’ voluntary destruction of food items suspected of being adulterated, contaminated, or misbranded.

·        Maintains all State-issued equipment properly.

·        On assigned dairy firms - Maintains a minimum enforcement rating on State ratings and federal check ratings of 90, showing a high degree of assisting and following up on violations found in any application area.

·        Examines plant records to ascertain that required specialized training and documentation comply with regulations during each inspection.

·        Works with other State and Federal agencies as assigned.

·        Requires a high degree of organization and record-keeping skills.

·        Collects samples of dairy finished products, environmental swabs, raw milk, glycol, and water samples as necessary from all firms in assigned areas of responsibility and/or as directed according to established procedures. Distribute samples to laboratories for analysis.

·        Ensures integrity of samples utilizing sanitary sampling procedures and transported within the established time frame.

·        Select and pack all samples securely and properly identified for transport to the laboratory.

·        Selects and packs perishable samples under refrigeration for transport to the laboratory according to established requirements in a timely and efficient manner.

·        Submits an accurate and complete collection report for each sample to the food, dairy, and/or pesticide laboratory with all required information that accompanies the sample.

·        After laboratory analyses, conduct a follow-up inspection if needed, and implement corrective action as required for violative results promptly.

·        After laboratory analyses, re-samples indicated products if needed, and implement corrective action as required for violative results promptly.

·        Collects, secures, and submits environmental swabs by rules, regulations, policies, and guidance documents.

·        Supervises the collection of environmental swabs by employees of food and dairy facilities when applicable.

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

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

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

·        Prepares and completes agency, State, and Federal forms.

·        Completes time and activities in the electronic database in an efficient and timely manner.

·        Prepares and submits mileage and expense reports which are accurate and complete to the supervisor on the last working day of the month.

·        Completes FDA Contracts and other federal forms in a complete, accurate, and timely manner.

Other duties as assigned.

1.      All Agriculture Compliance specialists must complete advanced training in various specialized processing operations.

2.      Please be advised that the selected candidate can be hired at any level, depending on the candidate’s documented education and experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Agriculture Compliance Specialist 1 - $39,500.00

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.

Agriculture Compliance Specialist 2 - $43,000.00

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 AND One year of experience conducting inspections and investigations for compliance or certification as a Registered Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist AND One year of experience conduction inspection and investigation for compliance OR One year of experience required at the low-level Agriculture Compliance Specialist 1 (RCP040) or position equivalent.

Agriculture Compliance Specialist 3 - $46,000.00

Bachelor’s degree in Agronomy, Animal Science, Biology, Chemistry, or a related area from an accredited college or university AND Two years of experience conducting inspections and investigations for compliance or certification as a Registered Sanitarian or Environmental Health Specialist AND Two years of experience conduction inspection and investigation for compliance OR One year of experience required at the low-level Agriculture Compliance Specialist 2 (RCP041) or position equivalent.

Physical Demands:

·        Constant standing/walking

·        Climbing of stairs in high ranges

·        Water Exposure

·        Exposure to different temperatures

·        Long travel days

NOTE:  If you are applying for this position based on college credit, please submit a copy of your college transcript with your application. This will help determine if you meet the qualifications for this position based on your education. Failure to submit a transcript may result in not being eligible for this specific position if qualifying based on education.

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:

1.      Certification as a registered sanitarian or registered environmental health specialist by the National Environmental Health Association (NEHA).

2.      Two years of professional experience conducting inspections and investigations for compliance with established state and federal health and food and/or milk sanitation laws, rules, and regulations.

3.      Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

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.