Agriculture Compliance Spec 1 – Produce Safety Compliance Specialist

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.

Applicant must reside in the following Counties or be willing to relocate:

• ALMA
• FITZGERALD
• COFFEE

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

Job Summary:

Duties of this position include but are not limited to: 

1. Inspects and investigates produce farms and packing sheds. Performs duties in a manner to ensures compliance with applicable rules and regulations and the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR part 112’s).
2. 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.
3. Observe employees of farms, contracted harvested crews, or packing sheds for adherence to health and food sanitation regulations and GMP’s governing cleanliness.
4. Advises farm, contracted harvesting crews, and packing shed managers and personnel about health and food sanitation rules and regulations.
5. Notifies supervisor 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 the assigned area occur.
6. Reviews plans and specifications for new or renovated 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.
7. Brief person in charge of inspection or investigation findings, detailing corrective action when necessary, and completing supportive documentation in an accurate and timely manner.
8. Maintains all State-issued equipment properly.
9. Works with other State and Federal agencies,
10. 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.
11. Attends district and agency meetings as required to maintain knowledge of health and food safety programs. Attends conferences and training courses as scheduled.
12. Reads, interprets, communicates, and applies information disseminated from policy directives.
13. Provides consultation, information, technical assistance, and in-service training to farms, contracted harvesters, packing shed personnel, industry, and other personnel regarding health and food sanitation, rules and regulations, and their enforcement. Maintains relationships with produce farmers and related entities, including Federal, State, and local agencies.
14. Provides orientation and on-the-job training in proper inspection and investigation methods to new staff as requested by supervisor.
15. Provides consultation and technical assistance to other personnel on health and food sanitation issues.
16. Advises supervisor of problems and/or concerns in any new sanitarian territory promptly.
17. Attends to produce safety association meetings and conferences as required.
18. Fosters a cooperative working relationship with industry, as well as academia.
19. Fosters a cooperative working relationship with Federal, State, and local agencies.
20. 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 system and applications.
• Working knowledge of the WinWam data system.
• Familiar with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR); and/or
• Experience working with produce growers.

Physical Demands:

(list the physical demands this job will require: IE: Standing for long periods: must be able to lift 50lb boxes; intermittent periods of walking, squatting, kneeling, or driving; exposure to the outdoor elements for extended periods, etc).

1. Constant standing/walking

2. Climbing of stairs in high ranges

3. Water Exposure

4. Exposure to different temperatures

5. 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.

Please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 656-3615 if you need accommodation.

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

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

Additional Information

• Agency Logo:
• Requisition ID: REG03YM
• Number of Openings: 1
• Advertised Salary: $48,080.00
• Shift: Day Job
• Posting End Date: Sep 15, 2024

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