Agriculture Compliance Specialist 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, 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.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

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

1.      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.

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

3.      The produce safety compliance specialist conducts announced and unannounced inspections of produce farms with a risk-based approach.

4.      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.

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

Job Summary:

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:

•           Inspects and investigates produce farms and packing sheds.

•           Performs duties to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations and the Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR part 112).

•           Conducts inspections of all assigned firms using established risk-based 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 GMPs 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 the 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 provide technical explanations to industry people when needed.

•           Brief person in charge of inspection or investigation findings, detailing corrective action when necessary, completing supportive documentation in an accurate and timely manner.

•           Document all correspondence, including emails and observation 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 promptly.

•           Maintains all state-issued equipment properly.

•           Works with other State and Federal agencies.

1.      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.

1.      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 relationships with produce farmers 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 the supervisor.

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

•           Advises the supervisor of problems and/or concerns in any new sanitarian’s territory promptly.

•           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.

 Physical Demands:

•           Climbing stairs in high ranges

•           Water exposure

•           Exposure to different temperatures

•           Long travel days

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 the Windows computer operating system and applications.

•           Working knowledge of the WinWam data system.

·        Familiar with the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).

•           Experience working with produce growers.

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducts background checks on all final candidates.  The hiring of applicants is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background and 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 the large volume of submissions received by this office, 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 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. *