Title: Food Technical Specialist #01409

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $44,982 - $65,000 annually ($53,529-$75,000 annually for NOVA pay area. See full details below.)

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS NOVA

Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Food Technical Specialist within the Food Safety Program. The successful candidate will be responsible for the following: providing regular consultations, recommendations and technical assistance to the retail and wholesale regulated industry; inspecting, evaluating and reporting on complex retail and manufactured food operations and establishments; conducting ongoing food and dietary supplement related technical research; coordinating, creating, and providing guidance documents, field training manuals, and other publications for Food Safety Specialists, consumers, the industry and other relevant clients; evaluating new food related business proposals, implementing and coordinating ongoing and periodic special projects as assigned by management.
This position can be located anywhere in the Northern Virginia Region of the VDACS Food Safety Program. The selected individual will establish and work from a home office under the guidance and direction of a regional field office and will be required to live in or convenient to the Northern Virginia Region (cities/counties of: Arlington, Alexandria, Clarke, Fairfax, Frederick, Loudoun, Prince William, Warren and Winchester). The use of a state vehicle will be provided for business use only and must remain parked within the assigned territory.

Minimum Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess thorough knowledge of food safety and food science practices and principles; of complex food processing and food handling procedures of food establishments; of all applicable state and federal laws and regulations related to foods; and of the regulatory inspection process, product labeling, food processing, food microbiology & Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) concepts. Proficient in the use of standard software applications. Must have the demonstrated ability to interpret and apply laws and regulations; to compose relevant standard operating procedures, guidance and other documents; to perform technical science-based research related to food, dietary supplement and regulatory issues and make independent technical decisions; to work both independently and in a team environment; to effectively communicate, both written and orally; to be self-motivated and customer service-oriented; and to effectively plan and organize work activities and successfully interact with the food safety staff, the public, the food industry and other regulatory agencies. Must have the ability to make autonomous decisions and to take appropriate actions in diverse circumstances and environments. Experienced in independently dealing with food safety in both retail and manufacturing regulatory environments and in providing technical guidance or training. Must have (or be eligible for) and maintain a valid driver’s license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety.

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge of food science, biology, chemistry, environmental health or a related field. Experience applying food safety principles, food processing and related quality and safety controls at the government level.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Hiring Salary Range: $44,982 - $65,000 annually. If the selected candidate resides within the Northern Virginia Pay Area of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Prince William, Loudoun, or Manassas/Manassas Park, then the hiring salary range is $53,529-$75,000 annually.
Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff, and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 804-371-8577

Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.