Position Summary:The Food Safety Assistant assists and works under the direction of the Food Safety Manager at Lakeside Organic Gardens. This position is responsible for assisting with implementation of company food safety policies.

Job Duties and Responsibilities.

• Assist Food Safety Manager in all areas of food safety compliance
• Assist in third party audits, as well as “in-house” inspections of fields, crews, and facilities.
• Assist in monthly water, product sampling, fertilizer sampling and documented monthly field inspections.
• Ability to interact effectively with all levels of company staff and to work independently as needed.
• Maintain a safe working environment and accident free record.
• Assist in maintaining the food safety database.
• Implement sanitation protocols in the field.
• Ensure equipment is well-maintained.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Job Skills and Requirements:

• An attention to detail in all activities is imperative.
• A strong work ethic and job dedication is essential to be successful in this position.
• Good basic math, written and verbal communication skills is required.
• Computer literacy with familiarity with MS Outlook, Word, and Excel is preferred.
• Candidates must be well organized and comfortable working independently.
• Food safety knowledge is preferred.
• Clean DMV driving history / insurable.
• Candidate must be reliable and punctual.

Work Schedule:

• Monday through Friday 8 hours per day with occasional Saturday work

*Hours and times may change as planting / harvest conditions and season changes.

Education:

• High School graduate

Physical skills, mental abilities, and requirements:

The physical demands and work environment described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• May require walking for long periods of time on wet and uneven terrain as part of field sampling.
• Ability to travel independently and work in remote areas.
• Often standing, walking, sitting, reaching and turning for periods of time.
• Ability to work in an office and cooler environment with a temperature range between 34 – 70 plus degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to work in a field environment with a temperature ranging from 34 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Ability to lift forty pounds without undue physical exertion and ability to stoop, reach, walk, and other physical activities associated with an office and field environment.
• Ability to communicate verbally and comprehend verbal instructions and requires sufficient sight and hearing to perform all job functions.
• Positive attitude with willingness to pro-actively solve issues.
• Ability to carry out defined procedures with specific instructions and abilities to learn new duties with minimal repetition.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be a self starter, ability to work independently, and manage a project from its initiation to completion with minimal supervision.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with employees, supervisors, venders, and peers.

Food Safety experience is preferred but not required.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: From $18.00 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Experience level:

• 1 year
• 2 years
• No experience needed
• Under 1 year

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekends as needed

Work setting:

• In-person
• Office

Ability to Relocate:

• Watsonville, CA 95076: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person