Position Location and or Agency:
Minnesota Department of Agriculture is excited to share that two Agricultural Specialist/Agricultural Advisor positions have been posted in the Retail Food Program: Job ID 97061 and Job ID 97047. They are both located in the southeastern portion of the state. The positions support the essential work we do in retail food safety: conducting inspections, licensing, investigations, and providing education to help keep Minnesota’s food supply safe. Candidates may qualify at either the Specialist or Advisor level depending on their experience. If you know someone who may be a great fit, please help us share these opportunities.
Position Description:
Agricultural Specialist - This entry level position within the Food and Feed Safety Division exists to achieve Program goals, objectives, and outcomes by establishing and carrying out a detailed work plan that effectively (1) performs inspections, compliance, and enforcement activities in food establishments, for assurance and general enforcement of State food safety laws and regulations; (2) under general supervisory direction and oversight, performs licensing, investigations and response activities; and (3) provides information and technical assistance for clientele with respect to retail food safety issues or compliance with state retail food safety laws and regulations.
Agricultural Advisor - This advanced level position within the Food and Feed Safety Division exists to achieve Program goals, objectives, and outcomes by establishing and carrying out a detailed work plan that effectively (1) conducts inspections, licensing, investigations, response, compliance, and enforcement activities in food establishments, for assurance and general enforcement of State food safety laws and regulations; (2) provides information and technical assistance for clientele with respect to retail food safety issues or compliance with State retail food safety laws and regulations; and (3) provides training and assessment on inspection, sampling, compliance, licensing, investigation, and response activities for State Agricultural Specialists and local retail food regulatory staff.
This position is a remote worker position which is defined as an employee who, as a condition of their appointment, has their home or alternative location as the assigned work location, works permanently from that location, and does not have an agency permanent/principal work location. Currently the MDA does not allow remote work locations outside of the State of Minnesota. For more information refer to HR/LR Policy #1447 Remote Worker Policy: https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1447-remoteworker.pdf
- These are remote worker positions based out of a home office in southeastern Minnesota, with primary inspection areas in the following counties, although work assignments may be made throughout the state as needed to achieve program goals.
- Job 97061 – primarily based in Wabasha, Olmsted, Winona, Fillmore, and Houston.
- Job 97047 – primarily based in Steele, Dodge, Olmsted, Faribault, Freeborn, and Mower.
Position Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications
One (1) year of experience conducting environmental health or food safety regulatory work (inspection, investigation, HACCP/Food Safety Plan review); or equivalent experience performing technical food safety, sanitation, or quality-controlled work in food production, processing, or environmental health settings.
OR
An associate’s degree in general science, natural science, agricultural or animal science, food science, environmental science, or a closely related field PLUS six (6) months of experience as described above.
OR
A bachelor’s degree in general science, natural science, agricultural or animal science, food science, environmental science, or a closely related field.
AND
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
- The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Agricultural Advisor - To qualify for the Agricultural Advisor level, applicants must meet the following qualifications:
Two (2) years of experience conducting food safety regulatory work (inspection, investigation, HACCP or specialized process review); or equivalent experience performing advanced food safety, quality assurance, or compliance work in food manufacturing or regulatory environments, including responsibility for identifying violations, recommending corrective actions, or conducting technical reviews.
OR
An associate’s degree in general science, natural science, agricultural or animal science, food science, environmental science, or a directly related field PLUS 18 months of experience as described above.
OR
A bachelor’s degree in one of the fields listed above PLUS one (1) year of experience as described above.
AND
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Detailed knowledge and understanding of applicable Minnesota food safety laws and regulations
- Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review
- Ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment
Preferred Qualifications
Agricultural Specialist
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in a field listed from an accredited institution.
- Certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota the National Environmental Health Association.
- Retail Foods Regulator Certification (RFRC) from the Association of Food and Drug Officials.
- More than one (1) year of experience with public health regulatory work (i.e., inspection, compliance, enforcement, retail HACCP verification) in retail food establishments.
- Demonstrated knowledge of applicable Minnesota food safety laws and regulations.
- Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Agricultural Advisor
- A bachelor’s degree or higher in a field listed from an accredited institution.
- Certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association,
- Retail Foods Regulator Certification (FSRC) from the Association of Food and Drug Officials.
- More than two (2) years of experience with regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, plan review, response, retail HACCP) in retail food establishments.
- Experience training and/or assessing risk-based inspections of regulatory staff.
- Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience, skill, and comfort with public speaking.
Position Closing Date:
Postings close October 7
Link to Posting:
Job ID 97061: Food Specialist or Food Advisor - Agricultural Specialist or Agricultural Advisor, Food option- Job ID 97061
Job ID 97047: Food Specialist or Food Advisor - Agricultural Specialist or Agricultural Advisor, Food option- Job ID 97047