Career Posting:Agricultural Specialist / Agricultural Advisor (Ramsey/Hennepin/Carver County)
Minnesota Department of Agriculture Is seeking qualified candidates to fill the following position Agricultural Specialist / Agricultural Advisor (Ramsey/Hennepin/Carver County).
Position Description: Agricultural Specialist: This position exists to achieve Program goals and objectives by establishing and carrying out a detailed work plan that effectively (1) performs inspections, investigations, compliance, and enforcement activities in food establishments, for assurance and general enforcement of State food safety laws and regulations; and (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.
Agricultural Advisor: This position exists to achieve Program goals and objectives by establishing and carrying out a detailed work plan that effectively (1) performs inspections, investigations, 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 inspection training and evaluation for State and local retail food regulatory staff.
This position is located in St. Paul and may have the ability to telework. This position performs work in an inspection territory including portions of the following counties: Ramsey, Hennepin, and Carver.
Position Requirements:Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
Agricultural Specialist – To qualify for the Agricultural Specialist level, applicants must meet the following qualifications:
One year experience conducting environmental health regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, plan review, retail HACCP); or equivalent experience in environmental health quality assurance
OR
A bachelor’s degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in science courses
AND
Must be educationally qualified to obtain certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association.
Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
This position requires 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 years of experience conducting retail food regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, plan review, retail HACCP); or equivalent experience in industry food safety quality assurance
OR
A bachelor’s degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field PLUS one (1) year of experience conducting retail food regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, plan review, retail HACCP); or equivalent experience in industry food safety quality assurance
OR
A master’s degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field PLUS six (6) months of experience conducting food regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, plan review, retail HACCP); or equivalent experience in industry food safety quality assurance
AND
Must currently possess and maintain certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association.
Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
This position requires the ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Agricultural Specialist:
Certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association.
An advanced degree such as a MS, MPH, or higher in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field.
Experience with regulatory work (i.e., inspection, plan review, investigation, compliance, enforcement, retail HACCP) in retail food establishments.
Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience, skill, and comfort with public speaking.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Agricultural Advisor:
An advanced degree such as a MS, MPH, or higher in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field.
More than two (2) years of experience with regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, plan review, retail HACCP) in retail food establishments.
Experience training and/or evaluating risk-based inspections of internal and external regulatory staff.
Experience leading or coordinating projects.
Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience, skill, and comfort with public speaking.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Physical Requirements
Agricultural Specialists and Agricultural Advisors conduct inspections and investigations in the field as needed to ensure compliance with State food safety laws and regulations. The work requires the ability to:
Occasionally maintain a stationary position for extended periods of time such as prolonged standing or sitting.
Ascend, descend ladders and steps.
Position self to move/transport food products during investigation and inspection work.
Traverse uneven and/or slippery walking surfaces.
Work in wet, hot, and cold environmental conditions.
Detect shades of product color to make appropriate product acceptability decisions.
Communicate effectively with supervisors and workers in both office and field workplace locations that may be noisy environments.
Detect product abnormalities through a sense of smell.
Position closes on:2025-02-12