Wholesale Food Safety Inspection Officer – State of Indiana – Paoli, IN

The Food Scientist functions as a senior level wholesale food establishment specialist within the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) through education and enforcement of laws, rules and regulations governing the production, processing, packaging and distribution of foods. Conducts inspections, collects surveillance samples, interprets Code of Federal Regulations, statutes, administrative rules and guidance documents, and applies enforcement procedures as necessary to maintain compliance. This role conducts food inspections based on risk assessment, priority and necessary frequency. Specializes in providing consultation services to food manufacturers, food distribution facilities, food protection staff members, governmental agencies, trade associations and the general public, and maintains regulatory inspection records in the electronic database. This position is responsible for wholesale establishments in the following counties: Marion, Shelby, Decatur, Franklin, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio and Switzerland.

The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Conducts inspections of wholesale food establishments, collects food samples, conducts complaint investigations and utilizes the electronic database system to produce reports and track data;
• Reviews all inspection reports and documents for technical accuracy prior to submission to the electronic database system;
• Recommends compliance actions to the Wholesale Supervisor/Deputy Director for facility corrections and improvements, including the interpretation of state and federal laws regarding the facility an employee practices; recommends corrective actions;
• Reviews blueprints and specifications for new or remodeled food production/storage facilities and provides consultation for potential new food businesses;
• Consults with the other staff members as necessary to assure uniformity of rule interpretations and to maintain compliance with program standard operating procedures (SOPs) utilizing good written and verbal communication skills;
• Coordinates and conducts Interstate Food Transportation Assessment Projects with the Indiana State Police Motor Carrier Enforcement Division and provides detailed reports to the Food Protection Program Rapid Response Team Supervisor;
• Performs public speaking activities as requested or assigned by the Wholesale Supervisor/Deputy Director;
• Assists with the training and professional development of new Wholesale Food Safety Inspection Officers as assigned;
• Provides consultation, technical assistance and Program information when appropriate or requested to field staff, food industry representatives, consumers, trade associations and other governmental agencies;
• Provides consultation to staff, local health departments, other governmental agencies, etc. on investigations concerning hazardous events, such as fires, floods, tornadoes and truck/train wrecks or food processing equipment breakdowns and assures the disposal of dangerous, mislabeled or contaminated foods;
• Participates in meetings, conferences and training programs as assigned on local, state and national levels;
• Testifies in administrative hearings and court proceedings as to the status of wholesale food establishments subject to state and federal food protection rules and laws;
• Conducts special sampling or surveillance initiatives as assigned;
• Effectively uses electronic forms of communication and reporting tools, such as email, Internet and electronic data management system;
• Maintains updated electronic schedule always one week in advance and any deviations are immediately forwarded to the central office clerical staff;
• Attends educational meetings of professional organizations to develop relationships with other government and industry counterparts as time and resources permit;

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.

• Extensive knowledge of food protection principles and practices including bacteriology, microbiology, chemistry, epidemiology, food technology and “Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point” (HACCP) theory and application;
• Thorough knowledge of and ability to apply federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations which govern food protection;
• Thorough knowledge of legal procedures for collecting evidence and preparing to testify in court proceedings;
• Working knowledge of Indiana State Department of Health organization, functions, policies, and procedures as they relate to food protection programs as well as the role and structure of local government health agencies and officials;
• Specialized knowledge of inspection methods and food manufacturing, preservation and packaging techniques such as irradiation, reduced oxygen packaging, acidified foods and low-acid canning techniques;
• Ability to conduct investigations and inspections of food facilities including conducting tests utilizing equipment, such as chemical test kits, pH meters, microcomputers, thermometers and collecting appropriate samples for laboratory analysis;
• Ability to recognize, observe, and evaluate potentially hazardous sanitation conditions and law violations and prepare technical reports documenting such findings;
• Ability to collect and analyze data and prepare reports/technical documents for administrative or regulatory action;
• Commissioning by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in order to conduct equivalent inspections to fulfill the requiremenrts of the annual FDA inspection contract program;
• Specialized knowledge of and ability to review plans of facility construction and equipment layout and to make appropriate recommendations for needed changes;
• Ability to communicate, verbally and in writing with individuals and in group situations;
• Ability to assist subordinates in enforcing food laws and rules promulgated;
• Ability to direct statewide crisis reaction situations, such a special sampling initiatives, foodborne disease outbreaks, consumer complaints, suspected tampering, natural disasters, etc. on short notice with effective results; and
• Ability to collect and preserve food samples for laboratory analysis in accordance with chain-of-custody requirements