Food Safety Technical Coordinator

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Opportunity:

If you process, manufacture, store or handle any food or dairy products for wholesale distribution, or if your custom slaughter or custom cut meat, you need to contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture Food Safety Program for licensing and/or inspection information.

The Food Safety Program performs a variety of public health investigations in cooperation with county, state health and federal food agencies to protect the public health. Our dual mission is to protect and reduce the risk to public health by assuring the safety of the State's food supply while facilitating the movement of Washington agricultural products in domestic and international markets. We do this by:

• Inspecting and analyzing food products and food processing and handling; inspecting food storage establishments and practices.
• Inspecting dairy farms and plants.
• inspecting eggs for quality and weight standards, set and enforce sanitary standards for egg graders.
• Inspecting custom farm slaughterers, custom meat facilities.
• Licensing dairy technicians.
• Issuing Export Certificates of Sanitation and Free Sale for food products manufactured in Washington State.
• Issuing licensing for Direct Sellers.
• Issuing voluntary Hemp Extract Facility Certification.

Food businesses operating in the State of Washington that process and/or warehouse manufactured food products for distribution in commerce and resale by other food businesses must follow safe food handling and/or processing practices to protect the public from illness or injury caused by food consumed. Washington State laws, Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations adopted by WSDA, and WSDA regulations detail the specific food safety requirements. The vast majority of manufactured food firms licensed by WSDA successfully implement the required practices and maintain substantial compliance for operating in Washington State. Food Safety Compliance Specialists conduct food safety inspections of food facilities to verify the firm is operating in substantial compliance with the required laws and regulations.

The Food Safety Technical Coordinator (Management Analyst 5) leads data system management for the program, overseeing a statewide electronic inspection and licensing system that incorporates multiple platforms, including SQL-based systems, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Access. The position serves as a subject matter expert in food safety, food processing, and inspection processes, providing high-level technical assistance, policy development, and education to regulated industries, stakeholders, and Food Safety Program staff.

The coordinator directs the development of the Food Safety Program's staff training curriculum, ensuring alignment with state and federal best practices and requirements to maintain a consistent and technically proficient workforce.

In the Program Manager's absence, the Food Safety Technical Coordinator serves as the primary point of contact for routine operations and food safety incident responses. Responsibilities include disseminating information to internal and external stakeholders, acting as a program spokesperson, and directing staff activities. Additionally, the coordinator assists in monitoring performance metrics to support sound, data-informed decision-making.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for an internal full-time permanent Food Safety Technical Coordinator (Management Analyst 5) position within the Food Safety & Consumer Services (FSCS) Division. This position is approved for a home duty station in Spokane County, WA. This is a non-represented position.

The base pay offered will take into