Animal Food Safety Analyst - Management Analyst 3

The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) has been serving the state for over 100 years, ensuring agriculture remains viable while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. The Food Safety & Consumer Services (FSCS) Division regulates the safety and integrity of Washington’s human and animal food supply through programs including Animal Feed, FSCS Laboratory, Food Safety, Organic, and Produce Safety, as well as a Rapid Response Team for food and feed emergencies.

About the role

The Animal Feed Program (AFP) within the FSCS Division regulates the safety and integrity of animal food to protect animal and public health and ensure market fairness. The program licenses firms, registers pet food products, conducts inspections, sampling, investigations, recalls, and provides outreach and education. The AFP adheres to the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS) to improve regulatory activities and encourage an integrated food safety system.

The Animal Food Safety Analyst will analyze animal food adulteration and outbreak data, develop best practices, coordinate complaint investigations, and support compliance and enforcement efforts. This role also serves as a backup field trainer and auditor, providing analytical support to management and stakeholders.

This is a full-time, non-represented position located in Davenport, Washington. The typical starting salary range is $61,332 – $80,496 annually, depending on experience.

Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, develop, and maintain procedures and resources related to animal food safety and integrity.
• Draft and assist in implementing policies, education, and tools to prevent animal foodborne illness, deaths, and misbranding.
• Coordinate and assist with root cause analyses for animal food inspectors and firms.
• Research peer-reviewed scientific literature to identify safety or advisory limits for contaminants, adulterants, or nutritional levels in animal food.
• Review and analyze laws, regulations, and policies to identify areas for improvement.
• Develop and maintain biosecurity protocols and natural disaster impact prevention strategies.
• Research and analyze compliance and enforcement programs, drafting improvements for procedures, templates, and resources.
• Assist in implementing and maintaining Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS).
• Provide recommendations for program compliance and enforcement alignment and expansion.
• Consult with the AFP Program Manager on matters requiring legal review or Feed Advisory meetings.
• Review and issue compliance or enforcement notices, meeting with regulated parties as needed.
• Coordinate animal food recalls and complaints, including prioritization, technical assistance, and documentation.
• Plan, coordinate, and complete recall effectiveness checks.
• Analyze and improve recall and complaint processes, templates, and industry resources.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in agriculture, animal science/nutrition, public or environmental health, food science or technology, public administration, business, law, or a related field. Related experience may substitute year-for-year for education.
• Three years of experience in public health regulation, animal/human food, agriculture, or a related field, conducting research or analyzing policies, laws, rules, or regulations.
• Ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning (U.S. citizenship, no felonies/misdemeanors excluding minor traffic offenses, and a valid driver’s license).

Preferred Qualifications

• Specialized knowledge of radiological, chemical, physical, and microbiological hazards in animal food.
• Experience building programs, systems, or projects from scratch to achieve long-term goals and continuous improvement.
• Experience with state/federal cooperative agreements, grants, or contracts, including deliverables and reporting.
• Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to successfully complete goals.
• Experience researching peer-reviewed literature and analyzing data.

Benefits

• Work/life balance with flexible schedules and teleworking options.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, and Employee Recognition Leave.
• 12 paid holidays and vacation/leave accruals.
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.