Manufactured Food Specialist - Agricultural Specialist or Agricultural Advisor
About the role
Join the Manufactured Food Program and help protect the integrity of Minnesota’s food supply while building a meaningful career with room to grow. This position is based in Saint Paul with eligibility to telework and offers the chance to work directly with wholesale food manufacturers, where you will be conducting inspections, supporting compliance, educating industry, and strengthening public health. Candidates may qualify at either the Agricultural Specialist or Agricultural Advisor level depending on their experience, providing opportunities for entry to advanced regulatory professionals. Whether you’re beginning your journey in food safety or bringing seasoned expertise, you’ll be part of a collaborative team committed to science-based regulation, industry partnership, and safeguarding the food Minnesotans and the world rely on every day, while maintaining a focus on work/life balance.
This position is located in St. Paul and may have the ability to telework. This position conducts work statewide but will focus on the following counties: Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey and Washington.
Responsibilities
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:
- Performs inspections, compliance, and enforcement activities in food facilities, for assurance and general enforcement of state and federal food safety laws and regulations
- Under general supervisory direction and oversight, performs licensing, investigations and response activities
- Provides information and technical assistance for clientele with respect to manufactured food safety issues or compliance with state and federal manufactured 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:
- Conducts inspections, licensing investigations, response, compliance, and enforcement activities in food facilities, for assurance and general enforcement of State and federal food safety laws and regulations
- Provides information and technical assistance for clientele with respect to manufactured and wholesale food safety issues or compliance with State and federal food safety laws and regulations
- Provides training and assessment on inspection, sampling, compliance, licensing, investigation, and response activities for State Agricultural Specialists and local manufactured food regulatory staff
Minimum Qualifications
Agricultural Specialist:
- 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
- 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
- Ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment
Agricultural Advisor:
- Two 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 general science, natural science, agricultural or animal science, food science, environmental science, or a closely related field PLUS one (1) year of experience as described above
- 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 and/or the National Environmental Health Association
- Food Safety Regulator Certification (FSRC) from the Association of Food and Drug Officials
- More than one (1) year of experience with public health regulatory work (i.e., inspections, compliance, enforcement, HACCP/food safety plans)
- 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
- Certification as a Manufactured Foods Regulator (MFRC) with the Association of Food and Drug Officials
- More than two (2) years of experience with food safety regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, response, HACCP/food safety plans), to include PCQI, 3rd party standards, and specialized process training
- 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
Physical Requirements
Agricultural Specialists and Agricultural Advisors conduct inspection and enforcement activities 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 collect/move/transport food products during investigation, sampling, 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
- Adhere to agency safety policies, including but not limited to safe operation of motor vehicles and prohibited confined space entry
This position requires travel, occasionally requiring overnight stays, and may require work on weekends.
Additional requirements
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas, including STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US. A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components: SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only), Employment Reference Check, Driver's License Check, Conflict of Interest Review, and Criminal Background Check.
Benefits
As an employee, you'll have access to one of the most affordable health insurance plans in Minnesota, along with other benefits to help you and your family be well. Your benefits may include:
- Paid vacation and sick leave
- 12 paid holidays each year
- Low-cost medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug plans
- Fertility care, including IVF
- Diabetes care
- Dental and orthodontic care for adults and children
- 6 weeks paid leave for parents of newborn or newly adopted children
- Pension plan that provides income when you retire (after working at least three years)
- Employer paid life insurance to provide support for your family in the event of death
- Short-term and long-term disability insurance that can provide income if you are unable to work due to illness or injury