DEPT OF AGRICULTURE

Address:  Animal Services Division / Meat and Poultry Program
1110 W. Washington Street #450, Phoenix AZ 85007

Salary: 21.25 - 21.25 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: TBD

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for a Public Health Sanitarian for the Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. The position will be responsible for inspections in Phoenix and the surrounding areas.

State meat inspection personnel monitor general plant and equipment sanitation, processing sanitation, good manufacturing practices during production, ante mortem and post mortem inspection at slaughter, multi- ingredient formulation, the use of approved labeling, and laboratory sampling programs.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Work independently and to conduct substantial preoperational and operational environmental health inspections for the humane handling of livestock.
• Ongoing visual and hands on inspections of animal viscera and organs by incising lymph nodes and palpation, surveillance by examining each animal for Tuberculosis, Central Nervous System Disorder, Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, Antibiotic Residue, Lymphoma, and Pathology of human health concerns.
• The position induces compliance with pathogen intervention and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), pest control, maintaining food security, checks branding of inspected and passed carcasses with the official mark of inspections.
• Collect samples for listeria monocytogenes, salmonella and E-coli 0157:H7; verifies processing is being performed as per plants Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points Plan by direct observation of monitoring procedures, reviewing of records for critical times, temperatures to ensure no physical, chemical or biological hazards exist.
• The position requires standing for long periods of time.
• Advise on complex aspects of food safety, sanitation to county, or municipal officials, industry representatives; maintain in-plant records and files, remain up to date with all directives and recall information coming from Food Safety and Inspection Services (FSIS) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA); take all USDA and Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) mandated training.
• You will be required to drive a state vehicle for state business and other duties as assigned.

Knowledge of:
• The principles and practices of public health sanitation, including food handling and food processing, insect and rodent control, state laws, and regulations pertaining to environmental health
• Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)
• Standard Sanitation Operation Procedures (SSOP)
• Animal diseases and pathology
• Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and Federal computer programs

Skills in:
• Analyzing situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action
• Work effectively with internal and external customers
• Prepare concise technical reports
• Excellent written/oral communication
• Recommending improvements in sanitary practices in the private sector and sanitary programs in the public sector
• Applying and interprets Federal, State and Agency laws, rules, regulations, and policies
• Organoleptic examination of food products
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of propriety formulations or equipment which may be trade secret

Ability to:
• Work independently
• Work with diverse groups of customers
• Multi task in an ever changing work environment while maintaining great customer services and producing results in a timely manner
• Maintain confidentiality
• Stand for long periods of time

Working knowledge of HACCP and SSOP
Experience in the food industry, commercial kitchens, and red meat/sausage processing or slaughterhouse operations
Basic animal anatomy and knowledge of animal disease and pathology
Meat/Poultry inspection experience
Diversity Training
USDA/Agriculture mandated training
Meat Cutting Techniques

Valid Driver's License

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The Arizona Department of Agriculture offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). Mandatory condition of Employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statute. Current contribution rate is 12.27%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at mmeek@azda.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.