Senior Inspector

Job Description

Inspect, survey and investigate establishments that manufacture, handle, process, store, distribute and/or sell food and food products, milk and milk products, frozen desserts, seafood and shellfish, custom meat and poultry slaughtering and/or processing, and/or food service to determine compliance with statutory provisions and regulations for the public’s health protection and consumer safety. Evaluate shellfish shippers, milk shippers, and milk laboratories for compliance with interstate cooperative programs.

Obtain samples of food and food products for analysis. Respond to emergencies and conduct environmental assessments during foodborne illness investigations. Obtain evidence and establish facts concerning suspected or alleged violations of applicable laws, rules and regulations; review corrective actions; monitor enforcement procedures in cases of noncompliance. Prepare reports, testify at hearings, and review applications for licenses or permits.

• Inspect establishments that manufacture, handle, process, store, distribute and/or sell food and food products for compliance with laws, rules, regulations and established standards. Collect evidence and documentation to support inspection observations in accordance with DFP procedures.
• Evaluate practices at food processing facilities and dairy laboratories for compliance with appropriate laws, rules, regulations, and established standards. Evaluate shellfish shippers for compliance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish, and interstate milk shippers and dairy laboratories for compliance with requirements of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments.
• Inspect foods and food products for compliance with governing laws, rules, regulations and established standards and take appropriate actions for substances found sub‑standard, contaminated or otherwise unacceptable for consumption. Conduct traceback and trace forward of foods implicated in illness, injury, outbreak or found to contain a hazard.
• Obtain samples of food and food products for laboratory analysis in accordance with established procedures. Conduct routine and special sampling programs as assigned to assure compliance with standards of quality, identity, and purity.
• Investigate reports of food‑related incidents within recommended time frames. Conduct environmental assessments using established procedures and analyze environmental assessment data to identify contributing factors and antecedents that led to food contamination or adulteration causing illness, injury, or outbreak.
• Respond to food‑related emergencies, including floods, fires, and vehicle accidents. Conduct food‑related illness, outbreak, and hazard response activities with other authorities.
• Document violations and observations in accordance with procedures established by DFP, and follow‑up with appropriate corrective action, compliance and enforcement. Review corrective action plans filed with DFP for effectiveness, and perform recall audit checks as needed.
• Use established procedures to recommend appropriate progressive compliance and enforcement actions to the Department. Testify at hearings relative to the violation of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to foods and food products.
• Review applications for new or renewed licenses or permits for completeness and accuracy. Provide food processors with guidance on food manufacturing practices and principles of sanitation to improve the quality of their operations.
• Maintain liaison with local regulatory authorities and industry partners to exchange information and resolve problems. Provide consultation and training to local boards of health and their agents regarding inspectional and investigative techniques.
• Provide guidance on training for staff of food processing facilities and dairy laboratories.
• Perform related duties such as ensuring the proper disposal of confiscated products; maintaining records and files; responding to inquiries; attending and lecturing at meetings and conferences.
• Oversee and coordinate activities relative to the inspection of food and food products to…