Laboratory Evaluation Officer​/Dairy Products Inspector - Polk

About Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)

The approximately 345 employees of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) are responsible for a wide range of programs that affect the quality of life of every Iowan. Both Iowans living on the farm and those in our towns and cities are impacted almost daily by the work of the Department.

The Dairy Products Control Bureau seeks to fill an Agriculture Compliance Investigator position in Central Iowa. This position will consist of ~60% Laboratory Evaluation Officer work and ~40% Dairy Products Inspector work. The area covered will include ALL counties located in Iowa.
The official domicile will be in Polk county or another contiguous county agreed up at the time of hire.

To assist the Secretary of Agriculture with the enforcement of applicable Iowa Code and to comply with all FDA cooperative agreement requirements. They will perform statewide dairy laboratory evaluation, certification, compliance surveillance, and regulatory activities to ensure Grade A milk laboratories, analysts, sampling procedures, and dairy operations comply with applicable state and federal laws, regulations, and FDA requirements, supporting the safety of milk and milk products and the uninterrupted shipment of dairy products in interstate commerce.

• Certify laboratories and milk haulers on a state-wide basis as outlined by the Evaluation of Milk Laboratories (EML) manual to assure safe and wholesome dairy products.
• Maintain quality control records. Calibrate and maintain laboratory equipment so that the instruments are functioning properly and have minimum downtime.
• Achieve and maintain certification with the FDA as a Laboratory Evaluation Officer (LEO) and a certified analyst. This includes required out-of-town training, performance on split sample analysis, and on-site evaluation by FDA officials.
• Assist in the preparation of split samples that are sent to laboratories through the state for their performance evaluation. This includes analysis of the resulting data and dissemination of test results to the participants.
• Inspecting dairy farms, plant manufactures, milk truck, sampler/haulers, dairy product distributors, pasteurizers and single service containers and closures plants, all of which requires squatting, kneeling and bending.
• Advising customers of current State and Federal regulations.
• Obtain random samples of milk and/or milk products which require carrying coolers weighing up to 50 lb. of products chest high, climbing a ladder to a height of 15 feet, walking up to 1/2 mile and standing for an hour or more.
• Entering data into computer systems.
• Preparing technical and scientific reports.
• Meeting specified deadlines.
• Adherence to strict safety and housekeeping standards.

• Travel
• Must possess and maintain a valid Driver’s License.
• Candidate must be able to acquire and maintain FDA credentials.

NOTE-this Agriculture Compliance Investigator position is capped at Pay Grade 25

• Paid Time Off: 9 holidays, sick leave, vacation, military leave, and jury duty leave.
• Medical Insurance: High-quality coverage with premiums as low as $210.00 per month for family coverage and $64.00 per month for single coverage.
• Dental Insurance: Free for single coverage and $46.00 per month for family coverage.
• Life Insurance: Basic $20,000 policy at no cost, with additional voluntary supplemental life available at a cost, and long-term disability insurance available at no additional cost.
• Exceptional Retirement: Includes IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System), a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan, and a deferred compensation plan (similar to a 401K) with a state match of up to $75.00 per month.

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work…