Food Safety Agent V

TITLE: Food Safety Agent V DEPARTMENT: Extension REPORTS TO: Associate Dean CLASSIFICATION: Staff – 12 Months EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD STANDARD

WORK HOURS:

37.5 hours per week LOCATION: Multi-County (Franklin, Fayette, Scott, Woodford, Garrard, Shelby Counties) / KSU Main Campus / EERC / The Farm EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB: The Food Safety Agent V supports Kentucky State University's Cooperative Extension Program by developing and delivering educational programming related to food safety, produce safety, and agricultural water quality.

This position provides technical assistance, outreach, and education to agricultural producers regarding the microbiological quality of irrigation water, compliance with applicable food safety regulations, and best management practices.

The Food Safety Agent collaborates with faculty, Extension personnel, government agencies, industry partners, and agricultural producers to expand food safety education, establish water quality testing sites, provide technical assistance, and promote research-based educational programming throughout the assigned service area. This position requires regular travel and an on-site presence throughout the assigned counties and University facilities.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Recruit agricultural producers and assist with establishing, operating, and maintaining agricultural water testing satellite locations.
• Develop, update, and distribute research-based educational materials related to the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), Produce Safety Rule, agricultural water quality, and produce safety practices.
• Coordinate outreach activities with farmers' markets, Extension personnel, government agencies, commodity organizations, and community partners.
• Assist producers with water sample collection procedures, laboratory testing, interpretation of results, and implementation of appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Generate laboratory reports and communicate testing results to producers in an understandable and timely manner.
• Assist the Principal Investigator and project personnel with surveys, data collection, reporting, and program evaluation related to agricultural water quality, FSMA compliance, Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), and produce production.
• Develop and deliver educational workshops, presentations, demonstrations, and field programs related to produce safety, agricultural water quality, and food safety regulations.
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries regarding food safety regulations, agricultural water quality, GAP certification, and related topics through site visits, telephone, email, and other communication methods.
• Maintain accurate records, reports, educational materials, and program documentation.
• Collaborate with University faculty, Extension personnel, industry representatives, and governmental agencies to support food safety initiatives.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, testing supplies, and educational resources necessary to support Extension programming.
• Travel throughout the assigned service area to conduct educational programming, site visits, meetings, and training activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of food safety principles, produce safety regulations, and agricultural water quality.
• Knowledge of horticultural crop production and agricultural practices.
• Knowledge of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) requirements.
• Knowledge of laboratory procedures and basic microbiological testing methods.
• Ability to develop and deliver educational programs and technical training.
• Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working…