Food Safety Specialist; Northeast Iowa

Food Safety Specialist (Northeast Iowa)

State of Iowa - Executive Branch.

Food Safety Specialists are a professional team that conducts risk-based inspections of a variety of food and lodging businesses, including restaurants, grocery stores, food trucks, food stands, processing facilities, and other food businesses. Inspectors work four ten‑hour days, typically beginning and ending at home, and are provided a state vehicle, inspection equipment, extensive training, and a comprehensive support system.

Candidates must reside in or be willing to relocate to one of the following Iowa counties upon acceptance of the position:
Clayton, Delaware, Dubuque or Jackson.

• Observe food handling and sanitation practices and behaviors in food businesses.
• Ask investigative and informational questions to understand food preparation processes from beginning to end.
• Identify critical food safety gaps and regulatory violations and work directly with operators to make timely corrections.
• Provide food safety education and resources to food businesses.

• Knowledge of the food industry.
• High level of organization and communication skills.
• Experience solving problems.
• Displays high standards of professional conduct.
• Curious, inquisitive and detail‑oriented.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's Degree in natural science.
• OR an equivalent combination of experience and education substituting one year of full‑time professional work in an environmental, radiation control, environmental health or food sanitation program for each year (30 semester hours) of the required education.

• 941 Food Science: 12 semester hours in microbiology, biology, food science, chemistry, hospitality management or other science related to food safety (Please attach an unofficial transcript).
• OR 6 months of experience applying food science and microbiology knowledge to prepare or process food safely, including but not limited to managing a food establishment’s food safety program, quality assurance staff, chef, or management of a food establishment or manufacturing facility; experience applying food safety regulations such as the FDA Food Code or Good Manufacturing Practices; or a combination of both experience and education.

• Robust benefits, including excellent health, dental, life and vision insurance.
• Four ten‑hour working days a week.
• Home‑based work environment.
• Generous paid time off, including vacation, paid holidays and sick leave accrual.
• Opportunities for professional development.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Iowa Public Employee Retirement System (IPERS) Retirement Package.
• Optional 401A plan with employer contribution.
• Retirement Investors Club (Employer Sponsored Retirement Plan).
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Discount Programs from a variety of vendors (vision, cellular, fitness, and more).

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 laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization.

Background check required.

Food Science selective is required (12 semester hours in microbiology, biology, food science, chemistry, hospitality management or other science related to food safety OR 6 months of experience applying food science and microbiology knowledge to prepare or process food safely, including but not limited to managing a food establishments food safety program, quality assurance staff, chef, or management of a food establishment or manufacturing facility;

experience applying food safety regulations such as the FDA Food Code or Good Manufacturing Practices; or a combination of both experience and education).