Produce Safety Technician

The Marquette County Conservation District is a unit of local government dedicated to conserving and restoring resources in Marquette County. Our primary initiatives include forestry and wildlife practices, watershed management, invasive species control, and agricultural education. MCCD's efforts are primarily grant funded, with major funders including the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the US Forest Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and others.

With a strong commitment to environmental stewardship, the District actively works to engage our community and seeks passionate individuals to contribute to our mission.

This is a full-time role for a Produce Safety Technician based in Marquette, MI, with travel throughout the Upper Peninsula and occasional travel to areas in lower Michigan. The primary workplace is in a typical office setting at the Marquette County Conservation District office in Marquette, with flexibility to work remotely as appropriate. Travel to farms across the UP and occasional trainings downstate will be required, with reimbursement for mileage traveled in a personal vehicle at the federal mileage rate.

This position with the Marquette County Conservation District is to provide free, confidential, non-regulatory support to growers in the UP. The position assesses growing and harvesting practices on produce farms while identifying food safety hazards and risks. This position is part of the Michigan On Farm Produce Safety Program, overseen by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD). Assisting growers includes facilitating outreach and education events, providing on-farm technical assistance, completing risk assessments with the landowner to implement food safety practices, developing Improvement Action Plans, and coordinating with local, state, and federal agencies to create resources to help produce growers.

The primary responsibility is to reduce food safety risks on farms and make progress towards implementing food safety practices consistent with the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule.

• Performs on-farm assessments over a 15-county service area using the Produce Safety Risk Assessment workbook
• Attends meetings and delivers presentations to a variety of industry networks at events and meetings to create awareness of produce safety practices and available resources
• Leads classroom/online training sessions
• Performs or takes part in on-farm produce safety workshops
• Completes travel for trainings and meetings
• Develops materials to effectively engage producers through outreach and education
• Promotes produce safety practices through displays, newsletters, group presentations, demonstrations, public service announcements, news releases, radio programs, and other means
• Works closely with MDARD and Michigan State University Extension partners to provide technical assistance necessary for producers to address specific hurdles to the implementation of food safety practices
• Provides and submits timely reports and updates to the MCCD board of directors, MDARD, and other cooperating agencies.
• Works cooperatively with MCCD staff and other agency personnel; supports District initiatives and activities as needed
• Participates in local food system organizations, such as the Upper Peninsula Food Exchange, Western UP Planning & Development Region, and others.
• Attends and participates in regular staff meetings
• Completes other essential activities as required by the grant agreement
• Other related duties as assigned

• Two years of experience in natural resources or agriculture field work is desired. Knowledge of and experience working with agricultural producers preferred.
• A four-year degree from an accredited college or university in agriculture, natural resources management, animal, crop, environment, agronomy, dairy and/or soil science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental health, food science/technology, microbiology, veterinary science, or a related field.
• Excellent organizational skills, with attention to detail and high level accuracy
• Ability to communicate with a wide variety of individuals, comfortable with public speaking
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team
• Must have reliable personal transportation for work-related use and maintain a valid Michigan driver's license
• Ability to work outdoors in a variety of conditions and terrains
• Ability to work cooperatively with District personnel and the board of directors
• Prepared to wear personal protective equipment whenever applicable

$25/hr - The Produce Safety Technician is a full-time, 40 hours/week, FLSA-exempt position. This position is grant-funded through MDARD. Benefits include paid federal holidays, 13 paid days off per year, 104 hours of sick time annually, and access to a Municipal Employees Retirement 457 plan.