Food Inspector Trainee ; NY HELPS

Overview

Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and contribute to a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits producers and consumers. Our environment values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement, with opportunities across environmental science to economic development in public service.

Embrace a fulfilling career and help sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a permanent Food Inspector 1 or Trainee to conduct food safety inspections of food establishments to ensure sanitary, wholesome, and pure food in accordance with applicable laws and regulations in Delaware or Sullivan County, NY. Responsibilities include preventing fraud, adulteration and misrepresentation in processing, packaging, storage, distribution, and sale of food and food products;

educating food establishment operators on applicable laws and regulations; sampling food products to verify food safety controls, product labeling, and contents; and issuing written notices, letters, and reports citing violations and enforcement actions.

This is a full-time, 40-hour-per-week position, Monday–Friday. The role may be based out of your home and requires travel within an assigned region.

These positions require extensive travel. Appointees must have a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State and access to a motor vehicle when necessary, or demonstrate capacity to meet regular transportation requirements. Occasional out-of-state travel for training may be required.

Qualifications may be met by one of the following:

• 120 semester credit hours, including 24 credit hours in chemistry, microbiology, food quality control, epidemiology, entomology, food technology, food science, food processing technology, food sanitation, dairy science, biology, environmental sanitation, environmental health, human physiology, genetics, animal science, nutrition/dietetics, or medical sciences; OR
• 60 semester credit hours, including 24 credit hours in the same subjects as above, AND two years of experience in environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility.

Advanced placement options may reduce traineeship time or advance to Food Inspector 1, with appropriate experience. Examples of acceptable experience include roles in environmental health, sanitization of food establishments, and quality control in food processing. Unacceptable experience includes roles not directly related to food safety or sanitation.

• Transfer qualifications (Section 70.1) may apply if you have appropriate prior service in specified titles.
• Reinstatement options and 55-b/c qualifications are available under Civil Service rules.

Additional details on advanced placement and examples of acceptable/unacceptable experience are described in the original posting.

Salary progressions include Trainee 1 (starting at $53,764/year, SG 14), Trainee 2 (SG 16, starting $59,994), and Food Inspector 1 (SG 18, starting $66,951) with opportunities for advancement through the New York State Performance Evaluation Program and potential salary growth to SG-18 ($85,138/year). This is a PEF-represented position with generous benefits, including health insurance, dental and vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan, and paid time off.

Eligible employees may participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

This title is part of NY HELPS (New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program). For the duration of NY HELPS, appointments may be non-competitive while meeting minimum qualifications, with potential conversion to competitive status after a specified period.