Food Inspector Trainee ; NY HELPS

Duties Description

Harvest Your Potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join a team committed to cultivating a thriving food and agriculture industry that benefits everyone—from producers to consumers. At the Department, you’ll find a dynamic environment where innovation, sustainability, and community engagement are paramount. Explore diverse opportunities, from environmental science to economic development, and discover your path to public service.

Cultivate your professional and personal growth while making a tangible impact on a healthier, stronger New York. Plant the seeds for a rewarding career today!

The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a permanent Food Inspector 1 or Trainee to conduct or participate in all Compliance Sessions for firms that have repeated failing inspections in NYC and Long Island. This position will conduct industry conferences, strive to educate food establishment operators on applicable laws and regulations, increase voluntary compliance, and ensure compliance sessions are held in a consistent manner.

Additional duties include supporting Zone Supervisors on critical short‑term needs, such as following up on violative samples, initiating recalls, conducting high‑priority audit checks, serving legal paperwork, and/or conducting legal inspections.

This Food Inspector 1 or Trainee is a full‑time position working 40 hours per week, Monday‑Friday. The position will be based out of the Brooklyn Regional Office located at 55 Hanson Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217.

This position requires extensive travel. Appointees must possess a valid driver’s license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State, have access to a vehicle when necessary, and demonstrate the capacity to meet transportation requirements while carrying out field‑work responsibilities. Additionally, the position may require out‑of‑state travel for overnight trips on occasion due to ongoing training commitments.

NY HELPS

Qualifications:

Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they meet these qualifications:

• Either 120 semester credit hours which MUST include 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 which MUST include 24 credit hours in the same list AND two years of experience where primary responsibility is in the area of environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility.

Advanced Placement:
If applicants meet the minimum qualifications and have an additional year of experience in a role involving the application of scientific techniques in environmental health protection or food quality control, they may be appointed to the Food Inspector Trainee 2, reducing the traineeship time by one year. An additional two years of experience may lead to appointment to the full performance title, Food Inspector 1, Grade 18, without further examination.

Applicants may also qualify under specific transfer or special qualifications such as 70.1 transfer titles, credit requirements, experience, and exam‑passing scores as noted in the official description.

• Environmental Health Technician
• Sanitarian for food business
• Food Inspector/Investigator
• Meat Inspector
• Quality Control Technician for a food processing plant or food warehouse
• Laboratory Technician with experience conducting analysis of food or dairy products

• Food Service Worker
• Restaurant or Food Store Manager
• Chef
• Butcher
• Caterer
• Food Warehouse Foreperson
• Food Warehouse Management
• Food Comptroller
• Beverage Comptroller
• Food Production Line Worker
• Banquet Manager
• Steward
• Food Equipment Salesperson
• Food and Sanitation Equipment Salesperson
• Food Broker
• Pesticide Applicator