AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

Apply early! First review of applications is scheduled for September 18th! To be considered for initial screening, please submit an application on or before September 17th, 2026.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Food Safety & Consumer Services (FSCS) Division is one of the seven divisions in the Washington State Department of Agriculture. The FSCS Division serves consumers and stakeholders in the state of Washington by assuring the availability, safety, and integrity of the state's human and animal food supply. The division is made up of approximately 100+ FTEs through five statewide programs, including: Animal Feed, FSCS Laboratory, Food Safety, Organic, and Produce Safety. We also house the Rapid Response Team that manages food and feed emergency responses.

If you process, manufacture, store or handle any food or dairy products for wholesale distribution, or if you custom slaughter or custom cut meat, you need to contact the Washington State Department of Agriculture Food Safety Program for licensing and/or inspection information. The Food Safety Program performs a variety of public health investigations in cooperation with county, state health and federal food agencies to protect public health.

Our dual mission is to protect and reduce the risk to public health by assuring the safety of the state's food supply while facilitating the movement of Washington agricultural products in domestic and international markets. We do this by:

• Inspecting and analyzing food products and food processing and handling and inspecting food storage establishments and practices.
• Inspecting dairy farms and plants.
• Inspecting eggs for quality and weight standards, setting and enforcing sanitary standards for egg graders.
• Inspecting custom farm slaughterers, custom meat facilities.
• Licensing dairy technicians.
• Issuing Export Certificates of Sanitation and Free Sale for food products manufactured in Washington State.
• Issuing licensing for Direct Sellers.
• Issuing voluntary Hemp Extract Facility Certification.

Food businesses operating in the State of Washington that process and/or warehouse manufactured food products for distribution in commerce and resale by other food businesses must follow safe food handling and/or processing practices to protect the public from illness or injury caused by food consumption. Washington State laws, Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations adopted by WSDA, and WSDA regulations detail the specific food safety requirements. The vast majority of manufactured food firms licensed by WSDA successfully implement the required practices and maintain substantial compliance for operating in Washington State.

Compliance Specialists conduct food safety inspections of food businesses to verify the facility is operating in substantial compliance with the required laws and regulations.

The Opportunity

The purpose of the Compliance Specialist is to perform inspections, investigations and collect samples to protect the public from unsafe or adulterated food by evaluating conformance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations. This position conducts complex food safety inspections in facilities that process or hold food products including but not limited to: food processors, dairy farms, dairy plants, custom meat facilities and trucks, egg handling facilities, poultry processors, food warehouses, cottage food permits, cannabis infused edible processors and other food handlers as needed, to assess compliance with state and applicable federal regulations.

The Compliance Specialist conducts or is on track to conduct specialized inspections including the following food types along with the specific federal and state regulations that oversee their production; Seafood HACCP, Juice HACCP, Preventive Controls, acidified products or LACF foods. This position performs independent inspections to evaluate conditions found in each facility based on the appropriate state law and applicable federal regulation. It will also independently assess conditions that may lead to increased risk to public health by discerning between minor and critical violations and create reports of inspection findings in a clear and concise manner.

At times the position may be asked to participate in drafting sections of legal documents including compliance agreements or Notices of Intent to assess penalties or revocation of licenses. In addition to the duties listed above, the FSCS 3 Technical Review Specialist is responsible for reviewing advanced industry applications for food processing of all types to determine compliance with regulations governing legal food formulations. A significant part of this position's specialized duties is to; review Cottage Food and Cannabis-Infused Edibles (CIE) applications for legal formulations, enter inspection reports into the Food Safety Program database as well as coordinate with all regions to maintain uniformity of product approval.

This position will coordinate both with industry and other agencies such as Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board, Department of Health and the Food and Drug Administration for accuracy, consistency and completeness. A high degree of familiarity with the Food Safety Program laws, rules and policies is required to be successful in this position. This specialist will work with the Training and Technical Projects Supervisor, Region Supervisors, and other internal and external members to develop training material and job guides to improve the inspectional process for the program. This critical program position is also responsible for updating program management of potential problems with applications that may fall outside of regulatory standards.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for three (3) internal full-time permanent Food Safety Compliance Specialist 3's position within the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. These positions are home-based in any county in Washington. These positions are represented by the Washington Public Employees Association (WPEA). The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: Range 56 Step A $64,512 - Step L $84,528 annually.

Duties

What to Expect Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

• Technical Review Specialist Conduct advanced technical reviews of all types of food applications including, but not limited to Cannabis-Infused Edibles, Cottage Foods, HACCP Plans, Food Safety Plans and supporting information.
• Enter updates with product evaluations and plan reviews to the Food Safety data system in a timely and efficient manner.
• Provide recommendations to program staff based on regulatory standards and available scientific information.
• Provide ongoing review, feedback, and technical assistance to industry regarding product formulation, processing and labeling that meets current regulations.
• Interface with industry to assess future needs and trends to help with program direction.
• Work in teams to develop, maintain and improve the program’s standards and processes for all staff.
• Assist the program with improvement of product review procedures and identification of future enhancements.
• Organize and report significant non-compliance to Training and Technical Projects Supervisor and Region Supervisor for further action.
• Perform other tasks as needed by Region Supervisor to support and achieve Program goals.
• Help develop training materials and participate in presentations related to product formulation approval considerations and other related topics.
• Conducting Food Safety Program public health inspections, investigations, consumer complaints, traceback and recall effectiveness checks.
• Evaluate firm’s control of public health risks by performing independent inspections of conditions in facilities that hold, pack, transfer or produce food.
• Base inspections on the appropriate state and/or federal regulation and program policy.
• Conduct federally mandated IMS and non IMS Grade ‘A’ Dairy inspections, testing of pasteurization equipment, and evaluations of dairy technicians by practical examination.
• Discern between critical and significant violations and provide technical assistance to industry when appropriate.
• Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state agency vehicle.

Documentation and presentation of inspection and investigation findings

Provide clear and concise oral and written reports of inspection and investigation findings. Prepare written reports that serve as the foundation for initiation of enforcement actions including on-the-spot product diversions (voluntary option to avoid embargo), embargo or stop sale actions. Provide documentation to include but not limited to; photographs, product labels or processing records. Assist the program in development and review of compliance cases as needed.

Providing technical assistance

Conducting informational training to the public, industry or to sister agency personnel. Provide technical assistance and education to industry and the public regarding food safety regulation, compliance, and enforcement. Provide applicants with technical assistance to achieve licensing status including the review of construction and remodel plans for compliance. Participate in developing technical brochures and factsheets to aid and education to stakeholders, peers, and other regulatory officials. Coordinate and work with other state, local and federal agencies in actions, inspections, investigations, and training dealing with issues of food safety. Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state agency vehicles.

Conducting Food Safety Program public health investigations

Traceback and recall effectiveness checks. Investigate consumer complaints per state policy and initiates appropriate action. Act as field support for recall effectiveness checks and other public health events. Take compliance actions such as embargo or stop sale to remove food from distribution. Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state agency vehicles.

Collection and preparation of assigned routine samples

Collection and preparation of samples relating to investigation of contamination or adulteration of food. Collect dairy product and water samples at mandated intervals to comply with federal regulation. Sample food items routinely for scheduled surveillance testing. Conduct follow-up investigations in response to laboratory results. Participate in environmental swabbing events as part of FDA contract and state surveillance assignments. Investigate and sample when inspection observations indicate a potential for public health risk. Sampling activities may include focused aseptic environmental and product sampling to determine the extent or source of a particular issue of public health concern. Travel to distant and close locations requiring proper use of state agency vehicle.

Qualifications

Who should apply? Professionals with:

• Bachelor's degree involving major study in business, microbiology, food science, food technology, biochemistry, dairy science, environmental health or a degree in a closely allied field. Additional experience will substitute for education on a year for year basis.
• AND Two (2) years of equivalent public health regulatory related experience or food manufacturing experience.
• AND Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required. FDA Commission qualifications (subject to change, discretion, and further inquiry by FDA): Meets qualifications for FSCS position duties. Citizen of U.S.A. No felonies/misdemeanors.
• AND Must hold and maintain a valid WA State driver’s license.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

Prior experience working as a Food Safety Compliance Specialist 2 Experience in inspecting, educating, and enforcing state and federal regulations in a regulatory food safety program focused on retail food, food processing or dairy processing.

Supplemental Information

Employee Benefits A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking. WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information. 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals. All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency. Commute Trip Reduction Program. For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov.

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position:

• A resume detailing experience and education
• A cover letter describing how you meet the specific qualifications for this position
• Three professional references

Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete. By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Work Authorization

Candidates who are offered a job with WSDA must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future; WSDA complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment. WSDA does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement. We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Veteran's Preference:

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov. If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com. The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.