Job Specification Details

Professional, supervisory, administrative, and investigatory work for the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food Safety Consumer Protection Division, Meat and Poultry Inspection Service. The work is directed at public health by ensuring that meat and poultry products that are in-commerce within the state are safe, wholesome, unadulterated, and properly marked, labeled, and packaged. This supervisory position leads and coordinates the team of investigators in the Compliance and Enforcement program of the Meat and Poultry Inspection Section, planning and executing investigatory and surveillance work within the state of Vermont, maintaining implementation and updates of state rules and implementation of federal laws and regulations in an “equal-to” manner to the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service, as well as other duties typical of a state supervisor.  This position directs and executes comprehensive investigations, case documentation, and surveillance activities, and manages the resultant multitude of possible enforcement actions.  

Supervision is exercised over two Food Safety Specialist III Compliance Investigator positions. Most work is performed in the field under the general direction of the Deputy Division Director/Assistant State Veterinarian and in coordination with the Agency’s Centralized Enforcement and other regulatory Divisions of the Agency.  The MSCES is expected to gain and remain fully credentialed for the federal Linc Pass identification from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety Inspection Service.  Additionally, the MSCES may receive ongoing additional training through the USDA FSIS training courses, or through the USDA on-line learning system.

Supervises the Compliance team in conducting in-commerce surveillance activities at warehouses, distributors, transporters, retailers, and other in-commerce businesses that include food safety, sanitation, food defense, non-food safety consumer protection, order verification, public health response and emergency response. Acts as the Compliance Records Officer and designated Evidence Officer for disposition of all compliance records. Responsible for Rule-Promulgation for the Section. Member of VAAFM Centralized Enforcement Team. Conducts aseptic verification sampling of meat and poultry products for testing for specific microbiological pathogens, drug residues, and other adulterants or contaminants at in-commerce establishments and in-processing/slaughter plants. Performs special investigations for consumer complaints, industry complaints, for the VT Attorneys General office, or by request. Performs licensing review for new firms that apply to handle meat or poultry products in the state. Assists in conducting the label approval program for the state meat and poultry inspection program. Performs comprehensive investigations, case documentation, writing of Notices of Warning and Notices of Violation for other enforcement actions as appropriate. Inspects custom exempt establishments throughout the state for sanitary conditions of facilities and equipment, and proper labeling of meat products. May seize or detain meat products in intrastate commerce. Liaison with federal compliance investigative division, other inspectors, consumers, other agency members and department staff members for purposes of information, education, and work planning. Functions as the SRCT compliance audit submitter. Prepares reports for state, federal and administrative use. May testify in administrative hearings and in court cases. Assists in implementation of new programs required by state or federal agencies. May assist in the job training for other inspectors. Performs other related duties as required.

Duties are largely performed in the field, with substantial travel to conduct in-commerce surveillance activities at warehouses, distributors, transporters, retailers, and other in-commerce businesses. Field travel requires private means of transportation. Potentially hazardous conditions associated with enforcement procedures in secluded areas with difficult individuals. Other hazards such as slippery floors, 180-degree water, sharp knives and machinery, and heavy overhead objects falling may be encountered in some work environments. Work hours may not adhere to a regular workday and/or workweek schedule, with overtime, weekend, or holiday assignments possible. The MSCES are considered essential employees of the Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, which may require work during times that other state employees are operating under a reduced work force scenario, on days that state offices are closed or have delayed openings/early closings, and during times of hazardous driving conditions.

Knowledge to evaluate the public health risk of certain products and conduct appropriate surveillance activities commensurate with that risk.

Knowledge and ability to detain or seize products in commerce during an investigation.

Knowledge and ability to conduct comprehensive investigations and case documentation in a Report of Investigation that supports the findings of violations of the Statutes, Regulations, and any other applicable laws.

Knowledge of the USDA FSIS CID Directives and Notices, and the ability to adapt these processes to fit within the limits of state statutes.

Ability to write Letters of Warning, Notices of Violation, Cease and Desist Orders, Stop Use/Stop Sale Orders, and Final Orders.

Ability to understand and navigate rulemaking in Vermont and working with legal staff and meat inspection staff to accomplish the rule-making.

Ability to develop and maintain new electronic fillable forms used for carrying out surveillance and investigation activities.

Ability to coordinate and liaison with USDA FSIS CID (Federal Compliance Investigators) to perform joint investigations of firms in Vermont.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret federal and state meat and poultry inspection laws, rules, regulations, and exemptions.

Ability to independently prioritize and schedule daily activities to accomplish required objectives.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing with internal and external stakeholders.

Ability to perform advanced aseptic sampling techniques and interpret microbiological results to make recommendations concerning food safety systems.

Considerable knowledge of meats and poultry and their processing procedures.

High School Diploma or equivalent AND three (3) or more years’ experience in a similar governmental organization performing investigatory work to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.
OR
Three (3) or more years' experience at the Food Safety Specialist II level

Note: Certification as an accredited meat inspector in a state or federal meat inspection program comparable to Vermont is considered qualifying.

Preference will be given to applicants who have at least one year of personnel supervisory experience.

Normal color vision is required.

Incumbents are required to secure Federal Credentials by passing a federal background check and fingerprinting.

Incumbents are required to successfully complete the current comprehensive USDA, FSIS, OIEA instructed training course, which may include Surveillance, Investigations and Enforcement Methods (SIEM) or Federal Law Enforcement Training (FLETC).