We at the Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA) take our responsibilities to you very seriously and are committed to protecting and promoting Georgia's agriculture through superior service and leadership. 

·         The mission of the GDA is to protect consumers, promote agriculture, both locally and globally, and assist our customers using education, technology, and a professional workforce.

·         The vision of the GDA is to continue to be a globally recognized leader in agricultural excellence through a commitment to safety, quality, growth, and innovation.

Job Summary:  This position is comprised of two parts – Program Consultant 2 and Agriculture Compliance Specialist 2. 

·         Program Consultant 2 - Under supervision, assists in the planning, coordination, organization, and assessment of the development and implementation of a functional program including program evaluation, and program management.  Learns to oversee, develop, and implement policy, procedures, and processes.  Performs complex and comprehensive research.

·         Ag Compliance Spec 2 - This position is located within the Dairy Program of the Food Safety Division of the GDA.  The Dairy Program is responsible for enforcing state and federal laws, rules and regulations by conducting sanitation inspections of dairy farms and plants.  Regulated firms include dairy farms, Grade A milk plants, ice cream plants, cheese plants single service plants, tanker wash stations, and dairy substation/warehouses to ensure compliance with the Georgia Department of Agriculture regulations, Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).  The dairy compliance specialist collects samples, reviews sanitation practices, reviews records, and product labels along with conducting random and unannounced inspections of dairy establishments that are licensed by the GDA.  All manufactured food compliance specialists must complete advanced training in various specialized processing operations.

            Each position is assigned a specific territory in which they are required to reside in.

Essential Functions: 

Program Consultant 2:

A.    Certifies milk shippers for Interstate Milk Shippers Program:

1.    Establishes policies necessary to administer the Cooperative State-Public Health/FDA programs for certification of IMS, single service containers, sampling, and laboratory procedures according to federal procedures.

2.    Advises the Dairy Division personnel of programs, standards, ordinances, and enforcement practices necessary to comply with the IMS program as needed.

3.    Performs inspections of all milk plants within minimum required frequency.

4.    Analyzes Dairy Division records of each plant involved during each rating period.

5.    Determines results of ratings by transferring all inspection data to appropriate IMS forms and computing the percentage of compliance of shippers and Dairy Division records according to federal standards.

6.    Confers with Shipper regarding the computed compliance rating and secures letter granting permission to publish rating in IMS bulletin.  Advises FDA and other states of the status of all interstate shippers in Georgia.

7.    Assists FDA with making “check” ratings of all shippers recommended for publication in the IMS Bulletin to verify compliance with federal requirements.

B.    Prepares and completes agency, State, and Federal forms.

1.    Completes time sheet in electronic database in an efficient and timely manner.

2.    Prepares and submits mileage and expense reports with are accurate and complete to supervisor every two weeks.

3.    Completes FDA Contracts and other federal forms in a complete, accurate, and timely manner.

C.   Certifies single service container plants for interstate shipments.

1.    Selects assigned plant for rating inspection which includes on the spot evaluations of plant facilities, manufacturing processes, and materials on a biennial basis.

2.    Analyzes and compiles Dairy Division records to determine frequency of inspections, lab results on products, and enforcement practices to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

3.    Approves shipper for inclusion on IMS bulletin.

4.    Assists FDA in making “check” audits of each recommended shipper to ensure compliance with federal requirements.

D.   Evaluates department inspection personnel performance and enforcement practices.

1.    Computer enforcement ratings of plants assigned to each inspector by reviewing Dairy Division records.

2.    Conducts interviews with each inspector concerning their knowledge of the work, interpretation of the ordinance, and personal work habits during each rating period.

3.    Compiles date and tabulates results of the evaluation to include recommendations for review by senior management.

Ag Compliance Spec 2:

A.   Inspects and investigates dairy farm, plants, tankers, haulers, and manufacturing facilities.  Performs duties in a manner to ensure compliance with applicable rules and regulations, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), and Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) requirements and advises dairy firm owners, managers, and personnel.

1.    Conducts inspections of all assigned firms using established frequencies and procedures based on applicable laws, rules, and regulations relative to sanitation, physical requirements, accuracy of scales, food safety, product labeling, refrigeration, finished product testing and reporting of positive results, etc.

2.    Observes employees of food and dairy firms for adherence to health and food sanitation regulations and GMP’s governing cleanliness.

3.    Advises dairy firm managers and personnel about health and food sanitation rules and regulations.

4.    Notifies supervisor immediately when food or dairy firms have imminent food sanitation hazards, do not meet minimum standards, or when problems or significant changes in assigned area occur.

5.    Reviews plans and specifications for new or renovated food establishments.  Consults with owners and/or builders to bring plans into compliance with applicable rules and regulations and provides technical explanations to industry persons when needed.

6.    Submits license application, documents, and fee in accordance with established policies, laws, rules, and regulations.

7.    Brief dairy firm person in charge of inspection or investigation findings, detailing corrective action when necessary, completing supportive documentation in an accurate and timely manner.

8.    Issues stop sale order or witness a voluntary destruction on food items suspected of being adulterated, contaminated, or misbranded.

9.    Maintains all State issued equipment properly.

10.  On assigned dairy firms - Maintains a minimum enforcement rating on State ratings and federal check ratings of 90, showing a high degree of assisting and following up on violations found in any applicable area.

11.  Examines plant records to ascertain that required specialized training and documentation are following regulations during each inspection.

12.  Works with other State and Federal agencies as assigned.

13.  Requires a high degree of organization and record-keeping skills.

B.   Collects samples of dairy finished products, processed products, environmental swabs, raw milk, glycol, and water samples as necessary from all firms in assigned area of responsibility and/or as directed according to established procedures.  Distributes samples to laboratories for analysis.

1.    Ensures integrity of samples utilizing sanitary sampling procedures and transporting within the established time frame.

2.    Selects and packs all samples in a secure manner and properly identify for transporting to laboratory.

3.    Selects and packs perishable samples in refrigerant for transporting to laboratory according to established requirements in a timely and efficient manner.

4.    Submits an accurate and complete collection report for each sample to the food, dairy, and/or pesticide laboratory with all required information which accompanies the sample.

5.    Conducts follow-up on laboratory analysis and implements corrective action as required for violative results in a timely manner.

6.    Collects follow-up on laboratory analysis and implements corrective action as required for violative results in a timely manner.

7.    Collects, secures, and submits environmental swabs in accordance to rules, regulations, and guidance documents.

8.    Supervises the collection of environmental swabs by employees of food and dairy facilities when applicable.

C. Maintains knowledge of current policies, laws, regulations, and developments in the field by reading appropriate policy notices, interpretations and attending training sessions, meetings and conferences.

1.    Attends district and agency meetings as required to maintain knowledge of health and food safety programs.  Attends conferences and training courses as scheduled.

2.    Reads, interprets, communicates, and applies information disseminated from policy directives.

 D. Prepares and completes agency, State, and Federal forms.

1.    Completes time and activities in the electronic database in an efficient and timely manner.

2.    Prepares and submits mileage and expense reports which are accurate and complete to supervisor on the last working day of the month.

3.    Completes FDA Contracts and other federal forms in a complete, accurate and timely manner.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

Bachelor's degree in a related field from an accredited college or university AND One year of related experience OR completion of an apprenticeship/internship that sufficiently supplied experience to understand the basic principles relevant to the major duties of the position OR any other combination of education and professional experience that provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform the job.

Physical Demands:

1.      Periods of prolonged standing/walking

2.      Possibility of climbing stairs or ladders

3.      Exposure to the weather/elements

4.      Exposure to a broad range of temperatures

5.      Long travel days

6.      Lifting of equipment up to, and possibly in excess of, thirty (30) lbs.

7.      Prolonged periods of sitting

8.      Typing and repetitive movements

9.      Flexibility to meet the needs of the Department for emergencies, outbreaks, and responses that may occur outside working hours (nights, weekends).

Preferred Education and Experience:

·         Working knowledge of Windows computer operating system and related applications (Word, Excel, etc.);

·         Working knowledge of the Digital Health Department (DHD) data system.

·         Knowledge of dairy plant inspection protocols.

Other Duties: 

1.    Overnight travel during ratings and attending meetings will be required.

2.    Attend and represent Georgia at the biennial NCIM conference and the annual NADRO conference.

NOTE: The Georgia Department of Agriculture conducts background checks on all final candidates.  The hiring of applicants is contingent upon satisfactory results of employment verification, background, and criminal records investigations, and motor vehicle reports.

HOW TO APPLY:  Resumes may be submitted by adding to your profile in Team Georgia Careers.

·         Via Team Georgia Careers http://team.georgia.gov/careers/

The GDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. All qualified applicants will be considered but may not necessarily receive an interview. Due to the large volume of submissions received by this office, information concerning application and/or interview status cannot be provided.  Selected applicants will be contacted for the next steps in the interview process.  Applicants who are not selected will not receive a notification.

Please contact the Human Resources Office at (404) 656-3615 if you need accommodation.

** The position will be closed once a suitable candidate is identified **