Senior Inspector

Inspect, survey and investigate establishments that manufacture, handle, process, store, distribute and/or sell of food and food products, milk and milk products, frozen desserts, seafood and shellfish, custom meat and poultry slaughtering and/or processing, and/or food service to determine compliance with statutory provisions and regulations for the public’s health protection and consumer safety. Evaluate shellfish shippers, milk shippers, and milk laboratories for compliance with interstate cooperative programs. Obtain samples of food and food products for analysis.  Respond to emergencies and conduct environmental assessments during foodborne illness investigations. Obtain evidence and establish facts concerning suspected or alleged violations of applicable laws, rules and regulations; review corrective actions; monitor enforcement procedures in cases of noncompliance. Prepare reports, testify at hearings, and review applications for licenses or permits.

Coordinate activities with federal, state, and local agencies; provide technical assistance to local inspectors, other state agencies, and industry partners. Provide guidance and consultation to food processing and other facilities or services in order to improve the quality of their functions, operations and services. Participate in studies related to planning for food service, food processing, milk, milk products, frozen dessert pasteurization and processing plants, seafood and shellfish plants, and custom meat and poultry slaughtering and/or processing facilities to assure compliance with departmental licensure and certification requirements.  Review reports and determine appropriate action to resolve problems.  Perform related duties as required or directed.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)

• Inspect establishments that manufacture, handle, process, store, distribute and/or sell food and food products for compliance with laws, rules, regulations and established standards. Collect evidence and documentation to support inspection observations in accordance with DFP procedures.

• Evaluate practices at food processing facilities and dairy laboratories for compliance with appropriate laws, rules, regulations, and established standards. Evaluate shellfish shippers for compliance with the National Shellfish Sanitation Program Guide for the Control of Molluscan Shellfish, and interstate milk shippers and dairy laboratories for compliance with requirements of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments.

• Inspect foods and food products for compliance with governing laws, rules, regulations and established standards and take appropriate actions for substances found sub-standard, contaminated or otherwise unacceptable for consumption. Conduct traceback and trace forward of foods implicated in illness, injury, outbreak or found to contain a hazard.

• Obtain samples of food and food products for laboratory analysis in accordance with established procedures. Conduct routine and special sampling programs as assigned to assure compliance with standards of quality, identity, and purity.

• Investigate reports of food-related incidents within recommended timeframes. Conduct environmental assessments using established procedures, and analyze environmental assessment data to identify contributing factors and antecedents that led to food contamination or adulteration causing illness, injury, or outbreak.

• Respond to food-related emergencies, including floods, fires, and vehicle accidents. Conduct food-related illness, outbreak, and hazard response activities with other authorities.

• Document violations and observations in accordance with procedures established by DFP, and follow-up with appropriate corrective action, compliance and enforcement. Review corrective action plans filed with DFP for effectiveness, and perform recall audit checks as needed.

• Use established procedures to recommend appropriate progressive compliance and enforcement actions to the Department. Testify at hearings relative to the violation of laws, rules and regulations pertaining to foods and food products.

• Review applications for new or renewed licenses or permits for completeness and accuracy. Provide food processors with guidance on food manufacturing practices and principles of sanitation to improve the quality of their operations.

• Maintain liaison with local regulatory authorities and industry partners to exchange information and resolve problems. Provide consultation and training to local boards of health and their agents regarding inspectional and investigative techniques.  Provide guidance on training for staff of food processing facilities and dairy laboratories.

• Perform related duties such as ensuring the proper disposal of confiscated products; maintaining records and files; responding to inquiries; attending and lecturing at meetings and conferences. Participate in studies related to food service, food processing, and other facilities and services to insure compliance with departmental licensure and certification requirements and to acquire additional knowledge in these areas which will aid in the future planning of these services.

• Oversee and coordinate activities relative to the inspection of food and food products to ensure compliance with established standards.

• Review reports for completeness, accuracy and content and to determine appropriate action to be taken to resolve problems. Evaluate labeling, answer correspondence, perform statistical evaluation of inspectional and laboratory reports, collect information on specific topics and perform related work as required or directed.

• Complete trainings requirements within recommended timelines, and ensure that DFP files have updated copies of training certificates in accordance with the Food Inspector Training Manual developed under FDA’s Manufactured Food Regulatory Program Standards.

• Conduct desk audits of new and renewal license applications filed through BCEH eLicensing including Animal Laboratory permits under 105 CMR 910.00. Use eLicense system to identify and report non-conformances to BCEH and DFP management. Coordinate approved site visits to animal laboratories with BCEH and DFP management, USDA APHIS, and MSCPA as needed.

• Perform related duties as required or directed.

Required  Qualifications:

·       Knowledge of the types and characteristics of various foods and food products and drugs.

·       Demonstrated familiarity with the methods used in the manufacturing, handling, processing, storage and distribution of food, food products and drugs.

·       Proficiency in the terminology and standard abbreviations used in connection with the manufacturing, handling, processing, storage and distribution of food, food products and drugs.

·       Awareness of the types and uses of equipment and materials used in the manufacturing, handling, processing, storage and distribution of food, food products and drugs.

·       Knowledge of inspection methods and techniques as they pertain to the manufacturing, handling, processing, storage and distribution of food, food products and drugs.

·       Familiarity with the standard methods and devices used in testing food, food products and drugs.

·       Knowledge of sanitation and safety practices and procedures in connection with the manufacturing, handling, processing, storage and distribution of food, food products and drugs.

·       Proficiency in investigative techniques.

·       Ability to understand, apply and explain the provisions of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.

·       Capacity to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

·       Skill to assemble items of information in according to established procedures.

·       Ability to determine the proper format for assembling items of information and to maintain accurate records.

·       Capability to work accurately with names, numbers, codes and/or symbols.

·       Talent to communicate effectively in oral and written expression and to deliver give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner.

·       Skill to adjust to changing situations to meet emergency or changing program requirements.

·       Ability to lift and carry heavy objects.

·       Ability to walk and/or stand for prolonged periods of time.

·       Talent to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, the capabilities of subordinates and available resources; controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations; determining subordinates’ training needs and providing or arranging for such training; motivating subordinates to work effectively; determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.

Preferred Qualifications:

·       Demonstrated knowledge of the types, characteristics and equipment used in various foods and food products and drugs; methods used in the manufacturing, handling, processing, storage and distribution of food and food products.

·       Skilled with the sanitation and safety practices in connection with the manufacturing, handling, processing, storage and distribution of food and food products.

·       Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

·       Aptitude in gathering information through observing and questioning individuals and by examining records and documents.

·       Experience in the manufacturing, processing or distribution of food and food products, the major duties of which involved the inspection of food and food products, or in regulatory or law enforcement work involving the inspection of food and food products, or a bachelor's or higher degree with a major in food science or related field.

·       Knowledge of the laws, rules regulations, policies, procedures, specifications, standards and guidelines governing the manufacture, sale, and inspection of food, food products milk, milk products, frozen dessert pasteurization and processing plants, and seafood and shellfish plants.

·       Willingness to work varied shifts and/or irregular hours.

·       Capacity to deal effectively with the public; to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with others.

·       Strong written and oral communication skills, including drafting concise, detailed reports, charts, and graphs.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website, http://www.mass.gov

ADA Reasonable Accommodation:

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. 4