Food Products Inspection Administrator (#MGAZ05)
$66,646.00 Yearly Min / $83,307.00 Yearly Mid / $99,968.00 Yearly Max

The class incumbent is the administrator of the statewide inspection, grading and compliance investigation programs for meat, poultry, eggs, fruit and vegetable products.

A class incumbent reports to the Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and is responsible for administering assigned inspection, grading and compliance programs to ensure the requirements of applicable state and federal laws and regulations are met.  The incumbent in this class is responsible for overseeing the inspection of the slaughter and processing of meat and poultry, mandatory grading of poultry and poultry products, voluntary and mandatory grading of eggs and egg products and fruit and vegetable inspection.  A class incumbent directs investigations and compliance activities to assure compliance with established legal and regulatory standards for specific product operations.  A significant aspect of the job involves serving as liaison between the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture on matters which include but are not limited to inspections, violations, investigations, laboratory compliance, emergency response to contamination incidents, equal employment and civil rights.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Plan and formulates policies and programs related to assigned inspection, compliance and grading functions to ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, rules and procedures including the U.S. Meat & Poultry Act, the Poultry & Egg Grading Act, and the Meat & Vegetable Inspection Act of the Agriculture Marketing Services.
   
• Plans, directs, reviews and evaluates the work of subordinates.  Provides technical guidance and assistance.  Oversees the training and recertification of licensed employees.  Administers special tests, as required. 
   
• Reviews and evaluates program operations to ensure uniform interpretation and application of regulations, instructions, standards and specifications.  Recommends and implements appropriate modifications. 
   
• Reviews and approves facility management and operating plans to ensure facilities, equipment and procedures meet federal and state specifications for specific industry.  Reviews and approves plans and blue prints for new construction and renovations.
   
• Receives appeals of decisions by field supervisors, inspectors or graders from regulated industries and businesses and recommends appropriate action.
   
• Provides supervision and technical direction in the detection, investigation and documentation of violations of applicable laws and regulations.  Reviews information and recommends actions to appropriate legal, state and federal officials.  Directs the application of prescribed sanctions in accordance with case disposition guidelines for violations of inspection laws.  Investigates firms in allied industries when in violation.
   
• Maintains liaison with industry officials and federal regulatory officials to enhance effectiveness of State's regulatory programs.
   
• Prepares and/or reviews and evaluates a variety of reports, schedules and certificates.
   
• Directs emergency activities in response to residue contamination incidents.   Coordinates activities with federal officials.  Determines the need for recalls.  Participates in the establishment of policies, goals and plans for residue monitoring and controlling activities.
   
• Serves as liaison officer between the Delaware Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture for equal employment opportunity and civil rights programs.  Conducts reviews to evaluate EEO program compliance and provides technical guidance to industry employees who perform EEO duties.  Coordinates EEO and Civil Rights training.
   
• Directs all enforcement actions in state related to violations of the U.S. Meat & Poultry Act, the Poultry & Egg Grading Act, and the Meat & Vegetable Inspection Act of the Agriculture Marketing Services, and State of Delaware equivalents codes.
   
• Prepare and administers annual operating budget.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and departmental laws, rules, regulations, programs, policies, procedures and systems relating to industries regulated.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and diseases of public health significance.
• Knowledge of type of products, product processing cycles, and health and condition standards/factors in regulated industries.
• Knowledge of acceptable design and operating standards, characteristics, tools, equipment, procedures and practices of plants and establishments in regulated industries.
• Knowledge of relevant inspection, sampling, and testing techniques.
• Knowledge of State and federal budget processes and fiscal policies and cycles.
• Knowledge of the principles public administration and employee management and supervision.
• Knowledge of physical, chemical and biological factors affecting the wholesomeness of meat, poultry, eggs, fruit and vegetable products.
• Knowledge of basic legal procedures and processes regarding inspections and compliance investigations, as well as criminal investigations.
• Knowledge of rules, regulations and procedures necessary to maintain the federal accreditation for laboratories.
• Knowledge of state and federal employment discrimination and Civil Rights laws, rules and regulations.
• Skill in evaluating the effectiveness of assigned programs and services.
• Skill in developing and implementing programs.
• Skill in preparing and administering section budget.
• Skill in preparing clear and comprehensive reports.
• Ability to plan and direct the work of subordinate staff.
• Ability to review plant plans and blue prints.
• Ability to recognize conditions in regulated products that would make them unfit for human consumption.
• Ability to assess for QA/QC analytical results from food safety testing.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a broad range of business, industry, community, administrative and regulatory officials.
• Ability to understand, interpret and explain applicable statutory requirements.
• Ability to recognize and mediate diverse and/or conflicting priorities.
• Ability to determine and/or recommend appropriate enforcement procedures.
• Ability to recognize the mediate diverse and/or conflicting priorities.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Food Products Inspection Administrator
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in Food Science, Food Service Management, Microbiology, Chemistry, Biology or related field. 
2. Six months experience in food processing methods in a manufacturing environment.
3. Six months experience in program administration such as overseeing and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services; planning and establishing short and long range program goals and objectives. Providing advice to other agency organizational units through consultation.
4. Three years experience in determining compliance with laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
5. Six months experience in budget management and control which includes managing a budget for the purpose of keeping expenditures within the limitations of available appropriations and available revenue and maintaining, monitoring, projecting and controlling a budget within set policies and procedures.
6. Six months experience in staff supervision which includes planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others.