DEPT OF HEALTH SERVICES

Address:  150 N. 18th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85007

Salary: $52,800 - $63,800 

Grade: 19-22

The first review of resumes will be on Monday, March 24, 2025

This position will work closely with the program manager in order to provide consultative services to county health departments including conducting joint food safety and environmental health inspections; training and standardization of sanitarians; providing food code interpretations and clarification; processing cottage food registrations and program support; conducting food safety and environmental health inspections (and/or complaint investigations) of state licensed facilities including but not limited to: state prisons, colleges, universities, children's camps, behavioral health facilities, public schools, trailer parks, lodging, bottled water manufacturers, food processing/manufacturing establishments, warehouses, adult use marijuana facilities, and other type of establishments as needed. FDA Retail Food Standardization desired and experience in architectural plan review for new and remolded covered establishments.

This position will also be developing standard operating procedures related to internal work activities, license application, inspections, education, compliance and enforcement; creating technical assistance documents, gathering and compiling data related to inspections which will be used to create annual reports. This position will interpret food safety regulations and provide technical assistance to food operators, county health departments, and other agencies in regards to adult use marijuana facilities and kitchens. Employee will answer inquiries from the public on food safety and environmental topics, rules, and statues. This position will also be expected to contribute to Arizona's conformance with the manufactured food regulatory program standards and to become FDA Commissioned to perform inspections. Other manufactured food program duties may include policy development, writing of standard operating procedures, record keeping, and training development. The position will also be responsible for continued development and database maintenance and other administrative activities as needed. Excellent interpersonal skills to build and foster relationships and represent the Department at meetings with internal and external stakeholders. Employee will be expected to make independent decisions and judgments based on their professional education, programmatic experience, and training. This position will be responsible for conducting environmental investigations and generating outbreak reports based upon information obtained, observations, and scientific principles. Performs other duties as assigned.

This position may offer the ability to work remotely, within Arizona, based upon the department's business needs and continual meeting of expected performance measures.

The State of Arizona strives for a work culture that affords employees flexibility, autonomy, and trust. Across our many agencies, boards, and commissions, many State employees participate in the State’s Remote Work Program and are able to work remotely in their homes, in offices, and in hoteling spaces. All work, including remote work, should be performed within Arizona unless an exception is properly authorized in advance.

-Provide consultative services to county health departments including conducting joint food safety and environmental health inspections, training and standardization of sanitarians; providing food code interpretations and clarification; conducting food safety and environmental health inspections (and/or complaint investigations) of state licensed facilities including but not limited to: state prisons, colleges, universities, children's camps, behavioral health facilities, food processing/manufacturing establishments, warehouses, adult use marijuana facilities, and other types of establishments as needed.
-Develop standard operating procedures related to internal work activities, permit applications, inspections, education, compliance and enforcement; creating technical assistance documents, educational materials, presentations, and infographics. Interpret food safety regulations, perform plan review, and provide technical assistance to food operators, county health departments, and other agencies.
-Employee will answer inquiries from the public on food safety, environmental topics, and adult use marijuana rules and statutes. Developing formal training presentations or modules pertinent to food safety. Assist in development and maintenance of inspection database. Gathering and compiling data related to inspections which will be used to create annual reports.
-Will represent the Department at meetings with internal and external stakeholders. Employee will make independent decisions and judgments based on their professional education, programmatic experience, and training.
-Other duties as assigned as related to the position (typically 5% - 10%)

Knowledge of:

Knowledge of public health practices, knowledge of inspections, and investigations methods, knowledge of the Arizona Food Code, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's model food code, Code of Federal Regulations (CFRs), as well as any other federal or state law that may apply or relate to this position, knowledge of communicable and environmentally caused diseases and their control, sanitation principles and practices and appropriate sanitation inspection protocols, and health education.

Epidemiology and the scientific methods as applied to environmental control; Sanitation principles and appropriate sanitation inspection protocols; Up-to-date scientific developments and advancements in food safety and environmental health.

Proficient use of a computer with knowledge of software such as Word, Excel, Access, Power Point, and Google Workspace applications. Knowledge of various software packages and how to provide reports, graphs and spreadsheets in various formats. Knowledge of agency and commission program policy and procedures, regulations and operating procedures.
-Performance Management (PM), and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) and Lean methodologies.

Skills in:

Conducting food safety and environmental health inspections, training and standardization of sanitarians; providing food code interpretations and clarification; conducting food safety and environmental health inspections (and/or complaint investigations) of state
licensed facilities.

Skill in oral and written communications, interpersonal skills as working independently and as a team. Interacting tactfully with staff and the public. In many circumstances, effective communication will be required in order educate operators, as well as gain compliance in regulatory matters. Will also communicate with a variety of individuals ranging from fellow state employees, to technical experts, to professionals, and members of the general public. Requires problem solving skills and knowledge of program and project planning.

Coherent, organized and effective communication, both verbally and in writing, such as for reports. Researching, collecting, and analyzing data to create concise technical program reports; developing and implementing various improvement initiatives for assigned program areas.

Ability to:

Plan and organize projects; provide assistance; ability to work with a wide variety of individuals and organizations; ability to develop and maintain spreadsheets; perform assigned tasks in a timely, responsive, and accurate manner. The ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and establish priorities among conflicting needs, ability to develop effective operating procedures, review work carefully for completeness and accuracy.
Support county health department partners as a subject matter expert.

Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; work effectively with others; prepare concise technical reports; effect improvement in sanitary practices in the private sector and sanitary programs in the public sector; observe violations of statute and identify the level of compliance in inspected facilities; collect, analyze and clearly document the outcomes and observations of an inspection or complaint in a report; appropriately plan projects and workload to meet the minimum inspections required; read and interpret architectural plans of new and remodeled food establishments; comprehend and make inferences from written material.

-Support a diverse multi-cultural workforce that reflects the community, promotes equal opportunity at all levels of public employment, and creates an inclusive work environment that enables all individuals to perform to their fullest potential free from discrimination.

Bachelor's degree in natural or health sciences or related field and 0 to 10 years experience environmental health. Preference will given to candidates with food safety inspections and regulation experience, to include the interpretation of regulatory codes.

Must hold a current Registered Sanitarian (RS) credential from the state of Arizona or NEHA REHS/RS equivalent.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of the job to conduct State business, then the following requirements apply: Driver’s License Requirements.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
− Affordable medical and dental insurance plans
− Paid vacation and sick time
− Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
− 10 paid holidays per year
− Wellness program and plans
− Life insurance
− Short/long-term disability insurance
− Defined retirement plan
− Award winning Infant at Work program
− Credit union membership
− Transit subsidy
− ADHS Student Assistance Pilot Program

By providing the option of a full-time or part-time remote work schedule, employees enjoy improved work/life balance, report higher job satisfaction, and are more productive. Remote work is a management option and not an employee entitlement or right. An agency may terminate a remote work agreement at its discretion.

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

To help you build a financially secure future, the State makes monthly contributions to finance your retirement benefit. The State will contribute to the ASRS in an amount equal to your contribution. In other words, you and the State will each pay 50% of the total cost of the benefit. New State employees have a 27-week wait period for contributions to begin.

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request a reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling (602) 542-1085. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation. DHS is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All newly hired employees will be subject to E-Verify Employment Eligibility Verification.