Title: Food Safety Manager #00068
State Role Title: Environmental Manager I
Hiring Range: $80,000-$95,000 annually. If the selected candidate resides within the Northern Virginia Pay Area of Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, Prince William, Loudoun, or Manassas/Manassas Park, the hiring salary range is $87,000-$105,000 annually.
Pay Band: 5
Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture
Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW
Agency Website: https://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/
Recruitment Type: General Public - G
Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Food Safety Manager for the Food Safety Program in the Office of Dairy and Foods, Division of Animal and Food Industry Services. Under the leadership of the Program Manager, the Manager will collaborate and direct assigned regions of a statewide Food Safety Program and provide both operational and technical management and support for the Food Safety Program that includes four regional offices. Program activities include administering all food laws and regulations; implementing and directing an inspection program that will protect the public from adulterated and misrepresented food products and dietary supplements while simultaneously promoting food safety and coordinating emergency response activities with respect to food products. Duties include coordinating human resource activities; managing grants and ensuring federal contract compliance; evaluating current regulations and making recommendations for amendments or new legislation; working with the Program Manager to achieve the objectives and strategies as outlined in the strategic plan; and overseeing inspection and emergency response activities. The Managers will have routine interaction with Virginia’s food industries, federal/state officials and law enforcement organizations, special interest groups, and the general public to communicate program services and regulatory requirements.
The selected individual will establish and work from home offices under the guidance and direction of the Office of Dairy and Foods Program Manager. They will be required to work from the VDACS headquarters in downtown Richmond a minimum of one day per week, or as otherwise needed or approved. The home office will serve as the base point for related commuting and travel requirements; therefore, the home office location must reasonably be distanced from Richmond to allow for efficient travel and productivity. This is generally determined to be approximately 2 hours allowing for some flexibility. The home office must have reliable access to a network for mobile communications. Once onboarded, this position may be eligible for telework opportunities; availability, hours, and duration of telework shall be approved as outlined in the Commonwealth’s telework policy.
Minimum Qualifications
Extensive knowledge of food and dietary supplement safety principles and practices. Demonstrated knowledge of budget/fiscal management and prioritized allocation of resources, financial management, legislative processes and policy and regulation development practices. Demonstrated ability to manage and supervise personnel, operations, and technical aspects of a complex statewide program. Exceptional oral/written communication skills, public relations and presentation skills. Exceptional customer service, organizational, interpersonal and leadership skills and proven ability to interact effectively with industry, state/federal government officials, the food industry, a diverse workforce and the general public. Proven ability to motivate, coach, lead and manage/supervise personnel as well as demonstrate team orientation, flexibility and desire for constant improvement. Progressive experience in food, health or environmental regulatory compliance programs to include grant management, financial analysis, personnel management, and purchasing procedures. Computer proficiency, considerable relevant supervisory experience and relevant technical expertise. Must have (or be eligible for) and maintain a valid driver’s license and have a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. HS Diploma/GED required.
Additional Considerations
A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge food science, biology, chemistry, biochemistry, environmental health or a related field. Experience in regulatory compliance programs, state/federal food laws and food and dietary supplement safety principles are strongly preferred. Knowledge and experience with Virginia’s legislative processes as well as demonstrated knowledge of legal principles, policy and regulation development processes are desirable.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act requires that before we can legally employ an individual, we must verify both the identity and employment authorization of the individual. VDACS uses Form I-9 to satisfy this requirement. Form I-9, instructions, and the List of Acceptable Documents can be found at https://www.uscis.gov/i-9. VDACS does not offer sponsorship for employment purposes; therefore, the selected candidate will need to be able to provide acceptable documents in accordance with Form I-9 (use link above for more details). Additionally, VDACS participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For additional assistance with this requirement, please contact hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov.
Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
Contact Information
Name: Human Resources
Phone: 804-786-3531
Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.
Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.