Address: Animal Services Division / Dairy Program
1110 W. Washington Street, Ste. 450 - Phoenix AZ 85007

Salary: 21.25 - 21.25 

Grade: 19

Closing Date: 

The Arizona Department of Agriculture is currently recruiting for a full-time Public Health Sanitarian for the Dairy Program within the Animal Services Division. This position is located in Phoenix and requires some travel throughout the state.

Perform required food safety inspections on dairy farms and dairy processors to ensure the safest possible milk supply and to meet the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) required standards to allow interstate shipments.

Participate in various emergency drills, including drills with the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station. Position requires a flexible work schedule to complete assignments throughout the state. Maintain strict confidentiality. You will be required to drive a state vehicle to conduct inspections locally and throughout the state. Other duties as assigned.

Duties to include but not limited to:

• Inspect dairy farms, wholesalers, processing, and manufacturing plants, to ensure that dairy products are produced, handled, stored, and delivered to meet strict health controls and are in compliance with State and Federal regulations, statutes and rules, the Federal Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) and other public health regulations.
• Sample milk and milk products at producers, processors and manufactures for lab analysis.
• Determine if violations have occurred and determine the needed corrective actions; use independent and discretionary judgment to determine the type of actions to be taken against a plant or dairy; including suspension or revocation of a permit or license.
• Write technical reports documenting violations and corrective actions and re-sample facilities who were in violation.
• Maintain all records and database; maintain confidentiality and the integrity of propriety formulations or equipment, which may be trade secrets.
• Consult with the Food Inspection Program Manager and serve as an advisor regarding issues where revocation of a license or permit is indicated or when a product embargo may be declared for various milk and dairy products.
• Work independently and plan own work schedule based on the schedules of your customers.
• Test and evaluate mechanical systems used in the pasteurization of milk and manufacturing of milk and milk products, including sealing public health controls.
• Investigate and resolve consumer complaints regarding dairy products or facilities.
• Review dairy farms and manufacturing plant construction plans for new construction or remodeling prior to approval; write plan review letters.

Knowledge of: State and Federal rules and regulations regarding dairy farms and processing plants and milk and milk products, including the PMO; Principles and practices of public health sanitation, including food handling and processing specifically dairy farm and milk plant sanitation practices; Dairy Standards for raw and pasteurized milk and milk products; Complex pasteurization equipment, including HTST, HHST, and aseptic processing ; Investigative techniques and technical report writing; Oral and written communication principles.

Skills in: Independent decision making and use of discretionary judgment; Perform testing and evaluations of complex pasteurizing equipment and other dairy handling equipment; performance of milk handling equipment; Interpersonal communication with industry and the public; Personal computer and software; including data base, Excel and Microsoft Word and Google Suite.

Ability to: Operate test equipment to evaluate pasteurizers and other dairy processing equipment; Work independently with minimal supervision; Independent decision making and discretionary judgment in the field.

• Registered Sanitarian with the State of Arizona – Stipend currently applicable for Registered Sanitarians
• Experience in the dairy industry

Valid Driver's License

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 Arizona Department of Agriculture offers a comprehensive benefits package to include:
Sick leave
Vacation with 10 paid holidays per year
Paid Parental Leave-Up to 12 weeks per year paid leave for newborn or newly-placed foster/adopted child (pilot program).
Health and dental insurance
Retirement plan
Life insurance and long-term disability insurance
Optional employee benefits include short-term disability insurance, deferred compensation plans, and supplemental life insurance

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

Positions in this classification participate in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS). ASRS is a mandatory condition of employment for all employees who meet the eligibility and membership criteria defined in statue. Current contribution rate is 12.27%. Enrollment eligibility will become effective after 27 weeks of employment.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Melissa Meek at mmeek@azda.gov for assistance. The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.