Job Description and Duties

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Are you passionate about safe produce in California? The California Department of Food & Agriculture's (CDFA) Produce Safety Program (PSP) is hiring produce inspectors to help farmers understand how to comply with the requirements of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR). Are you skilled in training and communication? Knowledgeable on food safety issues? PSP is hiring those up to the challenge. Apply today!

Please Note: A Statement of Qualifications must be submitted along with your application in order to be considered for this position. Please see "special requirements" section for statement of qualifications instructions.

Under the direction of the Senior Environmental Scientist (SES) (Supervisory) within the PSP, the Environmental Scientist will conduct on-farm environmental assessments and farm inspections to ensure compliance with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and the PSR, upholding the Food & Drug Administration's (FDA) approach of "educate before and while we regulate" for FSMA implementation.

The incumbent must be able to be commissioned and credentialed by FDA to perform work concerning present and future environmental issues relating to food safety and must work with industry to bring production/facility sites into compliance with FSMA requirements. The incumbent will be responsible for on-farm inspections to ensure that PSR standards are met and that effective on-farm training and communication are in place. The incumbent will use a prioritized inspectional approach to conduct specific statewide inspections and procedural activities for the PSP.

The Environmental Scientist will be responsible for carrying out inspections and implementing the PSR in the Central Valley Region (Region 4) with the primary focus in Fresno County. Region 4 includes the counties of Madera, Fresno, Kings, Tulare, Inyo, Kern and San Bernadino. The incumbent may be required to go to other locations throughout California as needed.

Please review the Duty Statement under Additional Documents for description of roles and responsibilities.

Candidates may perform these essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position requires the incumbent to work cooperatively with others; maintain regular, consistent, predictable attendance; and exercise good judgment. The incumbent must have good written and oral communications skills. This position requires the incumbent to work from home and to travel by air, private or state vehicle, or other transportation modes to various locations throughout the state. This position is based in Central Coastal California; however, travel throughout California may be required. It may be possible for the person to live outside the region. The incumbent must possess a valid California drivers license to drive a personal or state vehicle.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent's ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFAs Telework Policy.

The duties of this position are performed in various environments, which consist of working outdoors approximately 70% of the time and indoors 30% of the time. The outdoor activities include visiting and traveling overnight to farms, processing plants, trainings, meetings or conferences. Outdoor work may also include walking on uneven ground; carrying and using sample equipment; and conducting visual environmental assessments, field inspections, and data recording. Incumbent may be required to travel and be in field locations during inclement or severe weather.

Indoor work will be performed from a workstation equipped with standard office equipment. Indoor activities may include trainings, presentations, and computer and electronic communication. This position requires the ability to operate a computer terminal, calculator, photocopier, fax, and telephone; participate in, give presentations at, and interact with others at meetings; grasp papers, small objects, and manuals; and maneuver above shoulder level and below waist level to access upper and lower files and cabinets.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-431430

Position #(s):

018-775-0762-006

Working Title:

Environmental Scientist

Classification:

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST

$4,145.00 - $5,132.00 A

$5,037.00 - $6,250.00 B

$6,375.00 - $7,926.00 C

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Fresno County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

The Inspection and Compliance Branch deals with a broad range of environmental, environmental health, and on-farm management issues related to protecting public health. The Branch consists of the following programs: Shipping Point Inspection Program; Produce Safety Program (PSP); State Organic Program; Direct Marketing Program; Standardization Program; Avocado Inspection Program; OCal Program; Citrus Program, and the Technical Assistance Program for Produce Safety. The Branch includes a multi-disciplined staff, including Agriculture Program Supervisors; Environmental Scientists; subject matter specialists; inspectors and investigators; and technical and support staff. The PSP is responsible for the implementation of the Produce Safety Rule (PSR), one of seven new regulations under FSMA.

Special Requirements

Due to the duties of this position, FDA Commission with Credential will be required as a condition of permanent State employment. Once hired, the application process for the FDA Commission with Credential will begin and can take approximately 3-4 months. Commission appointment requires the incumbent to be a citizen of the United States or United States National, and to undergo a detailed background check and live scan fingerprinting. For additional information regarding this process, please see the US Food and Drug Administration Regulatory Procedures Manual available at .

This position is designated under the Conflict of Interest Code. The position is responsible for making or participating in the making of governmental decisions that may potentially have a material effect on personal financial interests. The appointee is required to complete Form 700 within thirty (30) days of appointment, on an annual basis, and upon vacating the position. The incumbent must complete an Ethics orientation training course within six months of assuming a Form 700 covered position, and every two (2) years thereafter, by December 31 of each numbered year. Failure to comply with the Conflict of Interest Code requirements may void the appointment. Only applicable for incumbents placed in Environmental Scientist, Range C.

This position requires a valid California Driver's License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Statement of Qualifications (SOQ):

Applicants are required to submit a statement of qualifications answering the questions below, in addition to a standard State application (Examination/Employment Application STD 678). The SOQ is requested to elicit information regarding each applicants interest and experience in relation to this position. The completed SOQ should not be more than two (2) pages, using Arial, 12-point font size. Resumes, letters, and other materials will not be considered as responses. An SOQ that does NOT conform to the specifications or is incomplete will not be considered. Only those applicants who submit all required documents by the final filing date will be considered. Applications are encouraged to submit transcripts or degree if available.

1. Please describe the FSMA Produce Safety Rule and what it means for the rule to be a set of data-driven, risk-based regulations?
2. Please describe your knowledge and experience with food safety, food microbiology and inspections of farms.
3. How does your knowledge and experience prepare you to inspect farms under the Produce Safety Rule?

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 5/31/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. A