Food Industry Specialist 13 (Regional Food Service Spl) - Local Health Services

Food Industry Specialist 13 (Regional Food Service Spl) - Local Health Services

Salary

$35.14 - $51.62 Hourly

Location

To Be Determined - TBD, MI

Job Type

Permanent Full Time

Job Number

7901-26-HFD-020

Department

Agriculture and Rural Development

Opening Date

10/02/2026

Closing Date

10/14/2026 11:59 PM Eastern

Bargaining Unit

SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING (SEIU)

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Description

Food and Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Michigan. Grow with us and make a difference!

Job Summary:

The Food Service Program is required by the Michigan Food Law to provide evaluation, consultation, and training services to Michigan's 45 local health departments. This position serves as a state-wide resource specialist and technical expert responsible for the implementation of the retail Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) food safety program. The specialist is also responsible for the training and consultation of local health department staff in the conduct of the food service program, the standardization of local health department food service program trainers as assigned, and participation as an evaluator in the Michigan Local Public Health Accreditation Program. Statewide travel and overnight stays are sometimes required when conducting multi-day accreditation, trainings, or standardization evaluations throughout the state.

This position is required to follow established standard operating procedures and meet quantity, quality, and timeliness standards for assigned work.

The ideal candidate will possess and be able to demonstrate key position-critical skills and abilities, including: in-depth knowledge and experience of food safety laws and regulations; the ability to communicate effectively (oral, presentations, writing); the ability to provide leadership; the ability to project confidence; the ability to utilize and implement sound decision-making skills; a professional demeanor and composure in all situations; the ability to work with a wide variety of customers and stakeholders - both internal and external; the ability to serve as a resource and technical expert in the area of emergency management planning and response related to food safety; and, the ability to effectively and successfully forecast, plan, direct, and implement work assignments and projects.

Position Description

This position will have a home workstation within Michigan.

About MDARD:

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) partners with the food and agriculture industry to assure a safe, wholesome and abundant food supply; grow our states economy; and improve the lives of Michigan citizens. These are the primary reasons we do the work we do, and we take great pride in doing our jobs well.

The Human Food Division of MDARD has a mission to protect public health by ensuring a safe and wholesome food supply, while working to maintain a viable food and dairy industry. Food safety is the divisions top priority. The Regional Food Service Specialist (Food Industry Specialist 13) is a field-based position within the Local Health Services Unit. This position serves as a statewide resource specialist and technical expert, requires the ability to successfully communicate and provide training and leadership to MDARD staff and stakeholders including local health partners, as well as the ability to be self-motivated.

More About MDARD:

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is comprised of four Bureaus that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the publics food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $125.8 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.

MDARD is committed to a department-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion program that builds upon our values and invests in our employees. We provide an inclusive culture through involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.

The State of Michigan offers a competitive benefits package for all career employees that include medical, dental and vision coverage, along with paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, retirement and much more. Click the following link to learn more:

State of Michigan - Employee Benefits

Required Education and Experience

Education

Possession of a bachelors degree in animal science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental health, food science/technology, microbiology, toxicology, veterinary science, or a related field including 10 semester (15 term) credits in a combination of biology and/or chemistry courses.

Experience

Four years of professional food and dairy industry experience equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist, including two years equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist P11.

Additional Requirements and Information

Please attach a cover letter, resume and official college transcripts to your application, if applicable. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrars signature and/or seal.

Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.

Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.

Accommodations

If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the ADA coordinator for the agency that posted this position vacancy.

State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.

More details on benefits for our new hires are below:

Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.

Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.

Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.

Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.

Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.

Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.

Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.

Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.

Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.

Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.

Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.

Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.

Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.

Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.

Updated: 2/28/24

01

FDISPL - Do you possess a bachelors degree or higher in animal science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental health, food science/technology, microbiology, toxicology, veterinary science, or a related field including 10 semester (15 term) credits in a combination of biology and/or chemistry courses? If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts.

• Yes
• No

02

FDISPL2 - Do you possess at least four years of professional food and dairy industry experience?

• Yes
• No

03

Did you attach a cover letter, resume, and official college transcripts to your application? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.)

• Yes
• No

04

How many years of regulatory experience do you have?

• None
• 1 - 3 years
• 3 - 5 years
• 5 or more years

05

Please provide an example of a successful team you have developed or been a part of. What was the project? What was your role? What made it successful? What could have been done better?

06

Please describe your experience working with local public health and/or other professional experience that you believe is relevant to the position as qualifying experience. Be specific.

07

How would you provide guidance and education for best practices as it relates to specialized processes in retail?

08

Are you currently an MDARD - BFA employee?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer State of Michigan

Department Agriculture and Rural Development Address 525 West Allegan Street

mda-hr-resumes@michigan.gov

Lansing, Michigan, 48909

Phone 517-284-5014

Website https://www.michigan.gov/mdard/about/careers