Working Title: Manufactured Food Specialist or Manufactured Food Advisor
Job Class: Agricultural Specialist or Agricultural Advisor
Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture
Job ID : 88247
Location : St. Paul
Telework Eligible : Yes
Full/Part Time : Full-Time
Regular/Temporary : Unlimited
Who May Apply : Open to bidders and to all qualified job seekers simultaneously. Bids accepted through 08/25/2025.
Date Posted : 08/18/2025
Closing Date : 09/03/2025
Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Department of Agriculture / Agriculture-MAPE
Division/Unit : Food and Feed Safety Division / Manufactured Food Safety A Staff
Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Days of Work : Monday - Friday
Travel Required : Yes, occasionally requiring overnight stays and may require work on weekends
Salary Range: $25.29 - $36.71 / hourly; $52,805 - $76,650 / annually
Job Class Option : Food
Classified Status : Classified
Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Employees/MAPE
FLSA Status : Nonexempt
Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes
The work you'll do is more than just a job.
At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.
This position is based in Saint Paul, with the option for telework from a home location with supervisor approval. This role primarily conducts onsite food safety inspections in Anoka, Hennepin, Ramsey, and Washington counties but statewide work could be required to meet public health protection needs
Agricultural Specialist : This position exists to achieve Program goals and objectives by establishing and carrying out a detailed work plan that effectively (1) performs inspections, investigations, compliance, and enforcement activities in food facilities, for assurance and general enforcement of state and federal food safety laws and regulations; and (2) provides information and technical assistance for clientele with respect to manufactured food safety issues or compliance with state and federal manufactured food safety laws and regulations.
Agricultural Advisor : This position exists to achieve Program goals and objectives by establishing and carrying out a detailed work plan that effectively (1) performs inspections, investigations, compliance, and enforcement activities in food facilities, for assurance and general enforcement of State and Federal food safety laws and regulations; (2) provides information and technical assistance for clientele with respect to manufactured food safety issues or compliance with State and Federal food safety laws and regulations; and (3) provides inspection training and evaluation for State and local manufactured food regulatory staff.
Minimum Qualifications
To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.
Agricultural Specialist - To qualify for the Agricultural Specialist level, applicants must meet the following qualifications:
One year experience conducting environmental health regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, HACCP/Food Safety Plans); or equivalent experience in the food manufacturing industry.
OR
A bachelor's degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field that includes 30 semester or 45 quarter credits in science courses.
AND
Must be educationally qualified to obtain certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association or Certified Professional Food Safety (CP-FS) with the National Environmental Health Association.
Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
This position requires the ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Agricultural Advisor - To qualify for the Agricultural Advisor level, applicants must meet the following qualifications:
Two years of experience conducting food safety regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, Food Safety/HACCP); or equivalent experience in industry involving food safety or quality assurance
OR
A bachelor's degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field PLUS one (1) year of experience conducting food safety regulatory work (i.e., inspections, investigations, Food Safety/HACCP); or equivalent experience in industry involving food safety or quality assurance.
OR
A master's degree in biological or physical science, food science, nutrition, environmental health, or closely related field PLUS 6 months of experience conducting food regulatory work (i.e., inspections, investigations, Food Safety/HACCP); or equivalent experience in industry involving food safety or quality assurance.
AND
Must currently possess and maintain certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association.
Must currently possess and maintain an active/valid driver's license with an acceptable motor vehicle record subject to review.
This position requires the ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.
Preferred Qualifications
Agricultural Specialist:
Certification as a Registered Sanitarian/Registered Environmental Health Specialist (RS/REHS) with the State of Minnesota and/or the National Environmental Health Association.
An advanced degree such as a Master's degree in Biology, Chemistry, Epidemiology, Public or Environmental Health, Animal or Food Science, or a related field.
Experience with regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, compliance, enforcement) in manufactured food establishments.
Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience, skill, and comfort with public speaking.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Agricultural Advisor:
A Master's degree or higher in Biology, Chemistry, Epidemiology, Public Health or Environmental Health, Animal or Food Science, or a related field.
More than two (2) years of experience with regulatory work (i.e., inspection, investigation, food safety plans) in manufactured food establishments.
Experience training and/or evaluating inspections of internal and external regulatory staff.
Experience leading or coordinating projects.
Experience collaborating effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
Experience, skill, and comfort with public speaking.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Physical Requirements
Agricultural Specialists and Agricultural Advisors conduct inspections and investigations in the field as needed to ensure compliance with federal and state food safety laws and regulations. The work requires the ability to:
Frequent standing, walking, and occasional climbing of steps or ladders
Bending, reaching, and maintaining awareness of overhead hazards during inspections
Accurate color vision, ability to detect product issues by smell, and ability to hear normal conversation
Occasional use of a filter mask, including in smoky environments
Regular lifting of 10-30 lbs. with occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
Walking on uneven terrain such as farm fields or production floors
Driving for extended periods when traveling to inspection sites
Working in busy environments around large machinery
Exposure to extreme temperatures, from freezers and refrigerated areas to hot, humid processing plants
Interaction with inspected individuals who may be frustrated or concerned
Additional Requirements
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas, including STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.
A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:
a. SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)
b. Employment Reference Check
c. Driver's License Check
d. Conflict of Interest Review
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . Please indicate what assistance is needed.
