Job Description

Job Description and Duties

Under close supervision of the Agricultural Program Supervisor II (APS), the Environmental Scientist (ES) is responsible for the scientific analysis and evaluation of regulatory operations and practices related to environmental health and food safety including, but not limited to, conducting investigations of regulated facilities as required and assuring conformance with state and federal laws and regulations governing the compliance of salmonella enteritidis (SE) reduction standards for shell eggs and egg products.

• Perform shell egg and liquid egg product inspections, Food Drug Administration (FDA), Shell Egg Food Safety (SEFS), and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspections to ensure compliance with California Code of Regulations (CCR’s) and Food and Agricultural Code (FAC)

• Serve as public and environmental health scientist, conducting science and risk-based investigations in layer housing facilities, and shell egg processing plants by applying principals of microbiology, chemistry, and physics to verify compliance with laws and standards pertaining to contamination of shell eggs and shell egg products with pathogenic microorganisms and other environmental hazards

• Prepare environmental compliance packages, federal and state registration forms and other environmental documents for new and existing layer facilities requiring state or federal registration and inspection

• Perform SEFS reviews to ensure a salmonella enteritidis (SE) prevention program is effectively implemented, including reviewing SE prevention plans, any prior FDA inspection letters, FDA warning letters, documents pertaining to the completion of chick paper sampling and testing, environmental sampling and testing of the location where the chickens are housed, documents pertaining to the completion of a SE vaccination protocol or program, production facility pack-out reports to verify egg case volume and percentage break down of egg sizes based on grade out reports, egg handler/producer registration information, and any other documents, as required, to ensure the facility is in compliance with all requirements of the California Code of Regulations (CCR’s) and the Food and Agricultural Code (FAC)

• Perform SEFS audits and investigations at layer facilities to ensure compliance with CCR’s and relay any questions or concerns to APS II

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

You will find additional information about the job in the .

Working Conditions

The duties of this position are conducted in-doors and out-doors at egg layer farms, egg production, and distribution facilities, retail facilities, CDFA locations and other locations as needed. The ES travels in-state and out-of-state often and to those establishments throughout an assigned geographical area to conduct investigations and inspections, and to conduct reviews on behalf of the United States Department of Agriculture and Food and Drug Administration. Egg production and distribution facilities usually have wet, slippery floors, are noisy, and have many potential hazards such as moving equipment, heavy overhead structures, and sharp knives. Layer farms are often dusty and noisy. The ES duties also necessitate working in cold dry coolers, freezers, warm humid processing areas, and seasonal environmental conditions while inspecting buildings and surrounding property. Driving a State vehicle to various locations throughout the assigned area is required on a daily basis.

Regular or recurring telework may occur as part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFAs Telework Policy. Any employee who is teleworking must adhere to all telework policies and procedures.

The incumbent must follow CDFA, Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies. A complete list of working conditions can be found in the Duty Statement.

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers 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.

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required and must be submitted with your Employment Application (STD. 678). Applications received without an appropriate SOQ based on the instructions below will be disqualified from this recruitment. Resumes, cover letters, and other documents will not be considered as a response to the SOQ. SOQ Instructions are below:

• Restate the questions prior to your response

• Include your name and the job control number

• Must be single-spaced, no more than two (2) pages, and size 11 Arial font

1. What types of experience have you had collecting and analyzing data? How much of this experience was done in the field or a laboratory?

2. What types of experience have you had with food safety compliance or enforcement?

3. What experience have you had with foodborne illness, outbreak, and hazard response?

4. What experience have you had developing new methods or procedures and/or revising existing methods or procedures?

5. What experience do you have in coordinating an inspection schedule that requires travel to multiple locations?

6. What experience or education do you have regarding interpreting regulation and guidance?

Benefits

Benefit information can be found on the CalHR website and the CalPERS website.

Hard Copy Applications:

If you are dropping off or mailing in your application, please use the Examination/Employment Application, STD 678 Revised 6/2024 version.

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is optional. It may be included, but is not required.
• Statement of Qualifications -

  A completed Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your State Application to be considered. The SOQ must follow the specifics as stated in the “Special Requirements” section.

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