Summary/objective:

With minimal supervision, the Food Safety Technician will assist with the implementation of the food safety programs for production, harvest, and sanitation personnel in California, Arizona, and Mexico. The food safety programs include the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) programs, the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) programs. This position reports to the Food Safety Supervisor and requires seasonal relocation between Salinas, California (approximately March–October), Yuma, Arizona, and San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico (approximately October–March).

Essential functions: (to include supervisory responsibilities – if applicable)

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

  • Conducts crew policies and procedure audits at ranches throughout Brawley, California, Yuma, Arizona, San Luis, Arizona, San Luis Rio Colorado Sonora, Mexico, Salinas, California and the surrounding areas
  • Conducts Ranch Assessments in all mentioned areas
  • Investigates, document and take appropriate action on discovered food safety issues
  • Maintains documentation for compliance with food safety program requirements
  • Maintains paper and electronic documentation in an orderly fashion
  • Instructs field personnel on Standard Operations Procedures (SOPs) and Standard Sanitation Operating Procedures (SSOPs) as required
  • Helps production and harvest personnel meet food safety objectives
  • Trains production, harvest and sanitation personnel on food safety program requirements
  • Coordinates and maintains an irrigation water treatment program to include set up and calibration of water treatment systems
  • Conducts raw product and water sampling as needed
  • Regular and consistent attendance mandatory

Competencies:

  • Communication – Written and Verbal
  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving
  • Flexibility/Adaptability
  • People-oriented/Social
  • Teamwork

Work environment:

  • Mostly outdoor, with occasional indoor work
  • Work in an outdoor environment that may include exposure to heat, wind, and dust.
  • Full-time, Monday through Friday, with occasional after hours and weekend work

Physical requirements:

  • See separate physical requirements document for this role.

Travel required:

  • Frequent travel during the winter season to the Desert Region
  • Occasional day trips to Mexico during the winter season to the Desert Region
  • Frequent overnight travel during the winter season to the Desert Region
  • Seasonal relocation to Yuma, Arizona, for the winter season is required

Required education and experience:

  • Have an educational background in an agricultural field of study, preferably an associate degree or work experience equivalent
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office programs
  • Bilingual (speaking, reading, and writing) in English and Spanish
  • Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds, walking agricultural fields, and climbing on and off equipment
  • Valid driver’s license and a clean driving record

Preferred education and experience:

  • Report writing

Additional eligibility requirements:

  • Cannot be uncomfortable handling dead animals

Affirmative Action/EEO statement:

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer – The Company assures equal employment opportunity with respect to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, transfers, and promotions. All Company practices will be administered without regard to race, sex, pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth, age (40 and over), ancestry, color, religious creed (including religious dress and grooming practices), denial of FMLA leave, disability, marital status, medical condition (cancer and genetic characteristics), genetic information, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law in terms and conditions of employment. Information provided on this application will not be used for any discriminatory purpose.

Other duties:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Pay range:

$28.00-33.75 per hour