STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Consumer Protection Inspector (Food)

Recruitment #210503-2206AR-001

Introduction



The mission of the State of Connecticut, Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) is to ensure a fair and equitable marketplace as well as safe products and services for consumers in the industries that it regulates

DCP's Food and Standards Division has a current opportunity for a Consumer Protection Inspector (Food). This position will be required to inspect all commercial food products to ensure that they are free from contaminants, properly labeled, and to record observations and initiate corrective actions. They will also be expected to observe the processes of handling, preparing, and storing food to make sure that it is safe and within legal codes, identify unsafe practices, and educate manufactures and distributors on current health and legal concerns. The incumbent may have to deal with such locations having varying extremes in temperature and potentially uncomfortable conditions.

This position is primarily a field position based at 450 Columbus Blvd., Hartford CT.

It is a full time, 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday position, however, must be flexible to meet the needs of the agency.

Selection Plan

All applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies.

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error. 

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency. 

Should you have questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Raisa Capellan at raisa.capellan@ct.gov

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Consumer Protection, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in conducting inspections to assess compliance with relevant state and federal laws and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Inspects premises, vehicles, equipment, products, processors and distributors of food and food products to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations and standards to include Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HAACP) evaluations; inspects products for adulteration, correctness of weight and accurate, honest labeling and advertising; investigates complaints including those regarding fraud and misrepresentation in sale of foods purporting to be produced or sold under a recognized certifying organization such as but not limited to kosher, hallal or organic; secures samples for analysis and testing; testifies at hearings and in court; gathers information and writes reports; may inspect and test commercial scales; may assist in training of new inspectors; may speak before the public as assigned; may assist in performing inspections in other regulated areas in emergency situations; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of food processing, production, marketing and distribution; knowledge of food sanitation and bacteriology; knowledge of personal hygiene as related to food production; knowledge of relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations; knowledge of inspection and investigation methods and techniques; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of experience in the inspection and enforcement of food laws and regulations OR production and distribution of food OR food bacteriology research OR quality control of food.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  2. A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Bachelors/Masters Degree in Public Health, Agriculture or Food Science;
  • Experience applying Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) principles;
  • Experience with food safety and inspection practices;
  • Experience performing food and document sample collection.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Incumbents in this class may be required to lift heavy objects such as cases of food, bags of flour or cartons of manufactured goods, exposed to moderately disagreeable conditions and required to work in tiring positions.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.