Food Inspector 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS) - Home Processor
1 day ago
Albany
Introduction Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and you’ll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York. Position Information The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a permanent Food Inspector 1 or Trainee to work within the division of Food Safety and Inspection’s Central Office in Albany, NY. The position will be responsible for processing Home Processor registrations and investigating consumer complaints made against home processors. This includes responding to questions from regulated establishments as well as the public, assisting in the administration of other food safety programs such as Home Processors, recalls, reviewing Food Lab sample results for violations and, where appropriate, processing penalties for certain violations. It will also assist the Division of Food Safety and Inspection in responding to questions from regulated establishments and the public. Other related duties that support the Zone Supervisors may also be assigned. The Food Inspector 1 or Trainee is a full‑time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday‑Friday. Salary The starting salary for the Food Inspector Trainee 1 is $53,764 per year, and the hiring salary for the PEF salary grade (SG) 14. This position requires the completion of a two‑year traineeship. After successful completion of the first year of the traineeship, the appointee will advance without further examination to the Trainee 2 level SG‑16 (starting salary of $59,994). Completion of the second year of the traineeship will result in permanent advancement to the Food Inspector 1, SG‑18 (starting salary of $66,951) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to the Trainee 2 or full performance level. For more information, see Advanced Placement below. The candidate appointed at the Food Inspector 1, SG‑18 level, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated "Satisfactory" or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employee's annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG‑18 job rate salary of $85,138 per year. Benefits This is a PEF‑represented position offering a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. You'll benefit from cost‑effective health insurance options, fully covered dental and vision care, participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan, and ample paid time off. Your first year includes 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays. Explore additional advantages with programs such as the Deferred Compensation Plan, Flex Spending Account, and NY's 529 College Savings Program. As a New York State employee, you could potentially qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). Qualifications NY HELPS Minimum Qualifications: Either 120 semester credit hours which MUST include 24 credit hours in chemistry, microbiology, food quality control, epidemiology, entomology, food technology, food science, food processing technology, food sanitation, dairy science, biology, environmental sanitation, environmental health, human physiology, genetics, animal science, nutrition/dietetics, or medical sciences. Or 60 semester credit hours which MUST include 24 credit hours in the same list and AND two years of experience where your primary responsibility is in the areas of environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments, or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility. Advanced Placement: If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additional one year of experience in which the primary responsibility involves the application of scientific techniques in the areas of environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility, you may be appointed to the Food Inspector Trainee 2. This will reduce the traineeship time by one year. If you meet the minimum qualifications and have an additional two years of experience in the areas listed above, you may be appointed to the full performance title, Food Inspector 1, Grade 18. You must inform the hiring agency of this additional experience at the time of interview. Examples of Acceptable Experience Environmental Health Technician Sanitarian for food business Food Inspector/Investigator Meat Inspector Quality Control Technician for a food processing plant or food warehouse Laboratory Technician with experience conducting analysis of food or dairy products Examples of Unacceptable Experience Food Service Worker Restaurant or Food Store Manager Chef Butcher Caterer Food Warehouse Foreperson Food Warehouse Management Food Comptroller Beverage Comptroller Food Production line worker Banquet Manager Steward Food Equipment Salesperson Food and Sanitation Equipment Salesperson Food Broker Pesticide Applicator NY HELPS Program This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected employees hired under NY HELPS will have their non‑competitive employment status converted to competitive status, without having to compete in an examination. Transfer and Reinstatement Qualifications Applicants may be appointed permanently if they have one year of permanent, competitive service in a title designated as appropriate for transfer under Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law. 57/55‑b/c Qualifications Applicants may be appointed permanently if they meet the qualifications described under the 55‑b/c categories. How to Apply Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment must use the link below to apply by July 18, 2026. Within this online application please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter. If you have any questions, please contact Amy Sacco in Human Resources at (518) 457‑3216 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov. Equal Opportunity Statement The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please visit https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information. #J-18808-Ljbffr