Dairy Plant Specialist - Southwest

Work for Indiana
Grow your career with the State of Indiana! With more than 50 executive branch agencies, the State of Indiana is a diverse workforce offering employees stimulating and challenging projects across a broad scope of career opportunities. As a State of Indiana employee, you impact the well-being of Indiana's communities every day.

At the State of Indiana, we don't just talk about diversity and inclusion - Our goal is to create a welcoming, accessible, and equitable workplace, with a workforce that is representative of the State of Indiana population. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

About the Board of Animal Health:

Animals have contributed a lot to Indiana's history, providing food, income, recreation, assistance and companionship to millions of Hoosiers everyday. State lawmakers recognized the value of those relationships in 1889, when they created the office of the State Veterinarian and the Livestock Sanitary Commission.

Today, that commission, now known as the Board of Animal Health (BOAH), operates under the direction of an 11-member Board of animal industry professionals who meet quarterly to set agency policy.

While the original mission to "prevent and suppress contagious and infectious diseases among the livestock," has not changed in over 100 years, the scope of BOAH's work has expanded:

• to enhance Indiana's economy by protecting Hoosiers' investment in animal agriculture, wildlife, horses and companion animals.
  
• to protect public health by preventing and controlling the spread of animal diseases, such as rabies, which pose a threat to people.
  
• to maintain a vital link in a safe food supply through the state meat and poultry and dairy inspection programs.
  
• to help people and their animals who are victims of large-scale disasters such as floods and tornadoes.
  

This position will conduct inspections in an area covering the Southwest portion of the State of Indiana, from Marion County to Vanderburgh County. You will work from home and a location central to the area is preferred (Owen, Monroe, Greene, Lawrence, or Davies Counties).

About the Job:
The Dairy Plant Specialist is responsible for determining whether dairy facilities, equipment and personnel are in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations regarding the production and processing of milk and dairy products.
A Day in the Life:
The essential functions of this role are as follows:

• Conducts milk sanitation inspections of milk production, processing, pasteurization, packaging, storing and distribution facilities, equipment and milk transports;
• Conducts inspections of facilities that manufacture single service containers and/or closures for milk products;
• Conducts inspections of non-municipal water supplies to include collecting and submitting water samples for chemical and biological testing;
• Collects and submits product samples from producers and processors as required for chemical and biological testing;
• Conducts re-inspections as required;
• Prepares technical reports of inspections, sending documented findings to agency headquarters and providing a copy of the report to site management;
• Reviews and evaluates Dairy Division documents, records and files for compliance with State law and specifically the requirements of the U. S. Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance;
• Reports to and consults with agency management on the results of the inspections, milk survey findings, certifications and approvals and makes recommendations for actions;
• Attends and participates in educational courses for the Dairy Industry and agency staff including on-site training;
• Accompanies the Indiana Milk Rating Officers and U.S. Food and Drug Administration Regional Milk Specialists on state and/or federal inspections of milk production, processing, pasteurization, packaging, storing, distribution and single service container/closure facilities;
• Investigates consumer complaints related to milk and milk products and assist in food product recalls;
• Investigates reported food poisonings and hazardous events such as fires, floods, damage by winds, chemical spills and other occurrences affecting milk and milk related supplies;
• Embargos milk and milk products when situations require the immediate removal of product from the market.

The job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time.
What You'll Need for Success:

• Typically a Bachelor Degree from an accredited university or college with a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours in biological science, chemistry, food science, nutrition, microbiology, agriculture, public administration, mathematics, engineering, environmental health, public health or a related field;
• Ability to possess and hold a valid Indiana Driver's license;
• Extensive knowledge of milk production, processing, pasteurization, packaging, storing and distribution requirements as described by the Code of Federal Regulations, Indiana Milk Laws and the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance;
• Extensive knowledge of Federal and State laws and regulations, including but not limited to the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance, Indiana Code 15-18 Dairy Products, 345 Indiana Administrative Code Article 8, Dairy Products, National Labeling Education Act and Good Manufacturing Practices;
• Extensive knowledge of food protection principles and practices, including bacteriology, microbiology, chemistry, food science, engineering and computer technology;
• Specialized knowledge of and the ability to operate testing equipment required in field of specialization, such as computer pasteurization controls, pasteurization holding time conductivity test, pressure differential controls and thermometer calibrations;
• Specialized knowledge of and the ability to review plans and other drawings of facility construction and layout, equipment and processing engineering and to make recommendations for needed changes;
• Specialized knowledge of inspection and investigation methods, procedures and techniques;
• Ability to observe, evaluate and recognize potential adverse sanitation conditions, record keeping processes or law violations and prepare reports documenting findings;
• Knowledge and ability to operate current technology including but not limited to personal computers, cell phones, test equipment;
• Effectively communicate, both orally and in writing.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Direct Reports: This role does not provide direct supervision to direct reports.

Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:

The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) and vision/dental coverages
• Wellness program (offers premiums discount for the medical plan)
• Health savings account (includes bi-weekly state contribution)
• Deferred compensation account (similar to 401k plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• Group life insurance
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Paid vacation, personal and sick time off
• Competitive leave policies covering a variety of employee needs
• 12 company paid holidays, 14 on election years
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• New Parent Leave
• Free Parking
• Free LinkedIn Learning

Equal Employment Opportunity:

The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer.