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Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
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POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR JOB POSTING |
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Position Number: 50518210 |
Description Activated On: 5/8/2025 11:07:11 AM |
Position Purpose: Describe the primary purpose of this position and how it contributes to the organization’s objectives. Example: Provides clerical and office support within the Division to ensure its operations are conducted efficiently and effectively. Within the Bureau of Food Safety & Laboratory Services, the Manufactured Food Program Specialist assists with the management and execution of the Food Establishment Registration Program under Title 3 of the Consolidated Statutes, Chapter 57, Section 5721-5737. (3C.S.A. §§5721-5737) and Federal Food Safety Modernization Act as it relates to manufacturing, storage, distribution, and other wholesale food establishments. This position supports the development, planning, and evaluation of the Food Safety Act requirements on food establishments throughout Pennsylvania. The Program Specialist develops training and certification protocols for inspectors. This position also assists with the management and implementation of the FDA Contract for performing manufactured food inspections. Position warrants limited overnight out-of-state travel for participation in trainings and/or conferences. Frequency of overnight in-state travel is dependent upon the location of the incumbent’s headquarter office (combined travel estimate: 25-40%). Position has no direct reports; but heavily influences the work of others and reports to the Bureau’s Chief of Policy & Programs. Position is eligible for remote/telework according to policy and as business needs permit. |
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Description of Duties: Describe in detail the duties and responsibilities assigned to this position. Descriptions should include the major end result of the task. Example: Types correspondence, reports, and other various documents from handwritten drafts for review and signature of the supervisor. 1. Drive continuous improvement of the manufactured food program through development and preparation of regulations, policies, procedures, forms, performance standards, training materials, and strategic plans. 2. Maintain database accuracy to track status, evaluation history, schedule, and report compliance of manufactured food facilities to FDA according to the requirements of the MFRPS and FDA Cooperative Agreement. 3. Using the proper forms and methods as prescribed by the cooperative agreement program with FDA and MFRPS ensure uniformity of on-site inspections of all types of Food Manufacturing, Limited Food Processing, Meat & Poultry Processing, Food Storage & Distribution, and other Wholesale Establishments, compute an enforcement score, discuss findings [with the Bureau’s Field Operations Division, operator and/or regulatory agencies], initiate enforcement action (as necessary), and prepare and submit written reports as required. 4. Assist regional supervisors and Division Chiefs in making decisions on assigned program areas. Review and prepare civil penalties, warning letters, and other enforcement actions, as necessary when requested by Division Chiefs. 5. Obtain and maintain technical certifications as required to function as a MFRPS coordinator competent to perform work including PCFH, acidified foods, seafood and juice HACCP inspections. Maintain knowledge of other Federal FSMA requirements as applicable to the manufactured food program. 6. Assist with coordination and management of the Food Establishment inspection and other activities conducted under contract with FDA. Activities may include planning work assignments, review of contract requirements, training and assistance to regional supervisors and field staff, review of inspections conducted, and submission of inspection reports. 7. Obtain and maintain FDA certification as a qualified auditor for FDA contract inspections which entails training, auditing, and assisting regional field staff supervisors with quality reviews of inspections conducted and submission of inspection reports. 8. Consult with FDA, regulatory agencies of other states, and/or Bureau executive staff to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures related to manufactured foods for department staff and county and local health jurisdictions as appropriate. 9. Assist in the planning and coordination of staff participation in conferences, seminars, workshops, and related divisional training activities. 10. Represent Bureau at events and conferences at the national, state, and local level including the annual MFRPA and other conferences as determined by bureau leadership. Communicate Bureau status and position and report relevant meeting content to Bureau leadership personnel. 11. Coordinate the Bureau's participation in the federal Manufactured Food Regulatory Programs Standards (MFRPS). Evaluate the Food Establishment Registration program activities against the standard, make recommendations for improvement, develop and maintain an ongoing strategic improvement plan, participate in federal audits of the program, and other federal requirements related to participation in MFRPS. 12. Serve as the program manager / co-PI (Principal Investigator) for the MFRPS flexible funding grant. Write and / or assist in the preparation of grant applications, budget management, progress reports and other applicable grant forms to support adherence with MFRPS requirements. 13. Assist with alignment of the MFRPS protocols and activities to ensuring uniformity and efficiency with the protocols and activities of the Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (VNRFRPS) and Produce Regulatory Program Standards (PRPS). 14. Develop, implement and/or provide training related to the manufactured food program for food inspectors, industry/stakeholders, and community organizations. 15. Maintain liaisons with other food program regulatory agencies such as the PA Dept of Health, PA Dept of Environmental Protection, other state agencies, FDA, USDA, and related industry organizations such as PA Certified Organic, PA Candy Manufacturers Association, PA Meat Processors Association, etc. 16. Assist in the development of interdepartmental, interagency and interstate food protection agreements with other governmental bodies and agencies. 17. Conduct Food Establishment Program audits and evaluations for program effectiveness, efficiency, uniformity and conformance with MFRPS. Report deficiencies or unsatisfactory performance to the Bureau Management. 18. Perform auditing / standardization activities with Supervisors and field staff as necessary to ensure an ample number of inspectors and qualified auditors across program specialists and in alignment with program standards. 19. Obtain and maintain comprehensive understanding of the bureau’s enterprise management and electronic inspection system. Serve in an Administrator capacity for system use related to manufactured food inspection, enforcement, and permitting. 20. Assist with development and maintenance of the Bureau's public facing website and the internal Food Safety Division Policy and Procedures Controlled Document / SOP library, while maintaining uniformity and coordination across the programs overseen. 21. Participate in the Bureau’s "after hours" emergency call rotation for food safety incidents such as truck accidents, fires, flooding, and similar. Assess the situation, determine necessary measures, to include whether an immediate Inspector response is required, and deploy/activate resources accordingly. 22. Obtain and maintain an understanding of the National Incident Management System (NIMS), Incident Command System (ICS) management process to direct information flow and coordinate activities associated with a food safety or other incident. Be able to serve role as assigned in an ICS incident response. 23. Assist and support multi-agency investigations [PA Dept. of Health, PEMA, CDC, DEP, and other Federal, State, Local Agencies] related to food contamination incidents when requested. Assist with food recalls including trace-back and trace-forward exercises as required. 24. Leverage Bureau’s “Results PA” Performance Management System and key performance indicators to drive continuous improvement and enhanced customer service. 25. Utilize LEAN principles to streamline regulatory functions to better meet customers’ and regulated entities’ needs and improve bureau efficiency while safeguarding public health. 26. Performs other duties as assigned. |
Decision Making: Describe the types of decisions made by the incumbent of this position and the types of decisions referred to others. Identify the problems or issues that can be resolved at the level of this position, versus those that must be referred to the supervisor. Example: In response to a customer inquiry, this work involves researching the status of an activity and preparing a formal response for the supervisor’s signature. The Program Specialist position requires independent decision making with limited supervisory oversight. Decision making is based on established Bureau and Departmental goals, mandates, and Standard Operating Procedures. Supervisory input on specific mandates and tasks when necessary, or at the request of the specialist. Interpretation for field inspectors, supervisors, legislators, and the public regarding Pennsylvania Food Safety Act, Regulations and Administrative procedures and Policies regarding food production, transportation, processing, and distribution. Review inspection reports conducted by PDA Food Inspectors pursuant to the requirements of the MFRPS to conduct program audits, enhance uniformity, support compliance and enforcement, and maintain conformance with the MFRPS. Prioritization of competing tasks and resource allocation (including budget spend). Apply critical thinking to analyze inspection activities and program data and supply written proposals for program improvements to management. Identify performance gaps to develop/improve written guidance documents, procedural documents, training materials. Interpret comments and assist with drafting responses to all comments in the rulemaking process. Recommend and advocate for changes in policies, procedures, budget requests and program service activities related to food production, transportation, processing and distribution. Testify on behalf of the Commonwealth in legal proceedings regarding results of analysis and / or lab evaluations. |
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Requirements Profile: Identify any specific experience or requirements, such as a licensure, registration, or certification, which may be necessary to perform the functions of the position. Position-specific requirements should be consistent with a Special Requirement or other criteria identified in the classification specification covering this position. Example: Experience using Java; Professional Engineer License Experience: 1. Obtain and maintain FDA commissioning to complete FDA contract work 2. Holding a Real ID driver’s license (or alternative such as Passport or Military ID) Licenses, registrations, or certifications: 1. Class C Driver's License 2. N/A 3. N/A 4. N/A 5. N/A 6. N/A |
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Essential Functions: Provide a list of essential functions for this position. Example: Transports boxes weighing up to 60 pounds.
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