Job Description

Posting number: 2026-06938

Department: Dept. of Agriculture

Division: Food Safety and Consumer Services - Animal Feed

Job classification: MANAGEMENT ANALYST 3

Posting type: Open & Promotional

Categories: Clerical & Data Entry, Food Services, Agriculture, Animal Services, Nutrition, Research, Health Sciences, Green-Collar/Environmental

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation, and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes 780 employees approximately and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page

The Food Safety & Consumer Services (FSCS) Division is one of the seven divisions in the Washington State Department of Agriculture. The FSCS Division serves consumers and stakeholders in the state of Washington by assuring the availability, safety, and integrity of the state's human and animal food supply. The division is made up of approximately 100+ FTEs through five statewide programs, including: Animal Feed, FSCS Laboratory, Food Safety, Organic, and Produce Safety. We also house the Rapid Response Team that manages food and feed emergency responses.

The Opportunity

The Animal Feed Program (AFP) within the Food Safety & Consumer Services Division serves the people and animals of Washington and beyond by regulating the safety and integrity of animal food, to protect animal and public health and ensure market fairness. WSDA AFP regulates any entity that manufactures, transloads, processes, packs, or holds animal food in Washington State and any entity that distributes in or into Washington State or is a guarantor (responsible for) on the label of an animal food product. Therefore, regulation is not only statewide but nationally and internationally for those companies that do business in Washington. We license firms, register and review pet and specialty pet food products, collect tonnage information and fees, conduct field activities such as inspections, sampling, investigations, recalls and technical assistance and provide outreach and education. WSDA AFP has implemented and is maintaining the Animal Food Regulatory Program Standards (AFRPS), which is a set of eleven standards utilized to improve animal food regulatory programs as well as implement preventive controls regulatory activities, and to encourage domestic mutual reliance amongst animal food regulatory agencies and an integrated food safety system.

The Animal Food Safety Analyst will support animals, consumers, industry, and the program by analyzing animal food adulteration/outbreak data and peer reviewed scientific journals to develop and formulate recommendations and work products for industry best practices, resources, tools, trainings, outreach, and strategies to improve the awareness and education of animal food safety and integrity and the prevention of animal food adulteration and misbranding. This position will also coordinate animal food complaint investigations, compliance and enforcement, and will act as a backup field trainer and auditor. This position provides at least journey level analyses to management, staff, and customers. This position also provides consultation to resolve a variety of management issues.

Important Notes

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time project Management Analyst 3 position within the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. This position is located in Davenport, Washington. This is a non-represented position.

The base pay offered will take into account internal equity and may vary depending on the preferred candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The typical starting salary range for this position is: Range 54 Step A $61,332 - Step L $80,496 annually.

Examples of duties

What to Expect

Some of the various responsibilities within this role:

Research, analyze, develop and maintain procedures and resources related to animal food safety and integrity.

• Research for and identify, draft, and assist with the implementation and maintenance of policies, education, and tools that would increase prevention of animal food borne illness or deaths and misbranding.
• Coordinate and assist animal food inspectors and firms in conducting root cause analyses.
• Research peer reviewed scientific literature and identifies national or international safety or advisory limits.
• Compile data for species and life stage, type of product or ingredient, units of measure for contaminants, adulterants or nutritional levels for animal food.
• Review and analyze applicable laws, regulations, rules and existing policies and procedures to determine areas of improvement.
• Analyze, draft, and consult with partners and assist with the implementation and maintenance on biosecurity protocols and
  natural disaster impact prevention and resiliency.

Research, analyze, consult, develop and maintain procedures and resources related to AFP compliance and enforcement.

• Research similar compliance and enforcement programs of other internal programs and external animal feed programs through the
  AFRPS network.
• Draft improvements and needed procedures, instructions, templates, or resources.
• Assist the AFRPS Coordinator and other staff in their implementation and maintenance.
• Provide recommendations for program compliance and enforcement alignment and expansion.
• Provide consultation to AFP-Program Manager regarding areas requiring a meeting with assigned Assistant Attorney General
  (AAG) or during the Feed Advisory meetings. Reviews and may issue compliance or enforcement notices.
• Meet with regulated parties, review plans, implement actions, and maintain thorough documentation and organization.
• Help to ensure program-wide compliance and enforcement efforts are harmonized, fair, and are fully in compliance with laws, rules,
  policies, and procedures.

Coordinates animal food recalls and complaints.

• Prioritize and lead recall and complaint coordination for the AFP, working in harmony with field staff, management and all affected staff.
• Provide internal and external technical assistance for animal food recalls and internal technical assistance for animal food complaints.
• Update recall tool on agency website.
• Prepare, track, maintain, and ensure closure of animal food recall and complaint documentation.
• Plan, coordinate, and may complete recall effectiveness checks.
• Analyze, develop, maintain, and improve the AFP’s recall and complaint processes/procedures, templates, industry resources, and tools.
• Analyze complaints and recalls after closure, identifies, and implements improvement.
  

Qualifications

Who should apply?

Professionals with:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution involving major study in agriculture, animal science/nutrition, public or environmental health, food science or technology, public administration, business, law, or similar field OR related experience may substitute on a year for year basis
• Three (3) years of experience in the public health regulation or animal/human food, agriculture, or other related field/industry, conducting research, or analyzing policies, laws, rules or regulations
• Must have the ability to qualify for and obtain FDA Commissioning as required. FDA Commission qualifications (subject to change, discretion, and further inquiry by FDA):
  • Meets qualification for FSCS position duties.
  • Citizen of the United States of America.
  • No felonies/misdemeanors (excluding minor traffic offenses) or pending trials/investigations for such.
• Drivers License

Preferred/Desired Qualifications:

• Experience - knowledge Specialized knowledge of radiological, chemical, physical, and microbiological hazards in animal food
• Experience in building programs, systems and projects from scratch in pursuit of accomplishing long-term goals and continuous improvement.
• Experience with state/federal cooperative agreements, grants or contracts, successfully producing deliverables and reporting requirements.
• Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams successfully completed a goal.
• Experience researching peer reviewed literature and analyzing data.

Supplemental information

Employee Benefits

• A healthy work/life balance, which may include flexible work schedules, and teleworking.
• WSDA provides an excellent benefits package beyond traditional benefits. State employment offers Dependent Care Assistance, Flexible Spending Accounts, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, Tuition Waiver, Deferred Compensation, Employee Recognition Leave; click here for more information.
• 12 paid Holidays & Vacation and Leave Accruals.
• All Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required will be provided by the agency.
• Commute Trip Reduction Program.

For more information about the Washington State Department of Agriculture, visit us at www.agr.wa.gov

How to apply:

You must complete your careers.wa.gov profile and answer the supplemental questions. In addition to completing the online application, and supplemental questions applicants must attach the following documents to their profile to be considered for this position.

· A resume detailing experience and education

Applications with comments "see attachments" will be considered incomplete.

By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed.

The initial screening will be solely based on the contents and completeness of your application and the materials submitted. All information may be verified, and documentation may be required. Applications received via e-mail will not be accepted in lieu of applying through the state's on-line recruitment system.

Prior to a new appointment into the Department of Agriculture, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.

Work Authorization

• Candidates who are offered a job with WSDA must possess work authorization that does not require sponsorship by the employer for a visa now or in the future;
• WSDA complies with the employment eligibility verification requirements of the federal employment eligibility verification form, I-9. The selected candidate must be able to provide proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States consistent with the requirements of that form on the first day of employment.
• WSDA does not use E-Verify; therefore, we are not eligible to extend STEM-Optional Practice Training (OPT). For information, please visit www.uscis.gov
• Persons legally authorized to work in the U.S. under federal law, including Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients, are eligible for employment unless prohibited by other state or federal law.

Equity at WSDA

The Department of Agriculture recognizes, appreciates, supports, embraces, and respects all cultural identities and backgrounds while we collaborate in authentic ways. We hire amazing people that share in the commitment to our Pro-Equity Anti-Racist (PEAR) strategic plan, our Healthy Environment for All (HEAL) Act implementation plan, and our unique needs and desires for belonging, respect, and inclusion. We value the growth and development of our team members by providing equitable access to resources and opportunities for continuous learning, improvement, and advancement.

We strive to hire, cultivate, and retain a productive and dedicated workforce that reflects the communities we serve while we are committed to a workplace that celebrates our differences and supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Veteran's Preference: Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veteran's Preference MUST attach a copy of their DD214, or other verification of military service. Please blackout any personally identifiable data such as social security numbers. For additional information on Veteran's Preference and guidance on how to determine if you are eligible, click here.

Persons with a disability, who need assistance with their application or need this announcement in an alternative format, may call 664-1960 or toll free (877) 664-1960. TTY users should first call 711 to access the Washington Relay Service.

Contact Us

Should you have any questions regarding this position or the online application, contact the Human Resource Office at Recruitment@agr.wa.gov

If you are having technical difficulties creating, accessing, or completing your application, please call NEOGOV toll-free at (855) 524-5627 or email support@neogov.com

The Human Resources Division may use referrals from this recruitment to help fill future similar vacancies for up to six months.