Food Safety Inspector Is Needed In Ministry Of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Britain, ON

Complete job description
Are you looking for a career that will help keep Ontario’s food safe and ensure animal welfare through your knowledge of agriculture, food safety and regulatory compliance? Are you aware of food production practices and food safety hazards? The Food Safety Inspection Delivery Branch requires inspectors to ensure food safety and animal welfare by conducting regulatory compliance verification and providing professional advice and assistance on food safety practices.
The Food Safety Inspection Delivery Department ensures the safety of the variety of foods Ontarians enjoy: meat and livestock products, milk and milk products, fish, fruits, vegetables, maple products and honey by providing inspection services for their production, processing, marketing and distribution. We collaborate with colleague departments and agencies to establish food safety standards and work with other ministries and agencies to provide a robust and seamless food inspection environment from farm to fork in Ontario. As a Food Safety Inspector, you will be an integral part of a team that plays an important role in the daily lives of Ontarians by keeping their food safe.
Our newly appointed Food Safety Inspectors are given comprehensive training including 1:1 practical training with experienced inspectors. Training continues throughout your career and development and growth is supported and encouraged!

OPS’s commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and anti-racism:
We are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promoting a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested persons to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and Ethnic people, as well as people of diverse ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about OPS’s commitment to racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in public service.
We provide employment accommodations during the recruitment process and all aspects of employment in accordance with the requirements of Ontario’s Human Rights Code. See the “How to Apply” section if you need a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• In this role, you will help keep food and Ontarians safe by:
  Inspecting agricultural and food products for harvest and processing to support food security for Ontarians, including pre- and post-mortem assessment of livestock and carcasses
• Appraisal of recipes, formulations, production, processing, packaging, preservation and storage methods of food products
• Evaluating methods, programs and records for process control systems
• Identifying unacceptable food safety hazards or not complying with applicable regulatory requirements
• Collecting a variety of samples from agricultural or food products and processing environments to regularly test for biological, physical or chemical food safety hazards
• Preparing and maintaining reports for compliance verification activities
• Providing technical assistance to premises managers and other relevant parties (eg industry bodies and associations, equipment suppliers).
• Conduct field sampling and related reporting activities during emergency response and participate in regular emergency preparedness exercises and training

After joining the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) as a Food Safety Inspector you will work towards obtaining one or more of the required food safety inspection certificates issued by the Ministry. You may have the opportunity to explore further certifications based on the items that interest you.
How do I qualify?
Mandatory

• You must possess a valid Ontario Class “G” driver’s license or equivalent recognized by the Province of Ontario and have the ability to travel extensively
• You must be able to work in hot and cold working conditions

Technical Knowledge:

• You are aware of food safety hazards and risks.
• You have an understanding of food production and processing methods including raw materials, product formulations, food additives/ingredients and quality control methods and practices.
• You may interpret and apply laws, regulations and operational procedures, protocols, guidelines and procedures relating to food production.

Analytical and problem solving skills:
You:

• Apply knowledge of the principles and application of quality assurance systems such as Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP).
• Monitors quality of work against current inspection and compliance standards and procedures.
• Evaluate inspection and audit corrective action plans.
• Exercise judgment to identify and understand issues that arise during inspections.
• Assess stakeholder concerns/issues regarding defects, methods, practices, critical control points and risks.
• Applying an understanding of science-based risk assessment principles, developing contingency plans and identifying control measures.

Training Experience:

• You have an understanding of adult learning principles that help train and coach new staff, monitor progress and prepare written evaluations.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• You can develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external clients.
• You can reduce disputes and conflict situations when conflicts occur between clients’ perceived interests and inspection needs.
• You can provide information on results, application of law/regulations and technical advice.

Computer and Arithmetic Skills:

• You are proficient with computer software applications for locating, receiving, manipulating and storing data/information.
• You will have the arithmetic skills to perform calculations to verify the accuracy of records and compliance measures.