STATEWIDE TRAVEL (INCLUDING NIGHTS, WEEKENDS, AND HOLIDAYS) FOR EXTENDED PERIODS MAY BE REQUIRED, INCLUDING FOR MEETINGS AND EVENTS AS WELL AS DURING AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE. THE SES SPECIALIST HAS A HOME OFFICE AND REGULAR TELEWORK IS PART OF THE INCUMBENT’S ONGOING REGULAR SCHEDULE IN ACCORDANCE WITH CDFA’S TELEWORK POLICY. PLEASE SEE THE DUTY STATEMENT FOR CDFA’S TELEWORK POLICY.

Under the general direction of the Environmental Program Manager I within MPES, the Senior Environmental Scientist (SES - Specialist) is responsible for complex scientific analysis and evaluation of regulatory operations and practices and industry proposals related to environmental health and food safety, including conformance with state governing meat and poultry products, with a focus on raw pet food safety. A full list of duties are listed within the duty statement:

Assume the role as the lead and subject matter expert (SME) for Raw Pet Food Safety by conducting an independent assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, procedural gaps, resource issues, or areas of nonconformance with existing regulations and national standards pertaining to raw pet food safety, and prepare concise summary reports for Branch management

• Ensure that the standardization of raw pet food safety goals within MPES aligns with the Food Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and collaborate with licensed pet food processors, pet food slaughterers and Pet food importers
• Conduct field visits throughout the state to help industry develop risk-based analysis for evaluation for approval on a variety of topics, including but not limited to new technology, processing methods, pathogen reduction equivalency, or sanitation protocols relating to food safety and public and environmental health protection
• Work closely with other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over pet food and with the Animal Health Branch veterinarians and epidemiologists on identifying and tracing potentially contaminated or adulterated raw pet food
• Represent MPES in various meetings with representatives from other States, industry stakeholders, other federal and state agencies, local governments and other entities having authority over pet food safety

• As the program lead and expert, attend and present at conferences and national meetings/events with other governmental agencies, industry representatives, university officials, and other stakeholders to address and anticipate new and emerging issues related to raw pet food safety

CANDIDATES MAY PERFORM THESE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS WITH OR WITHOUT REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.
Working Conditions
The duties of this position are conducted primarily in the field. The SES Specialist has a home office and regular telework is part of the incumbent’s ongoing regular schedule in accordance with CDFA’s Telework Policy. The incumbent must follow CDFA, Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies.
Travel (including nights, weekends, and holidays) for extended periods may be required for meetings and events as well as during an emergency response. Travel on short notice may be required upon activation for emergency response. During emergency response periods, duties may require working long shifts at hours other than the normal work hours. The SES Specialist frequently travels to licensed establishments throughout California to conduct critical investigations and reviews and to meet with plant owners and operators. Pet food licensed plants, meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments and other inspected facilities often have wet, slippery floors, are noisy, and present many potential hazards, such as moving equipment, heavy overhead structures, and knives. The SES Specialist often alternates between cold dry coolers, hot humid processing areas and whatever seasonal outside environmental conditions are present around inspected facilities.
The incumbent must follow CDFA, Division, and Branch employee health and safety policies.
Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Assume the role as the lead and subject matter expert (SME) for Raw Pet Food Safety by conducting an independent assessment of the strengths, weaknesses, procedural gaps, resource issues, or areas of nonconformance with existing regulations and national standards pertaining to raw pet food safety, and prepare concise summary reports for Branch management

• Ensure that the standardization of raw pet food safety goals within MPES aligns with the Food Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and collaborate with licensed pet food processors, pet food slaughterers and Pet food importers
• Conduct field visits throughout the state to help industry develop risk-based analysis for evaluation for approval on a variety of topics, including but not limited to new technology, processing methods, pathogen reduction equivalency, or sanitation protocols relating to food safety and public and environmental health protection
• Work closely with other regulatory agencies having jurisdiction over pet food and with the Animal Health Branch veterinarians and epidemiologists on identifying and tracing potentially contaminated or adulterated raw pet food
• Represent MPES in various meetings with representatives from other States, industry stakeholders, other federal and state agencies, local governments and other entities having authority over pet food safety
• As the program lead and expert, attend and present at conferences and national meetings/events with other governmental agencies, industry representatives, university officials, and other stakeholders to address and anticipate new and emerging issues related to raw pet food safet