Overview
The Food Safety Trainer coordinates work by Regional Trainers for Food Safety to provide local health authorities (LHAs) with trainings related to food safety, food establishment inspections, and existing or emerging food-related contaminants that impact retail food establishments (RFEs). This position reports to the Senior Trainer for Food Safety in Food Protection Program (FPP) in the Bureau of Environmental Health within the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) and will work closely with the DPH Office of Local and Regional Health (OLRH).
The Food Safety Trainer will provide oversight support to OLRH contracted Regional Trainers providing training on food safety in 10 Regional Field Training Hubs created by OLRH to enhance the local health authority training infrastructure. Trainings provided by these Hubs will increase the skills and competency of LHAs in accordance with the Blueprint for Public Health Excellence which is available online here. Food safety trainings will include, but not be limited to, inspecting RFEs in accordance with the Massachusetts Retail Food Code (105 CMR 590.000), the FDA Food Code, and the FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards).
The Trainer and the Regional Field Training Model will ensure a standard response to meeting the regulatory requirements for Food Safety and increase local health authority’s ability to meet the Performance Standards and especially the workforce standards. The Trainer position is critical in providing relevant and robust workforce training infrastructure reinforced by a local health authority specific OLRH workforce development strategy of increasing access and delivery of relevant and timely training programs, services, and resources to meet the diverse and dynamic competency needs of the local health authority workforce.
Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):
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Prepare and/or review trainings on the Massachusetts Retail Food Code (105 CMR 590.000), the FDA Food Code, and the FDA Voluntary National Retail Food Regulatory Program Standards (Retail Program Standards). Including providing training support to MAPHIT Food, as assigned by the FPP Deputy Director and Supervising Trainer for Food Safety.
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Review and evaluate Retail Program Standards self-assessment and verification audit forms, and risk-based inspection scheduled submitted to the Department under 105 CMR 590.008(H). Perform calculations such as those related to risk-based inspection scheduling of retail food establishments (RFEs) and staffing levels (FTE to inspection ratios).
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Draft guidance documents for sample collection, field investigations, tracebacks, and trace forwards of food implicated in an illness, injury, outbreak or found to contain a hazard in RFEs. Prepare and/or review trainings for the inspection of proposed and existing RFEs which are licensed and inspected by local health authorities.
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Perform analysis of the impacts of retail food safety training on the state food supply and public health. Conduct field visits and surveys of proposed and existing locations for one-on-one trainings.
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Respond to all-hazards emergencies, and food-borne illness investigations. Inform employees and others of emerging contaminants, including the presence and properties of contaminants in food. Assist in setting standards and drafting guidance to increase regulatory oversight and investigate outbreaks at RFEs.
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Review and approve training plans for LHAs. Train Regional Trainers for Food Safety on the areas above, as applicable.
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In coordination and as assigned by the Supervising Trainer for Food Safety, meets with the OLRH Director of Workforce Development to report on training completions, participant feedback, and to assist the Director of Workforce Development in the assessment of regional training hub model.
Required Qualifications:
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Knowledge of the methods of general and technical report writing.
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Knowledge of the methods used in the preparation of charts, graphs and tables.
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Ability to write concisely, express thoughts clearly and to develop ideas in a logical sequence.
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Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of environmental science data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
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Skill in the use of computers in data base compilation and environmental monitoring.
Preferred Qualifications:
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Six to ten years-experience working with the Food Code enforcement.
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Knowledge of training methods and techniques such as on-the-job training, lecture, workshop, conference, case study, role playing, programmed instruction, demonstration, and simulation.
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Experience working with the local and regional public health workforce, especially inspectional staff.
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Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to maintain accurate records and manage multiple responsibilities in a rapidly evolving environment.
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Demonstrated commitment to establishing supportive working relationships through effective, communication, and the ability to engage with and value the input of diverse stakeholders.
Working Conditions:
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Position will work indoors and will be required to travel for job-related purposes.
About the Department of Public Health:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high-quality public health and healthcare services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.
We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious diseases, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.
DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.
More information can be found at: MA Department of Public Health
Pre-Hire Process:
A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.
Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.
If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form
For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #2
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis of the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
Comprehensive Benefits
When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.
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