Field Representative (Food Assistance Representative) - Region 6

If you possess expertise in food safety regulation, this opportunity could be an excellent fit for you! The Division of Food Safety is essential in safeguarding the health of both residents and visitors in Pennsylvania. This division oversees a vast network of food-related establishments, including thousands of restaurants, cafes, retail food outlets, and food production facilities throughout the state. Their primary mission is to ensure that these entities adhere to stringent food safety laws and regulations, thereby maintaining high standards of public health and safety. By joining this team, you would play a vital role in promoting compliance and protecting the well-being of the community.

In this position, you will develop and sustain a comprehensive understanding of relevant USDA and state regulations governing the programs managed by the Bureau. This knowledge is essential for effectively advising recipient agencies and vendors on program requirements and ensuring compliance. Additionally, you will need to grasp accounting and auditing procedures to provide guidance on program standards and assess adherence to these standards. A solid understanding of Foods and Chemistry regulations is also necessary to identify products that may be compromised and to recognize potential issues related to the storage and handling of food products at contract warehouses, distributors, and recipient agencies. When required, you will observe the disposal of any products deemed unfit for consumption. Regular evaluations of recipient agencies, warehouses, distributors, and processors contracted with the Bureau will be conducted to assess regulatory compliance. You will perform quarterly audits, as directed, of the supporting documentation for monthly inventory reports submitted by contract warehouses and distributors to aid in verification processes. Annual physical inventory counts and reconciliations of products stored at these facilities will also be part of your responsibilities. Furthermore, you will assist recipient agencies and vendors in addressing any programmatic or regulatory deficiencies and will support authorities in investigating incidents of theft, fraud, and misuse of government commodities. Your role will involve examining SFPP inventory and distribution records to ensure compliance with regulations, which includes reviewing invoices to confirm that state funds are exclusively used for purchasing nutritional foods in household-compatible sizes. You will also verify that all grant funds were utilized in accordance with program guidelines by examining checks and related invoices, tagging any assets acquired with SFPP funding. Lastly, compliance reviews of vendors participating in the FMNP will be conducted, which will involve addressing inquiries related to the program.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 7:30 AM to 3:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 30-minute lunch.
• Position will be home headquartered if applicant lives in one of the listed Region 6 counties. If applicant does not live in one of the the listed Region 6 counties, the assigned state vehicle must be parked in one of these counties and the work day will start at 8:00 AM at the location of the assigned state vehicle.
  • Region 6: Perry, Dauphin, Chester, Cumberland, Lebanon, Adams, York, Lancaster
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Three years of experience in public contact work, which included one year of verifying the accuracy of financial or transactional records; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training, which included one year of verifying the accuracy of financial or transactional records.

• This position requires possession of an active Pennsylvania non-commercial Class C driver's license or equivalent.

• You must be able to read and interpret federal and state laws/regulations/policies.
• You must be able to drive for prolonged periods of time, including in adverse weather conditions.
• You must utilize current technology to perform daily tasks.
• You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).