Job Role Summary

This position is responsible for examining and approving construction plans, renovation plans and equipment specifications or design for new or existing retail food establishments within Marion County.  Conducts plan review, preliminary inspections, and final inspections.  Approves licensing for retail food establishments that meet minimum requirements.

Associated Job Duties

• Reviews floor plans, equipment specifications and menus to prepare plan review statements for new or remodeled food establishments and shared kitchen users. 
• Conducts inspections of new or remodeled food establishments to finalize approval for their operation. Prioritizes workload and delegates work to other staff as necessary.
•  Provides guidance and assistance to other staff in licensing inspections and equipment approvals.  
• Provides clear and accurate technical reports of inspection outcomes, determines corrective actions, and discusses findings with food establishment representative.  
• Ensures compliance and performs follow-up inspections and initiates enforcement steps when necessary, including:  issuing civil penalties, license suspensions or filing for court.  Staff may be required to appear in court to provide testimony. 
• Provides information and consultation to retail food establishment owners, operators, equipment manufacturers or installers related to the licensing requirements and standards for food service and food sales operations in Marion County.
• Provides food safety education and supporting materials to food establishment’s owners, management and staff. Updates retail food establishment equipment licensing processes and application as needed. 
• Provides technical assistance to staff and industry on food service equipment and emerging food preparation trends.  
• Develops and updates written policies and procedures for retail food establishment licensing and equipment approval. 
• Perform retail food establishment inspections and temporary event inspections outside of regular working hours to meet district and departmental goals. 
• Responsible for covering primary on-call duties on a rotating basis.  Responsibilities include after hour response to fires, food transportation incidents, power outages and other emergencies.  
• Participates in public health emergency preparedness exercises and in the response to public health emergencies, as directed. 
• Participates in a minimum of two H.O.P.E. events totaling a minimum of eight (8) hours annually. 
• Other duties as assigned.
   

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required, with a concentration in Environmental Health, Microbiology, Food Science, or closely related science based curriculum preferred.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Valid Indiana Driver’s License and use of personal vehicle required.
• Experience as an Environmental Health Specialist or equivalent preferred.

Licenses/Certifications Required

Valid Indiana Driver’s License and use of personal vehicle required.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Meet departmental objectives and guidelines in accordance with the Food and Drug Administration Voluntary Retail Food Program Regulatory Standards (VNRFRPS).  Goals include pre and post education; field inspections objectives; continuing education and adherence to departmental policies.
• Extensive knowledge of local and national food codes.   Understanding of local and state building codes, alcohol licensing requirements and zoning requirements.
• Acts as a departmental subject matter expert for retail food equipment and licensing. 
• Collaborates with and shares data and licensing information with state and local government or regulatory officials.  
• Works with local, state and federal entities in research and approval process. 

Working Environment

• Considerable physical effort in walking, standing and bending during food establishment inspections.  Must carry and utilize computer tablet, printer and necessary equipment to effectively perform a food establishment inspection.
• Exposure to extreme heat and cold, excessive noise, and slippery and uneven walking surfaces during inspections.
• Requires working around machinery and equipment with moving parts or hot surfaces.
• Exposure to sanitizing and cleaning chemicals, steam, smoke, grease, strong odors and insects or vermin with food establishments.
• Steady use of hands and fingers; use of computer keyboard and monitor.
• Regular work outside regular business hours (evenings and weekends) as needed.
• Automobile driving for all field inspection duties, in varying weather conditions.
• Moderate light lifting.
• Occasional need to relate to members of the public who exhibit challenging, atypical, or hostile behaviors and/or communication.  Frequent work in high crime areas or in establishments under criminal investigation.