Food Safety Inspection Officer

POSITION: Food Safety Inspection Officer (FSIO)

DEPARTMENT: St. Joseph County Department of Health, Food Services and Pools Unit

WORK SCHEDULE: 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F

JOB CATEGORY: PAT (Professional, Administrative, Technological)

SALARY: Up to $57,330/yr.

STATUS: Full-Time

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt

DATES: July 13, 2026 - until filled

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Food Safety Inspection Officer for the St. Joseph County Department of Health (DoH), Food Services Unit, responsible for investigating food-related health complaints, conducting inspections of food establishments, and ensuring health codes are met.

Benefits  

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Incumbent is responsible for the proper completion of assigned tasks, with desired results clearly specified. Unusual situations or problems are discussed with the supervisor, and the incumbent is responsible for applying standard departmental practices and precedents to individual work assignments. Work product is periodically assessed for overall conformity with guidelines and standard departmental practices.

Qualifications

Inspects assigned retail food establishments according to risk-based schedule, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal food safety and sanitation regulations. 

Inspects, conducts closures, and investigates complaints of swimming pools and spas as required by local and state rules and ordinances. 

Inspects mobile railroad camps, Bed and Breakfast establishments, and temporary food vendors at scheduled events and celebrations.

Provides consultations and/or advises and instructs owners/operators and the public on proper procedures and practices concerning food safety and sanitation rules, codes, and requirements via phone, email, or in person. 

Conducts investigations as necessary in response to complaints and reports from the public. Prepares and files detailed records and reports of investigations and sends to establishments.

Discusses appropriate corrective action with Food Service Director and Assistant Director, which may include recommending closure of an establishment for non-compliance or a Health Officer hearing.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science, public health, or related field with two (2) years’ food industry experience. 

Possession of or ability to obtain Pool Operator certification, if also conducting pool and spa inspections.  

Ability to occasionally work extended hours, evenings, and/or weekends and travel out of town, including overnight, as needed. 

Responds to public health emergencies on a 24-hour basis. 

Possession of a valid driver’s license and demonstrated safe driving record.