Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Food Safety Inspector)

Initial Posting Date: 06/26/2026 Application Deadline: 07/12/2026 Agency: Department of Agriculture Salary Range: $5,714 - $8,764 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Food Safety Inspector) Job Description: The Oregon Department of Agriculture, Food Safety & Animal Health Program, is looking to hire a Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Food Safety Inspectors). What you’ll be doing: As a Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Food Safety Inspector), you will plan and perform inspections in food establishments. You will collect dairy, shellfish, and food samples, package test samples according to proper controls, ship or deliver to the Agency laboratory, and interpret lab results for compliance with state and federal standards. You will review and evaluate complex facility plans and applications for compliance with applicable State and Federal laws for food establishments. You will collect documents and facts, write- reports, assess effectiveness, observe reprocessing or destruction related to recalled products. The Natural Resource Specialist 3 (Food Safety Inspector) is a Permanent full-time position working in the Salem, Oregon area and is represented by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). The goal of this recruitment is to fill the position at a Natural Resources Specialist 3 level. However, we encourage candidates who meet the minimum qualifications for a Natural Resources Specialist 3 (Food Safety Trainee) to apply, as we may consider under filling these positions until the selected candidate meets the minimum qualifications for a Natural Resources Specialist 3. Under-fill training will not exceed two years. Click here to view a full description of this position. What we’re looking for: Natural Resource Specialist 3 (licensed as an Environmental Health Specialist) $5,714-$8,764 You must be licensed as an Environmental Health Specialist with the State of Oregon Environmental Health Registration Board. Requirements for admission to the Registered Environmental Sanitation Specialist examination and registration are: Bachelor's degree from a university or college with at least 45 quarter hours of science background in environmental sanitation and two years of experience in environmental health working under the supervision of an environmental health specialist, OR A graduate degree in community health or public health and one year of experience in environmental health working under the supervision of an environmental health specialist, OR Reciprocity: Bachelor's or graduate degree as noted above and affidavit of licensure demonstrating proof of current active registration with no current or pending disciplinary action. The registration must have been issued by a regulatory body of another state or a national association recognized by the board. Must have a current and valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record. Natural Resource Specialist 3 level (Food Safety Trainee): $5,456-$8,352 You must be eligible to register and obtain registration as an Environmental Health Trainee with the State of Oregon's Environmental Health Registration Board at time of hire. Please visit the Oregon Health Licensing website to determine your eligibility to become registered as an Environmental Health Specialist Trainee. Requirements for admission to the examination and registration for Registered Sanitarian Trainee are: Applicants who do not meet the work experience requirements but who meet the educational requirements may obtain a trainee license. Each combination of education and experience has a specific training period (as specified above). A trainee may take the written examination before completion of the required work experience but must take the Oregon Laws and Rules examination before a trainee registration will be issued. NOTE: To receive credit for Registered Environmental Sanitation License, a photocopy of the license is required to be attached. Prefer Skills Excellent attention to detail Ability to remain objective and analyze a problem from multiple angles before coming to a conclusion. Great communication skills including verbal communication with both technical and non-technical customers. Ability to build relationships with customers through intentional engagement. Dedication to professionalism Bilingual in Spanish Projected Recruitment Timeline Recruitment Closes: July 12, 2026 1st Round: July 20 – 24, 2026 2nd Round if needed: TBA *These dates are approximate and may change. * Approximate start date: ** We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the requested skills. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, please contact our human resources department to discuss your application. How to apply: Required: A cover letter & a resume are required and are an important part of the application process. All application materials are reviewed by Human Resources, the Hiring Manager, and panel members throughout the recruitment process. Your cover letter & resume are a key opportunity to speak directly to each decision-maker, highlight your skills and experience, and demonstrate how your qualifications align with the desired attributes for this role. Your cover letter must be no more than two pages. Upon submitting your application, please be sure to check your Workday account for additional tasks to complete such as questionnaires and to request veteran’s preferences (if applicable). Veterans: We value the dedication of Veterans and Oregon National Guard service members! Take advantage of Veterans’ Preference by submitting the required documentation at time of application. The requirements can be found on the Veterans' Resources page under “Qualifying for Veterans’ Preference.” Current state employees – please apply through your employee Workday account. Learn more about the Oregon Department of Agriculture: At the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA), ensure healthy natural resources, environment, and economy for Oregonians now and in the future through inspection and certification, regulation, and promotion of agriculture and food. The vision of the Oregon Department of Agriculture is to remain able to serve the changing needs of Oregon’s diverse agricultural and food sectors to maintain and enhance a healthy natural resource base and strong economy in rural and urban communities across the state. The Food Safety and Animal Health Program Area (FSAH) exists to support the Department of Agriculture's interrelated threefold mission: to provide consumer protection and food safety, to protect agricultural natural resources, and to provide agricultural market development. Specifically, FSAH has two principal purposes: 1) Food Safety is to assure Oregon citizens a safe, wholesome, properly labeled, and protected food supply. The Food Safety Program is responsible for administering ten separate statutes that regulate food, dairy, meat, and shellfish industries and their production and distribution. Staff inspect about 7,000 food establishments with over 12,000 licenses and sample food products throughout the state of Oregon. These establishments include bakeries, retail grocery stores, warehouses, food & dairy processing plants, beverage plants, dairy farms, meat operations, cannabis, eggs, pet food, shellfish growers & processors, and locker plants. 2) Animal Health programs include the Feed Program, which ensures the quality of all animal feeds marketed in Oregon through a rigorous testing program. Check out our video to learn more about us! What’s in it for you The State of Oregon offers a competitive and affordable health and benefits package, including excellent medical, vision and dental coverage, paid holidays off, and personal business leave, as well as paid and accrued vacation leave and sick leave. In addition to standard medical benefits and employee leave, the state also provides additional optional benefits, such as basic life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care and childcare expenses. More information is available from the Public Employees Benefit Board. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion are embedded in the Department of Agriculture core values. Employees at all levels of the agency work together to foster fairness, equity, inclusion, and belonging. The department strives to be a model employer committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job and that candidate may not meet every one of our listed preferred qualifications. Lived experience may count towards the desired attributes. If you are excited about this position, we encourage you to apply. If you are unsure as to whether you meet the minimum qualifications of this position, please contact our human resources department to discuss your application Additional Information: This position is represented by SEIU. Current state employees, please apply through your employee Workday account. Per the Pay Equity Law passed in 2017, an equal pay analysis will be conducted to determine the compensation of the successful candidate. The analysis will be based on the relevant experience, education, training, and certifications documented in the application materials. United States Employment Eligibility: The Oregon Department of Agriculture does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The Oregon Employment Department is an E-Verify employer. If you are the successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents (See page 3) for employment verification. This recruitment may be used to fill current and future Permanent, Limited Duration, Job Rotation and Temporary vacancies as they occur. Questions/Need Help? If you have questions about the recruitment or need an accommodation for the recruitment process, please email to: View email address on click.appcast.io or call View phone number on click.appcast.io. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon “flies with her own wings.”