NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets
Food Inspector 1 or Trainee (NY HELPS) - Home Processor
NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, Albany, New York, United States
Overview
Harvest your potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join our team and become an integral part of a team dedicated to fostering a competitive food and agriculture industry that benefits both producers and consumers alike. Here, you can cultivate your career in a dynamic environment that values innovation, sustainability, and community engagement. With a wide range of opportunities spanning from environmental science to economic development, you can find your niche in public service and grow both professionally and personally. Embrace the chance to join our team, and you’ll not only reap a fulfilling career but also sow the seeds for a healthier, stronger New York.
Position Information The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a permanent Food Inspector 1 or Trainee to work within the division of Food Safety and Inspection’s Central Office. This position will be responsible for processing Home Processor registrations and investigating consumer complaints made against home processors. This includes responding to questions from regulated establishments as well as the public, assisting in the administration of other food safety programs such as Home Processors, recalls, reviewing Food Lab sample results for violations and, where appropriate, processing penalties for certain violations. The position will also assist with Halal and Kosher registrations as needed. It will also assist the Division of Food Safety and Inspection in responding to questions from regulated establishments as well as the public. Other related duties that support the Zone Supervisors may also be assigned.
Work Schedule and Location The Food Inspector 1 or Trainee is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. The position will be based in our Albany office located at 10B Airline Dr., Albany, NY 12235. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
Salary and Advancement Salary:
The starting salary for the Food Inspector Trainee 1 is $53,764/year, at the PEF salary grade (SG) 14. This position requires the completion of a two-year traineeship. Upon successful completion of the first year, the appointee advances to Trainee 2 level SG-16 (starting salary $59,994). Completion of the second year advances to Food Inspector 1, SG-18 (starting salary $66,951) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to Trainee 2 or full performance level. See Advanced Placement below for details.
Full title:
Food Inspector 1 position is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 18 with starting salary $66,951/year. Eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program; performance advances may raise salary toward SG-18 level, up to $85,138/year over time.
Benefits Benefits:
This is a PEF-represented position with health insurance options, free dental and vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, and generous paid time off. Within the first year, eligible for 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays. Eligible for Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) in some circumstances.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS Qualifications:
Either 1) 120 semester credit hours including 24 credit hours in chemistry, microbiology, food quality control, epidemiology, entomology, food technology, food science, food processing technology, food sanitation, dairy science, biology, environmental sanitation, environmental health, human physiology, genetics, animal science, nutrition/dietetics, or medical sciences; or 2) 60 semester credit hours including 24 credit hours in the listed fields and two years of experience in environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility.
Advanced Placement:
One additional year of relevant experience may place you in Food Inspector Trainee 2, reducing traineeship time by one year; two additional years may lead to full Food Inspector 1, SG-18. Inform the hiring agency of this at interview.
Examples of Experience:
Acceptable: Environmental Health Technician, Sanitarian for food business, Food Inspector/Investigator, Meat Inspector, Quality Control Technician for a food processing plant or food warehouse, Laboratory Technician with food/dairy analysis. Unacceptable: Food Service Worker, Restaurant or Food Store Manager, Chef, Butcher, Caterer, etc.
Other Qualifications NY HELPS Program:
Title may be filled via non-competitive appointment during NY HELPS; at future date, status may convert to competitive status.
Transfer/Alternate Minimum Qualifications:
Various transfer and reinstatement pathways are described, including 70.1 Transfer qualifications and additional options for reinstatement and 55-b/c qualifications. See the original posting for full details.
Travel Requirements These positions require extensive travel. Appointees must possess a valid NYS driver’s license and have access to a motor vehicle, or demonstrate capacity to meet regular transportation requirements. May require overnight out-of-state travel occasionally for training.
How to Apply How to Apply:
Eligible candidates should apply by October 16, 2025 via the provided link, uploading resume, transcript, and cover letter. For questions, contact Amy Sacco in Human Resources at (518) 457-3216 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov.
Equal Opportunity The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are provided as needed. For accommodations, visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.
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Position Information The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a permanent Food Inspector 1 or Trainee to work within the division of Food Safety and Inspection’s Central Office. This position will be responsible for processing Home Processor registrations and investigating consumer complaints made against home processors. This includes responding to questions from regulated establishments as well as the public, assisting in the administration of other food safety programs such as Home Processors, recalls, reviewing Food Lab sample results for violations and, where appropriate, processing penalties for certain violations. The position will also assist with Halal and Kosher registrations as needed. It will also assist the Division of Food Safety and Inspection in responding to questions from regulated establishments as well as the public. Other related duties that support the Zone Supervisors may also be assigned.
Work Schedule and Location The Food Inspector 1 or Trainee is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. The position will be based in our Albany office located at 10B Airline Dr., Albany, NY 12235. Opportunities for telecommuting may be available in accordance with the agency’s Telecommuting Program Guidelines.
Salary and Advancement Salary:
The starting salary for the Food Inspector Trainee 1 is $53,764/year, at the PEF salary grade (SG) 14. This position requires the completion of a two-year traineeship. Upon successful completion of the first year, the appointee advances to Trainee 2 level SG-16 (starting salary $59,994). Completion of the second year advances to Food Inspector 1, SG-18 (starting salary $66,951) without further examination. Candidates may be eligible for appointment directly to Trainee 2 or full performance level. See Advanced Placement below for details.
Full title:
Food Inspector 1 position is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 18 with starting salary $66,951/year. Eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program; performance advances may raise salary toward SG-18 level, up to $85,138/year over time.
Benefits Benefits:
This is a PEF-represented position with health insurance options, free dental and vision coverage, NYS Pension Plan membership, and generous paid time off. Within the first year, eligible for 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays. Eligible for Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) in some circumstances.
Minimum Qualifications NY HELPS Qualifications:
Either 1) 120 semester credit hours including 24 credit hours in chemistry, microbiology, food quality control, epidemiology, entomology, food technology, food science, food processing technology, food sanitation, dairy science, biology, environmental sanitation, environmental health, human physiology, genetics, animal science, nutrition/dietetics, or medical sciences; or 2) 60 semester credit hours including 24 credit hours in the listed fields and two years of experience in environmental health protection and sanitation of food establishments or quality control of food products at a wholesale food manufacturing facility.
Advanced Placement:
One additional year of relevant experience may place you in Food Inspector Trainee 2, reducing traineeship time by one year; two additional years may lead to full Food Inspector 1, SG-18. Inform the hiring agency of this at interview.
Examples of Experience:
Acceptable: Environmental Health Technician, Sanitarian for food business, Food Inspector/Investigator, Meat Inspector, Quality Control Technician for a food processing plant or food warehouse, Laboratory Technician with food/dairy analysis. Unacceptable: Food Service Worker, Restaurant or Food Store Manager, Chef, Butcher, Caterer, etc.
Other Qualifications NY HELPS Program:
Title may be filled via non-competitive appointment during NY HELPS; at future date, status may convert to competitive status.
Transfer/Alternate Minimum Qualifications:
Various transfer and reinstatement pathways are described, including 70.1 Transfer qualifications and additional options for reinstatement and 55-b/c qualifications. See the original posting for full details.
Travel Requirements These positions require extensive travel. Appointees must possess a valid NYS driver’s license and have access to a motor vehicle, or demonstrate capacity to meet regular transportation requirements. May require overnight out-of-state travel occasionally for training.
How to Apply How to Apply:
Eligible candidates should apply by October 16, 2025 via the provided link, uploading resume, transcript, and cover letter. For questions, contact Amy Sacco in Human Resources at (518) 457-3216 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov.
Equal Opportunity The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Reasonable accommodations are provided as needed. For accommodations, visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.
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