Food & Drug Protection Division Director

Class Concept

This is professional, administrative, and technical work in directing the regulatory, service, and analytical programs of the Food and Drug Protection Division within the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Position directs and coordinates the work of an administrative staff in the registration and inspection programs for foods, drugs, dairy products, medical devices, cosmetics, commercial animal feeds and pet foods, antifreezes, and pesticides. Position directs and coordinates the work of a large staff of chemists and technicians in performing a wide variety of physical, chemical, and microbiological analyses to verify the guaranteed composition of these products. Work includes ensuring the development, maintenance, and administration of all laboratory programs and divisional policies and procedures. Position has considerable contact with technical and administrative industry officials to explain their product, composition, labeling, and registration obligations under state statutes and in prosecuting violations of the law.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of the compositions, processing, technology, equipment, packaging, storage and transportation of foods, drugs, dairy products, cosmetics, commercial animal feeds and pet foods, antifreezes, and pesticides.
• Thorough knowledge of the theoretical principles of analytical chemistry. Considerable knowledge of physics, microbiology, and statistics.
• Ability to organize, direct, and coordinate administratively and technically the operation of a large inspection and registration program for commercial products and a large analytical laboratory.
• Ability to interpret and relate analytical results on major or unique violation cases to the regulatory program under departmental administrative policies and procedures.
• Ability to effect and maintain cooperative working relationships with industry officials and private producers or manufacturers, and the public.

Minimum Education and Experience

Master's degree in chemistry or a closely related curriculum from an appropriately accredited institution and eight years of related work experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.