Entry Level Food Industry Maintenance Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $25.03 - $42.18 Hourly
Location : Various, MI
Job Type: Permanent Full Time
Job Number: 7901-26-HFD-013
Department: Agriculture and Rural Development
Opening Date: 07/31/2026
Closing Date: 8/12/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Bargaining Unit: SCIENTIFIC AND ENGINEERING (SEIU)
Job Description
Food and Agriculture is one of the largest industries in Michigan. Grow with us and make a difference!
About this Position:
The Human Food Division of MDARD has a mission to protect public health by ensuring a safe and wholesome food supply, while working to maintain a viable food industry. Food safety is the division's top priority. The Food Safety Inspector (Food Industry Field Scientist) is a field-based position that performs food safety regulatory inspections and related work within an assigned work area. This position requires the incumbent to live in Van Buren, Allegan, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ionia, or Ottawa County or within 15 minutes OR be willing to re-locate to this area within 10 months of hire.
Click to learn more about becoming an MDARD Food Inspector:
Job Summary:
The purpose of the Food Safety Inspector's (Food Industry Field Scientist) job is to serve the people of the State by assuring them safe, high quality food products. Under direct supervision, this position ensures the safety of the food supply and economic welfare of the people of Michigan by: Inspecting food processing plants, bakeries, retail stores and warehouses for compliance with state laws and regulations related to sanitation, construction and adulteration of food; investigating foodborne illnesses and other consumer complaints and, by enforcing rules related to the packaging and labeling of food products.
This field-based position functions from a home workstation and is required to follow established standard operating procedures and meet quantity, quality and timeliness standards for assigned work.
The ideal candidate will possess and be able to demonstrate key position-critical skills and abilities, including: enhanced observation, listening, and communication skills; the ability to project confidence; the ability to utilize and implement sound decision-making skills; the ability to prioritize risk; the ability and/or developing ability to handle conflict-type situations effectively; and, a professional demeanor and composure in all situations.
About MDARD:
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is comprised of four Bureaus that use a customer-driven, solution-oriented approach to cultivate and expand new economic opportunities for the food and agricultural sector; safeguard the public's food supply; inspect and enforce sound animal health practices; control and eradicate plant pests and diseases threatening the $125.8 billion food and agriculture system; preserve the environment by which the farming community makes their living and feeds consumers; and protect consumers by enforcing laws relating to weights and measures.
MDARD is committed to a department-wide diversity, equity, and inclusion program that builds upon our values and invests in our employees. We provide an inclusive culture through involvement and empowerment, where the inherent worth and dignity of all people are recognized.
The State of Michigan offers a competitive benefits package for all career employees that include medical, dental and vision coverage, along with paid parental leave, flexible spending accounts, retirement and much more. Click the following link to learn more:
Required Education and Experience
Education
Possession of a bachelor's degree in animal science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental health, food science/technology, microbiology, toxicology, veterinary science, or a related field including 10 semester (15 term) credits in a combination of biology and/or chemistry courses.
Experience
Food Industry Field Scientist 9
No specific type or amount is required.
Food Industry Field Scientist 10
One year of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist, including one year equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist 9.
Food Industry Field Scientist P11
Two years of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist, including one year equivalent to a Food Industry Field Scientist 10.
Additional Requirements and Information
Please attach a cover letter, resume and official college transcripts to your application. For our purposes, "Official Transcripts" must contain the college/university name and address, the degree conferred and date granted, coursework completed (especially if no degree granted), and the Registrar's signature and/or seal.
Information provided in your application, resume, cover letter, transcripts, and any other documentation provided will be used to verify responses to the supplemental questions. Unsupported responses may not be considered further.
Your application for any position does not guarantee that you will be contacted by the Department/Agency for further consideration. Only those applicants interviewed will be notified of the results.
Accommodations
If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the application or selection processes, please contact the for the agency that posted this position vacancy.
State employment also offers rewarding careers where you can help Michiganders enjoy better lives. Many State of Michigan jobs offer alternate work schedules and remote-work options that can help give the flexibility you need. The State of Michigan has been recognized as a leading U.S. employer by new graduates from 2021-2023 and a best large U.S. and state employer. Recognized on the international stage for fostering positive employee engagement, the State of Michigan is a past recipient of a North America Government Agency Employees Engagement Award.
More details on benefits for our new hires are below:
Rewarding Work: State of Michigan jobs allow you to serve Michiganders in many different ways depending on your interests and skills. Help preserve and protect our environment and the public health; enforce state laws and regulations; advocate for children, families, and victims of discrimination; support our state's military and veterans; rebuild our state's infrastructure; or support other state agencies through our fiscal, IT, and HR systems.
Insurance Benefits: The State of Michigan offers health, mental health, dental, and vision insurance to eligible career employees, their spouses, and their children. The state also covers a life-insurance benefit of two times employees' annual salary (up to $200,000). The state also offers long-term-disability insurance that can provide continuing benefits if an injury or illness prevents employees from working. More information is available at www.mi.gov/employeebenefits.
Retirement Programs: The State of Michigan offers 401(k) and 457 plans for new hires to save for retirement. The state will automatically contribute an amount equal to 4% of your pay to a 401(k) account. The state will also match up to 5% of your pay if you contribute to your 401(k) account. Your contributions vest immediately, and the state's contributions fully vest after just 4 years. More information is available at http://www.mi.gov/orsstatedc.
Vacation and Sick Leave: Eligible full-time employees receive between 15 and 35 personal days and 13 sick days per year that may be rolled over to the following year if not used. Eligible employees also receive an additional day each year for community service or school functions.
Paid Parental Leave: Eligible employees can take 12 weeks of paid leave immediately after a birth or adoption to allow needed time together at home with a new child.
Paid Holidays: Eligible employees receive 13 or 14 paid holidays each year including New Year's Eve and Day, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, the Fourth of July, Labor Day, Election Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and Day.
Bonus Programs: Eligible employees with five years of service also receive annual longevity bonuses that grow as seniority increases. Some positions also may qualify for recruitment, retention, and performance bonuses or other special pay premiums.
Military Pay Differential: Employees in the guard or reserves may also qualify for supplemental pay benefits if miliary pay during qualifying duty is less than normal state pay. Prior military service may also allow seniority credits to accelerate eligibility for longevity bonuses and additional personal leave accrual.
Tax-Advantaged Programs: In addition to 401(k) and 457 retirement accounts, the state also offers flexible spending account (FSA), health savings account (HSA), and qualified transportation fringe benefit (QTFB) programs that can help you save money by reducing your taxable income.
Student Loan Forgiveness: Working for the State of Michigan may allow you to participate in programs that forgive the balance of qualifying student loans. Please view Student Loan Information to help determine if you could qualify is available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Tuition Reduction: Some colleges and universities offer savings to eligible employees and family members to further their education while working for the State of Michigan.
Professional Development: To help develop your career, programs are available to apply for reimbursement of up to $2,000 a year for education and training for college course credits and non-degree programs.
Alternative and Remote Work Schedules: Depending on the nature of their duties, many state jobs offer flexible work schedules and remote or hybrid telecommuting options that can help obtain the work-life balance that you seek.
Great Lakes and Great Times: Michigan boasts four Great Lakes, 11,000 inland lakes, 36,000 miles of rivers and streams, 20 million acres of forests, 100 state and national parks and recreation areas, 1,300 miles of bike trails, 6,500 miles of snowmobile trails, the second-most ski areas in the nation, 650 public golf courses, 600 campgrounds, and an international dark-sky park-just for starters. Our cities offer concerts and cultural events, storied sports teams, education hubs, vibrant downtowns, one-of-a-kind craft beverages, and renowned restaurants for every appetite. From urban centers to beach towns to the great outdoors, the opportunities are endless. With your state salary and benefits and Michigan's affordable cost of living, you can explore all that Michigan has to offer.
Updated: 2/28/24
01
FDISCI - Do you possess a bachelor's degree or higher in animal science, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, environmental health, food science/technology, microbiology, toxicology, veterinary science, or a related field including 10 semester (15 term) credits in a combination of biology and/or chemistry courses? If so, please attach a copy of your official college transcripts.

• Yes
• No

02
FDISCI - Please select your level of experience:

• None to one year of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products.
• One to two years of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products.
• Two to three years of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products.
• Three or more years of professional experience in the enforcement of laws pertaining to the production, transportation, and storage of food products.

03
Do you currently live in Van Buren, Allegan, Kalamazoo, Kent, Ionia, or Ottawa County or within 15 minutes OR be willing to re-locate to this area within 10 months of hire?

• Yes
• No

04
Please describe any food industry work experience you may have including the following areas, if applicable: food production, processing, preparation, handling, transportation, storage, and sale of foods and beverages; quality assessment; enforcement of laws, regulations, or quality program requirements, etc. Applicants who possess related work experience should be specific as to dates of experience and how their past experience is equivalent to the duties of a Food Industry Field Scientist classification. If you do not possess this type of experience, please type N/A.
05
Did you attach a cover letter, resume, and official transcripts (reflecting required Bachelor's Degree and 10 semester/15 terms credits in a combination of biology and/or chemistry courses) to your application? (Failure to do so may result in your application being screened out.)

• Yes
• No

06
QOL - Are you scheduled to receive the required degree requirements as listed above, by the end of the current academic term/semester?

• Yes
• No

07
Are you currently a Bureau of Food Safety and Animal Health employee?

• Yes
• No

Required Question