Food Inspector Salary Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Harvest Your Potential with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets! Join a team committed to cultivating a thriving food and agriculture industry that benefits everyone - from producers to consumers. At the Department, you'll find a dynamic environment where innovation, sustainability, and community engagement are paramount. Explore diverse opportunities, from environmental science to economic development, and discover your path to public service. Cultivate your professional and personal growth while making a tangible impact on a healthier, stronger New York. Plant the seeds for a rewarding career today!
Position Information:
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is seeking a permanent Food Inspector 2 to work within the division of Food Safety and Inspection's Central Office in Albany, NY. This position will lead the various licensing initiative within the Division, including all Food Licenses/Exemptions, Animal Food Licenses/registrations as well as the Home Processor License Exemption program. In addition, they will be the primary point of contact for Article 5A plan reviews and related questions in addition to animal food labeling reviews. Additional duties include interacting with the public regarding these programs, reviewing the status of the pending licenses and registrations, ensuring that supporting documents are maintained and updated when needed, and identifying and recommending areas for improvement to management. The Food Inspector 2 will also manage Food Inspector 1s. This includes direct, day-to-day supervision, review of all Unit activities and comparison to identified metrics, as well as the training and motivation of all staff assigned to these units.
The Food Inspector 2 is a full-time position working 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday.
Salary:
The Food Inspector 2 is in the PEF Salary Grade (SG) 23. The starting salary of the PEF SG-23 is $86,681/year.
The candidate appointed to the Food Inspector 2, SG-23, will be eligible to participate in the New York State Performance Evaluation Program. Through this program, employees receive yearly performance evaluations. Performance advances are payable to PEF employees whose base annual salary is below the job rate for their current position and who were rated "Satisfactory" or its equivalent on their yearly performance evaluation. Performance advance payments are added to an employee's annual salary. Over time, yearly performance advances may lead to the SG-23 job rate salary of $109,650/ year!
Benefits:
This is a PEF-represented position offering a comprehensive and valuable benefits package. You'll benefit from cost-effective health insurance options, fully covered dental and vision care, participation in the secure New York State Pension Plan, and ample paid time off. Your first year includes 5 personal days, 13 vacation days, 13 sick days, and 13 paid holidays - providing excellent work-life balance. Explore additional advantages with programs such as the Deferred Compensation Plan, Flex Spending Account, and NY's 529 College Savings Program. For comprehensive details on these programs, please visit the New York State Office of Employee Relations website.
As a New York State employee, you could potentially qualify to participate in the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)! The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on your direct student loans after you have made 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan and while working full-time for the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets or another eligible employer.
Minimum Qualifications:
Provisional Appointment: If there is no appropriate eligible list of at least three people willing to accept permanent appointment for this geographic location, the Department may nominate a qualified person for a provisional appointment under the provisions of Section 65 of the Civil Service Law.
Provisional Minimum Qualifications: One year of permanent, competitive service as a Food Inspector 1; AND Candidates must take the next scheduled Civil Service examination for this title, and your score must be reachable on the resulting eligible list before you can be permanently appointed. Candidates who do not pass the examination or achieve a reachable score may not be retained as a Food Inspector 2, SG-23.
Non-competitive Promotion: If there are three or fewer interested and qualified promotion candidates, the agency may at its discretion nominate a qualified employee for a non-competitive promotion under the provisions of Section 52.7 of the Civil Service Law.
Non-Competitive Promotion Minimum Qualifications: One year of permanent, competitive service as a Food Inspector 1.
Reinstatement Under Rule 5.4: Applicants may be appointed to this position permanently if they were previous permanent New York State employees who resigned their positions may be reinstated to their former positions, or to positions to which they were eligible for transfer or reassignment without further examination. Employees separated from their positions may be reinstated within one year of the date of their separation. Employees separated from their positions who have also been separated from state service for more than one year may be reinstated upon approval by the state Civil Service Commission.
Travel Requirements:
This position may require some travel. Appointees must either possess at the time of appointment and continuously thereafter a valid driver's license to operate a motor vehicle in New York State and have access to a motor vehicle when necessary or otherwise demonstrate their capacity to meet the regular transportation requirements in carrying out their field work responsibilities. Additionally, appointees may be required to travel out-of-state for overnight trips on occasion due to ongoing training commitments.
How to Apply:
Candidates that are eligible and interested in being considered for appointment to one of these opportunities must use the below link to apply by: July 24, 2026. Within this online application please upload your resume, transcript, and cover letter.
If you have any questions, please contact Amy Sacco in Human Resources at (518) 457-3216 or HarvestYourPotential@agriculture.ny.gov.
The Department is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity, and reasonable accommodations and/or modifications as necessary, for qualified persons with disabilities. If you are in need of a reasonable accommodation, please visit: https://agriculture.ny.gov/employment-information.