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Food Safety Inspector Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Part-Time Loader

Lanham, MD · On-site

$16 - $19.50/hr

... food safety and workplace safety procedures. Responsibilities: • Load pallets, boxes, and other ... and inspect shipments for visible damage, quality concerns, or loading discrepancies prior to ...

Performs several daily inspections and audits to ensure contractual and regulatory compliance ... The ability to discern between a food safety and/or food quality observation that affects the ...

New

... safety, and occupational health support; food services; motorpool and logistics operations; and physical and technical security services. As the Bio-Retention Pond Inspector , you will support ...

... safety, and occupational health support; food services; motorpool and logistics operations; and physical and technical security services. As the Bio-Retention Pond Inspector , you will support ...

Sanitor I

Lanham, MD · On-site

$18 - $22.25/hr

Support compliance with GMP, HACCP, food safety, and regulatory sanitation requirements. Inspect work areas to identify sanitation concerns, equipment issues, or safety hazards and communicate ...

Showing results 41-60

Food Safety Inspector information

See Reston, VA salary details

$37.5K

$53.5K

$80.1K

How much do food safety inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for food safety inspector in Reston, VA is $53,531.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,600.00 and $62,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a food safety inspector?

Food Safety Inspectors are professionals responsible for ensuring that food products are safe, properly labeled, and comply with local, state, and federal regulations. They inspect food processing facilities, restaurants, and other food establishments to check for cleanliness, proper food handling, and storage practices. These inspectors also investigate complaints, collect samples for laboratory analysis, and educate food workers about safety standards. Their work helps protect public health by reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses.

What are some common challenges food safety inspectors face during inspections, and how are they addressed?

Food Safety Inspectors often encounter challenges such as non-compliance with regulations, resistance from facility staff, and time constraints when covering multiple locations. To address these issues, inspectors rely on strong communication skills to educate and collaborate with facility personnel, thorough documentation practices, and staying up-to-date with evolving food safety standards. Building rapport with businesses and maintaining professionalism helps foster cooperation and ensures that public health remains the top priority.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a food safety inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Food Safety Inspector, you need a background in food science, microbiology, or a related field, often supported by relevant certifications and regulatory knowledge. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory equipment, and reporting systems like HACCP is crucial. Attention to detail, strong communication, and integrity are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure thorough inspections, regulatory compliance, and the protection of public health.

What is the difference between Food Safety Inspector vs Food Quality Auditor?

AspectFood Safety InspectorFood Quality Auditor
CertificationsFood Safety Certifications (e.g., ServSafe, HACCP)Quality Management Certifications (e.g., ISO 9001, HACCP)
Work EnvironmentInspecting food production facilities, restaurants, and processing plantsAuditing food manufacturing processes, quality systems, and compliance
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, food production companiesFood manufacturing, certification bodies, consulting firms
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles in food safety enforcementAssessing food quality standards and compliance

The Food Safety Inspector primarily focuses on ensuring food safety compliance through inspections, while the Food Quality Auditor emphasizes evaluating and maintaining food quality standards. Both roles require similar certifications and often work within the food industry, but their core responsibilities differ in scope and focus.

How do you become a food safety inspector?

To become a food safety inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, with some positions requiring postsecondary education in food science, microbiology, or a related field. Relevant experience in food production or safety, along with certifications such as ServSafe or other food safety certifications, can improve job prospects. Inspectors often need to pass a state or federal exam and may be required to complete on-the-job training or specialized courses.

How hard is it to be a food safety inspector?

Becoming a food safety inspector requires completing relevant education, such as a high school diploma or higher, and obtaining certifications like the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification. The job involves inspecting food establishments, enforcing safety regulations, and often requires attention to detail, good communication skills, and the ability to handle sometimes challenging environments. The difficulty varies based on experience, training, and the complexity of inspections, but it generally involves a combination of education, certification, and on-the-job training.

How much do food safety inspectors make in the US?

Food safety inspectors in the US typically earn a median annual salary of around $45,000 to $55,000, with experienced inspectors and those in certain regions earning higher wages. Salaries can vary based on location, level of experience, certifications, and the employing agency, and inspectors often work in government agencies or private companies ensuring compliance with safety standards.

What are popular job titles related to Food Safety Inspector jobs in Reston, VA?

For Food Safety Inspector jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Food Safety Inspector jobs in Reston, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Food Safety Inspector jobs in Reston, VA are:

What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Food Safety Inspector jobs?

Cities near Reston, VA with the most Food Safety Inspector job openings:

Infographic showing various Food Safety Inspector job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,531 per year, or $25.7 per hour.

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist

Dover Corporation

Arlington, VA • On-site

$80 - $100/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist the Safety Manager in promoting a safety culture, policies, procedures, and safety work practices.

  • Conduct safety inspections, site audits, and evaluate hazardous conditions to ensure compliance and improve safety.

  • Lead safety-related programs, including accident and injury data analysis, safety orientations, and safety committees.


Dover Corporation rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Select how often (in days) to receive an alert:

Environmental Health & Safety (EHS) Specialist

Location:

South Chesterfield, VA, US, 23834

Work Arrangement: Onsite

Dover Food Retail (DFR) is a leading manufacturer of Display Cases, Specialty Products, Refrigeration Systems, Power Systems and Comprehensive Services; and leading our industry by Innovating What’s Next in glass doors and intelligent merchandising technologies that keep food safe under brands such as HillPhoenix and Anthony.

DFR is part of the Refrigeration and Food Equipment segment of the Dover Corporation® (NYSE: DOV). Dover is a diversified global manufacturer with annual revenues in excess of $7 billion.

DFR is built on creativity and customer-centric innovation delivered by people invigorated by a strong sense of responsibility to help our customers win in their marketplaces. The relationships we build with our customers are as important to our success as the products we manufacture. This collaborative environment delivers FRESH THINKING, reassuring our customers that they choose the best when they choose to work with the people of Dover Food Retail.

Job Title: EHS Specialist

What we are looking for:

We are looking for an Environmental Health & Safety Specialist that will assist the Safety Manager with the responsibility of promoting a safety culture and policies, procedures, and safety work practices. This position will provide support for the Richmond, Va. operations. Ensure compliance with all applicable federal and state health & safety laws. The Environmental Health & Safety Specialist is accountable to coordinate and monitor programs to meet or exceed all company and regulatory requirements for employee health and safety.

  • Ensure effective, consistent implementation of Health and Safety policies and programs by influencing leadership teams and other stakeholders.
  • Audit sites for compliance with Health & Safety programs and process
  • Lead accident and injury data, to identify the needs for new or modified occupational safety programs.
  • Conduct periodic safety inspections of all worksites to identify and correct unsafe conditions and unsafe acts and document the results.
  • Perform safety orientations for employees and subcontractors.
  • Technical resource for day-to-day operations, while monitoring safe practices and PPE compliance.
  • Conducts site audits to ensure site compliance with the organization's safety programs
  • Evaluates hazardous conditions, unsafe acts, and near hits and makes adjustments to improve the safety of the work environment
  • Deliver and track completion of annual training requirements
  • Lead Safety and Improvement Committees
  • Proactively identify and resolve potential safety issues that could lead to injuries

Qualifications/Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree in environmental health and safety or equivalent level of experience
  • 3+ years of experience in an Environmental, Health and Safety role
  • Previous experience working with safety programs in a manufacturing environment preferred
  • Proficient in OSHA and EPA regulations

Desired Characteristics:

  • Certified Safety Professional (CSP) preferred.
  • Behavior Based Safety experience
  • Demonstrated leadership, coaching, and facilitation skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to partner with employees at all levels of an organization.
  • Ability to interface effectively with all levels within the organization
  • Demonstrated ability to manage competing priorities in fast-paced and rapidly changing environment

How We Define Our Values and Why You Should Join Our Team:

The backbone behind our collection of outstanding businesses is a team of dedicated employees who protect and enhance our valued reputation for quality and delivering what we promise. It’s our values that define Dover to all of our key audiences: our shareholders, customers, prospective employees and especially to ourselves.

These values must be expressed in our work and embody our actions, as they form the basis by which we do our jobs, make decisions and measure our performance. It’s our unwavering commitment to maintaining our values that defines who we are as a Company.

  • Winning Through Customers
  • Respects and Values People
  • Expectations for Results
  • High Ethical Standards, Openness, and Trust

What’s in it for you?

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • 401k Retirement Plan
  • Flexible Spending
  • Paid Holidays
  • The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified . Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

Dover Food Retail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based onrace, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.

We consider several job-related, non-discriminatory factors when determining the pay rate for a position, including, but not limited to, the position’s responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, a candidate’s education/training, the position’s location, and the key skills needed for the position. Pay is one of the Total Rewards that we provide to compensate and recognize employees for their work.

Benefits: Benefits for this position include: a 401(k) savings plan with employer contributions; medical, dental and vision insurance; wellness programs; health savings account, health care and dependent care flexible spending accounts; company paid short-term disability and long-term disability; company paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance; supplemental employee and dependent life insurance; optional accident, hospital indemnity and critical illness insurance; adoption, surrogacy, and fertility benefits and assistance; commuter benefits; parental, military, jury duty, and bereavement leaves of absence; paid time off, including ; business travel services; employee discounts; and an employee assistance program that includes company paid counseling sessions and legal services. Eligibility for benefits is governed by applicable plan documents and policies.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, they do not establish a contract for employment and are subject to change at the discretion of the Company.

Dover Food Retail is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, age, genetic information, or any other factors prohibited by law.

Attention Applicants: If you are an individual with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to complete any part of the application process, please let us know. Likewise, if you are limited in the ability to access or use this online application process and need an alternative method for applying, we will determine an alternate way for you to apply. Please contactBOT@doverfoodretail.com for assistance with an accommodation. Kindly specify Job Requisition Number / Job Title and Location in response.

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