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Food Safety Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Food Runners will ensure proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success is the high standards we set on the health and safety of our team members and ...

Food Runners will ensure proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success is the high standards we set on the health and safety of our team members and ...

Food Runners will ensure proper food safety and sanitation standards are upheld for guest safety. One key to our success is the high standards we set on the health and safety of our team members and ...

The position ensures that ingredients, packaging materials, processing activities, sanitation practices, and production records comply with approved specifications, the facility's animal food safety ...

Food Runner

Washington, DC · On-site

$10.30/hr

... of service, a Food Runner will deliver an exceptionally distinctive dining experience by ... We are committed to the highest safety and sanitation practices, including team member wellness and ...

Showing results 21-40

Food Safety information

See Reston, VA salary details

$13

$19

$25

How much do food safety jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for food safety in Reston, VA is $19.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.49 and $20.77 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To excel in Food Safety, a strong understanding of food science, microbiology, and regulatory compliance is essential, often supported by a relevant degree or certification such as HACCP or ServSafe. Familiarity with food safety management systems, audit procedures, and laboratory testing tools is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and problem-solving are crucial soft skills for identifying risks and ensuring compliance. These competencies are vital to protect public health, maintain product quality, and meet industry standards.

What is food safety?

Food safety refers to the practices, procedures, and regulations in place to ensure that food is handled, prepared, and stored in ways that prevent foodborne illnesses and contamination. It encompasses everything from proper handwashing and cooking temperatures to food storage and sanitation. Professionals in food safety work to identify and control risks at every stage of the food supply chain, protecting consumers and meeting legal requirements. Effective food safety helps prevent outbreaks and maintains public confidence in the food supply.

What are some common challenges faced by food safety professionals when implementing new safety protocols in a food processing facility?

Food safety professionals often encounter challenges such as resistance to change from staff, ensuring consistent compliance with protocols, and staying updated with evolving regulations. Effective communication and training are essential to help team members understand the importance of new procedures and how they impact product quality and consumer safety. Collaboration with quality assurance, production, and management teams is also key to successful implementation. Addressing these challenges proactively helps maintain a safe environment and supports continuous improvement.

What is the difference between Food Safety vs Food Inspector?

AspectFood SafetyFood Inspector
CertificationsFood Safety certifications (e.g., ServSafe, HACCP)Food Safety certifications often required
Work EnvironmentFood production facilities, restaurants, retail storesRegulatory agencies, government inspections
Employer & IndustryFood industry, manufacturing, hospitalityGovernment agencies, health departments
Job FocusEnsuring compliance with safety standards, training staffInspecting facilities, enforcing regulations

Food Safety professionals focus on implementing safety protocols and training staff within the food industry, while Food Inspectors primarily conduct inspections to enforce regulations. Both roles require similar certifications and work environments, but their responsibilities differ in scope and authority.

Is food safety a good career?

Food safety is a vital field that involves inspecting and ensuring compliance with health regulations to prevent foodborne illnesses. Careers in food safety often require certifications such as ServSafe and involve working in environments like restaurants, manufacturing plants, or regulatory agencies. It offers stable employment opportunities with the potential for advancement and specialization.

What skills do you need to be a food safety specialist?

A food safety specialist needs strong knowledge of food safety regulations, attention to detail, and good communication skills. They often require certifications such as ServSafe or HACCP and familiarity with inspection tools and procedures. Analytical thinking and the ability to train others are also important in ensuring compliance and safety standards.

What are the qualifications to get a job in food safety?

The qualifications to get a job in food safety depends on the level of your position and where you are in your food safety career. Food safety coordinators typically need to have an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in food science or occupational health and safety. Managers and compliance officers usually need at least a bachelor’s degree and several years of experience in food safety and compliance. If you are bilingual in English and Spanish, you may qualify for more job opportunities because many food production workers speak Spanish as a first language. Other important skills include excellent interpersonal and communication abilities, attention to detail, and knowledge of how to safely manufacture food.

What are the most commonly searched types of Food Safety jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Food Safety jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Food Safety jobs in Reston, VA? For Food Safety jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Food Safety jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Food Safety jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Food Safety jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Food Safety job openings:
Infographic showing various Food Safety job openings in Reston, VA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,185 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Food Safety and Quality Assurance Technician

Sysco Corporation

Landover, MD • On-site

$20.85 - $22/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago


Sysco rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 321 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

122nd of 360 rated logistics


Job description

Company:
US1354 Buckhead Meat & Seafood Mid-Atlantic
Sales Territory:
None
Zip Code:
20785
Travel Percentage:
0
Compensation Range:
$20.85 - $22.00
The compensation range provided is in compliance with state specific laws. Factors that may be used to determine your actual rate of pay include your specific skills, years of experience and other factors.
BENEFITS INFORMATION:
For information on Sysco's Benefits, please visit https://SyscoBenefits.com
JOB SUMMARY
Monitor Food Safety & Quality Assurance (FSQA) support/evaluation programs and inspection/audit procedures to ensure compliance of products and processes to corporate and regulatory requirements at a Sysco Specialty Meat and/or Seafood Company.
RESPONSIBILITIES
  • Monitoring of FSQA programs including HACCP Program, sanitation standard operating procedures, pest control, good manufacturing practices, approved supplier program, foreign material control, plant sanitation, chemical control, product quality assurance, FSQA Customer complaints, food defense and security
  • Assist in Employee Training of FSQA Programs, Policies, and Procedures
  • Assist in Implementation of Independent FSQA Audit Program - SQF Audits
  • Assist when necessary for product evaluations, plant visits, and supplier/customer communication to assist other staff members. Assist as needed in any manner capable of during emergencies the plant President or GM (general manager) determines are paramount to the business.
  • Frequently interacts with the following: SSMC/SSSC Personnel, Operations, Sales, Transportation and Maintenance as well as Sysco Operating Companies, and supplier/customer personnel at the line level.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education
  • Formal job training in TQM principles, SPC, HACCP concepts, CFIA/FDA regulations would be beneficial.
  • Formal quality and sensory analysis training would be helpful.

Experience
  • One to 3 years of meat and/or seafood industry (as appropriate) experience at a federal CFIA/FDA meat and/or seafood processing plant (as appropriate).
  • Raw meat or seafood industry the only experience will be accepted instead of combined experience

Professional Skills
  • Demonstrate the ability to write reports, basic business correspondence, as well as to effectively present information and respond to questions from managers.
  • Demonstrate the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide into all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
  • Demonstrate the ability to define problems, collect data and establish facts.
  • Demonstrate the ability to interpret basic technical instructions.
  • Ability to use personal computer, lab equipment, food preparation equipment and office communication equipment.

Certifications, Licenses and/or Registrations
  • Valid driver's license.

Physical Demands
  • Regularly required to talk or hear.
  • Frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls.
  • Occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; reach with hands and arms; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.
  • Occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds.
  • Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
  • Plant audits and inspections may require lifting of products up to 100 pounds and inspection requires working in a production environment on a moving line, lifting cartons, and visual inspection.
  • Corrected vision required for sensory analysis to identify color, clarity.
  • Warehouse and plant audit also requires close and distance vision to judge GMPs; peripheral vision and depth perception mandatory for safety.

Work Environment
  • Frequently exposed to fumes or airborne particles.
  • Occasionally works near mechanical parts and in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, extreme cold, and risk of radiation.
  • The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and operating in a refrigerated environment is common.
  • Plant audits/inspections and working at remote in-transit processing facilities and Sysco Operating Companies contain both moderate/loud noise and exposure to fumes and mechanical hazards.

OVERVIEW:
Sysco is the global leader in foodservice distribution. With over 71,000 colleagues and a fleet of over 13,000 vehicles, Sysco operates approximately 333 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 700,000 customer locations.
We offer our colleagues the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization, and to serve others in a manner that exceeds their expectations. We're looking for talented, hard-working individuals to join our team. Come grow with us and let us show you why Sysco is at the heart of food and service.
AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.
We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.
This opportunity is available through Sysco Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates.

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