Handler Certification Specialist

CCOF is hiring a Handler Certification Specialist to provide technical services and certify organic handler operations and new applicants. The role reviews client updates and inspection reports, makes compliance decisions under USDA NOP and other organic standards, communicates requirements to clients, and maintains accurate database records.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical services to certified organic processor/handler clients, including review and communication of mid-year updates such as new labels, product formulations, ingredient suppliers, food additives, production methods, equipment sanitation procedures, facility pest control plans, audit trail documentation, etc., to certified operations
• Make autonomous or semi-autonomous decisions about client compliance with USDA NOP and other organic standards and communicate those decisions to clients
• Work on special projects as deemed necessary by Handler Certification Leadership (Team Leader, Supervisor, Manager, or Director of Handler Certification) or the Chief Certification Officer
• Maintain accurate client database records in CCOF's complex, proprietary database
• Provide technical assistance on regulatory topics to CCOF clients
• Provide clear and accessible written and verbal communication about the certification process and regulatory requirements to CCOF clients via email, letter, phone, and occasional virtual or in-person meetings
• Review of client updates and inspection reports in a timely manner by independently managing workload
• Make compliance decisions based on regulatory text and other resources, including technical support staff office hours
• Complete a quality and quantity of work on par with other Handler Certification Specialists of similar tenure
• Ensure that USDA NOP and other applicable standards and CCOF Quality System requirements are implemented
• Update and audit client database ensuring that client database records are consistent and current
• Attend recurring staff meetings and monitor internal communications to maintain updated knowledge of current topics, updates, and announcements
• Work on special projects as deemed necessary by the Director of Handler Certification

Preferred

• Completion of IOIA Organic Handler Inspector training or equivalent, including auditor training for food quality production systems
• Work experience with organic regulations or organic industry such as working in an organic food processing facility or at an organic certification agency
• Experience working with complex database programs (i.e. Intact Platform) including data analysis and reporting. Proficient in optimizing database performance and ensuring data integrity and security
• One or more years' experience in a professional office environment or quality assurance including responsibilities such as administrative support, process improvement, and maintaining compliance with organizational standards
• Experience working with environmental, quality assurance or food safety regulatory programs
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to CCOF's mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthy world
• Knowledge and commitment to the principles of anti-discrimination. A willingness to engage in discussions about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender and the ways our identities shape our workplace experiences
• Experience working remotely with in-office and remote teams
• One or more years' experience in a professional office environment or quality assurance including responsibilities such as administrative support, process improvement, and maintaining compliance with organizational standards.
• IOIA Handler Inspector Training
• Food Quality Systems Auditing
• Organic Regulations
• Organic Industry Experience
• Complex Database Management
• Intact Platform
• Data Analysis
• Data Reporting
• Database Performance Optimization
• Data Integrity
• Data Security
• Organizational Compliance
• Environmental Regulatory Programs
• Quality Assurance
• Food Safety Regulatory Programs
• Commitment to Organic Agriculture
• Anti-Discrimination Awareness
• Open Dialogue
• Remote Team Collaboration

Benefits

• United States-based remote position
• Superb health plans
• 401(k) program
• Generous sick/personal and vacation time

Company

• Nonprofit providing organic certification, advocacy, education, and grants.
• Santa Cruz, California, USA
• https://www.ccof.org/
• Founded in 1973
• 51-200 employees

Qualifications

• B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in food science, chemistry, or related field. Alternatively, at least three years' work experience in an applicable field will be considered in lieu of degree requirement
• Strong computer proficiency in Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, Power Point, Teams) and other relevant applications like database programs. Able to effectively manage emails and notifications, learn database programs, and maintain accurate database records
• Clear, direct, and concise written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work with various groups and demographics of people. Proficiency providing technical support and building trust through customer service. Capable of effectively conveying certification requirements to clients, ensuring standards are met, and addressing compliance issues with clarity and professionalism
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail by identifying and resolving errors, ensuring continuous improvement. Approaches mistakes as learning opportunities to enhance processes and outcomes, consistently leaving tasks and projects in better shape than they were found. Ability to organize, monitor, plan, and follow-through on tasks with competing deadlines. Efficiently manages a high volume of work while maintaining written/database records that may be audited. Balances and prioritizes tasks without sacrificing quality. Enjoys creating and maintaining systems to ensure data and tasks are well-organized and efficiently managed
• Ability to think critically, logically, quickly, and autonomously to propose solutions to problems. Skilled in using internal and external resources to independently find solutions to unfamiliar situations. Comfortable with navigating grey areas and asking for help when needed
• Actively contributes to the team to complete tasks, meet goals or manage projects. Actively listens to coworkers, respects ideas, and aims to improve processes at hand. Understands that their team's success is their own success, and they share responsibility when their team experiences difficulties along the way
• Completion of IOIA Organic Handler Inspector training or equivalent, including auditor training for food quality production systems
• Work experience with organic regulations or organic industry such as working in an organic food processing facility or at an organic certification agency
• Experience working with complex database programs (i.e. Intact Platform) including data analysis and reporting. Proficient in optimizing database performance and ensuring data integrity and security
• One or more years' experience in a professional office environment or quality assurance including responsibilities such as administrative support, process improvement, and maintaining compliance with organizational standards
• Experience working with environmental, quality assurance or food safety regulatory programs
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to CCOF's mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthy world
• Knowledge and commitment to the principles of anti-discrimination. A willingness to engage in discussions about race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, ability, or gender and the ways our identities shape our workplace experiences
• Experience working remotely with in-office and remote teams
• B.A. or B.S. degree or higher in food science, chemistry, or related field. Alternatively, at least three years' work experience in an applicable field will be considered in lieu of degree requirement.

Required skills

• Data Analysis and Reporting, Food Quality Production Systems Auditing, Food Safety Regulations, IOIA Organic Handler Inspector Training, Intact Platform, Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Outlook, Microsoft Office PowerPoint, Microsoft Office Teams, Microsoft Office Word, Organic Certification, Quality Assurance, USDA National Organic Program (NOP) Regulations

Preferred skills

• Experience working remotely with in-office and remote teams

Experience

• 3+ years