About the Department
The mission of the Louisiana Department of Health is to protect and promote health and to ensure access to medical, preventive, and rehabilitative services for all residents of the State of Louisiana.
Learn more about Louisiana Department of Health
Drive food safety excellence across an entire state. In this dynamic role, you’ll lead the standardization and re-standardization of sanitarians in alignment with FDA and Louisiana code, ensuring consistent, high-quality inspections that protect public health. You’ll manage critical data systems, oversee certification programs, collaborate with statewide partners like the Department of Education, and serve as a trusted expert for regulatory guidance. From auditing training programs to shaping policy and supporting disaster response, this position offers variety, impact, and visibility—perfect for a detail-oriented professional ready to influence food safety at scale.
Position Duties
Possession of a current Louisiana Sanitarian's license plus one of the following:
Four years of experience as a sanitarian; OR
A master's degree in public health, food science, dairy science, environmental or sanitary science, or one of the physical or biological sciences plus three years of experience as a sanitarian.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Positions in the Molluscan Shellfish program require that applicants complete the Louisiana Boating Education program and be certified by the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.
Minimum Qualifications
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Other Qualifications
Job Duties:
- Conducts standardization and re-standardization of parish and regional sanitarians statewide in accordance with Federal FDA and Louisiana Sanitary Code requirements, ensuring compliance every three years.
- Maintains and manages computerized records for the Retail Food Program and Food Safety Certification Program, including report generation and data tracking.
- Reviews and processes applications for certification programs, including instructors, proctors, and new program eligibility, while monitoring certificate issuance.
- Coordinates and administers the Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) contract in partnership with the Louisiana Department of Education, serving as liaison and primary contact for program stakeholders.
- Provides technical consultation and guidance to sanitarians statewide on retail food regulations, inspection processes, and use of electronic inspection tools.
- Develops, updates, and delivers training materials and presentations related to retail food safety and certification programs for internal staff and external partners.
- Supports program operations through policy research, rulemaking assistance, legislative support, special projects, and participation in emergency and disaster response activities.
Position-Specific Details:
Location: Office of Pubic Health / Bureau of Sanitarian Services / East Baton Rouge Parish
Appointment Type: This position may be filled as a Probationary or a Promotional appointment
Cost Center: 3262207521
Position Number(s): 184541
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
To apply for this vacancy, click on the “Apply” link above and complete an electronic application, which can be used for this vacancy as well as future job opportunities. Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
* Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
For information on how to check your application status and understand status updates, please click HERE.
Contact Information:
Paul Tran
Paul.Tran3@la.gov
LA Department of Health (LDH)
Division of Human Resources
PO Box 4818
Baton Rouge, LA 70821
225-342-6477
This organization participates in E-verify, and for more information on E-verify, please contact DHS at 1-888-464-4218.
LDH supports Louisiana’s commitment to being a State as a Model Employer (SAME) by promoting the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
Information on the Louisiana Works, Louisiana Rehabilitation Services is available here.
LDH is an equal opportunity employer and seeks to recruit a highly productive and diverse workforce and will provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and prospective employees. Employment decisions shall be based strictly on merit and without regard to religious or political beliefs, sex, race, or any other non-merit factor.
