Administrative Intern

Apply early! This position is open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled for the week of February
20
, 2026. In order to be considered, please submit your application on or before February 19
, 2026. The agency reserves the right to make a hire any time after the initial screening date.

AGRICULTURE - A Cornerstone of Washington's Economy. The Washington State Department of Agriculture has been serving the state for more than 100 years. Through service, regulation and advocacy, we keep agriculture viable and vital in Washington State, while protecting consumers, public health, and the environment. We work extensively with farmers and ranchers, but our responsibilities – from ensuring food safety to environmental protection – touch the lives of millions of people locally, nationally, and abroad.

The agency includes approximately 780 employees and grows close to 1,000 employees at the peak of seasonal work. To learn more and view additional openings, please visit our Employment Page.

The Food Safety Program performs a variety of public health investigations in cooperation with county, state health and federal food agencies to protect public health. Our dual mission is to protect and reduce the risk to public health by assuring the safety of the State's food supply while facilitating the movement of Washington agricultural products in domestic and international markets. We do this by:

• Inspecting and analyzing food products and food processing and handling; inspecting food storage establishments and practices.
• Inspecting dairy farms and plants.
• Inspecting eggs for quality and weight standards, set and enforce sanitary standards for egg graders.
• Inspecting custom farm slaughterers and custom meat facilities.
• Licensing dairy technicians.
• Issuing Export Certificates of Sanitation and Free Sale for food products manufactured in Washington State.
• Issuing licensing for Direct Sellers.
• Issuing voluntary Hemp Extract Facility Certification.

Food businesses operating in the State of Washington that process and/or warehouse manufactured food products for distribution in commerce and resale by other food businesses must follow safe food handling and/or processing practices to protect the public from illness or injury caused by food consumed. Washington State laws, Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations adopted by WSDA, and WSDA regulations detail the specific food safety requirements.

The vast majority of manufactured food firms licensed by WSDA successfully implement the required practices and maintain substantial compliance for operating in Washington State. Food Safety Compliance Specialists conduct food safety inspections of food facilities to verify the firm is operating in substantial compliance with the required laws and regulations.

Administrative Intern 2 is designed to provide college students, recent graduates, or transitioning service members with an indoctrination into employment with the State of Washington. This position will be trained in specific tasks and departmental procedures as it relates to food safety inspections and the collection of samples to protect the public from unsafe or adulterated food by evaluating conformance with applicable state and federal laws and regulations.

This position assists with food safety inspections in facilities that process or hold food products including but not limited to food processors, dairy farms, dairy plants, produce farms, custom meat facilities and trucks, egg handling facilities, poultry processors, food warehouses, marijuana-infused edible processors and other food handlers, as needed. This position also supports program goals by assisting with food safety projects aiming to create positive impacts for stakeholders and the agency.

WSDA is recruiting for a full-time non-permanent Administrative Intern 2 position within the Food Safety Program in the Food Safety and Consumer Services Division. The position has been approved for up to 12 weeks of work. This position is approved for a home duty station within Thurston, Pierce,…