Handler Certification Specialist - Bilingual

Who we are: CCOF advances organic agriculture for a healthy world. We advocate on behalf of our members for organic policies, support the growth of organic through education and grants, and provide organic certification that is personal and accessible.

CCOF is a nonprofit organization governed by the people who grow and make our food. Founded in California 50 years ago, our roots now span the breadth of North America, and our presence is internationally recognized. We are supported by an organic family of farmers, ranchers, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers. Together, we work to realize a future where organic is the norm.

Position Summary:  

CCOF is expanding our Handler Certification team! We are seeking a Handler Certification Specialist who will provide bilingual (English/Spanish) technical services to certified organic Handler operations and new applicants ensuring all clients have fair and equal access to the certification process. 

If you have regulatory compliance and/or food industry experience and a passion for our mission to advance organic agriculture for a healthier world, we encourage you to apply. As a Handler Certification Specialist, you’ll play a key role in ensuring the organic integrity of products in the marketplace. 

This is a full-time, non-exempt position that reports to the Handler Certification Team Lead, Supervisor, or Manager. This is a United States-based remote position.

This position does not include on-site inspections of certified operations and will not include fieldwork in the future. 

Applications will be reviewed beginning April 14, 2025. 

Essential 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 communicates 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. 

Specific Duties:    

• 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. 

• Utilize regulatory text and other resources, including technical support staff office hours, to make compliance decisions. 

• Ensure timely review of client updates and inspection reports by independently managing workload. 

• 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. 

• Ensure 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. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bilingual proficiency in both English and Spanish extending to written and spoken communication for Spanish speaking audiences including handler operators in the US and Mexico. Ability to write and understand complex texts and have challenging conversations in both languages. 

• 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. 

Desired Qualifications:

• 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.   

Supervisory Responsibilities or Key Relationships:

• This role does not have any supervisory responsibilities. 

Physical and Travel Requirements: 

• 8-hour regular workday schedule that falls within the 7:00 am to 7:00 pm timeframe in the employee’s time zone. This ensures client contact availability during most normal CCOF business hours (8:00 am – 5:00 pm Pacific Time).  

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer. 

• This position may involve opportunities to travel at least once a year for staff events, and/or to represent CCOF professionally at industry events in the US or Mexico. 

Other duties: 

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Compensation: CCOF takes pride in offering competitive pay and benefits such as superb health plans, 401(k) program, and generous sick/personal and vacation time. The Handler Certification Specialist’s (Bilingual) starting salary range will be $60,000 – $62,000 and will depend on qualifications and experience.

Hiring Process: Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Interested applicants, please submit the following documents:

• Cover letter summarizing your interest in CCOF and the position, and qualifications
• Current resume
• List of three professional references 

Incomplete applications will not be considered. No phone calls, please. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Thank you for your interest.

CCOF is an equal opportunity employer. We prioritize community, well-being, and belonging, ensuring that everyone has a chance to contribute, develop and succeed. We encourage people with various talents and experience to apply.  

Community-building is a core value at CCOF. We are passionate about cultivating and sustaining a work environment where all employees can thrive. We believe every member of our team enriches our culture by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world.