Sofia Stifflemire

Directs the management, coordination, and oversight of the statewide Food Safety Unit operations and staff (including, but not limited to, Milk and Dairy Operations and Inspection Branches, Retail Food Safety Operations, Seafood and Aquatic Life Safety, and Consumable Hemp Products Program). Responsible for the overall implementation, coordination, and evaluation of activities within the Unit. Provides counsel and guidance to Associate Commissioner, Deputy Associate Commissioner, and Section Director regarding operations of Unit programs and their impact; development, alignment, and implementation of strategic goals and objectives; and evaluation of all Unit operations with recommendations to develop and implement process improvements and solutions for effectiveness and efficiency. Oversees the planning, development, and implementation of procedures that guide the operations for the statewide Unit.

Serves as a member of the Food and Drug Section’s leadership team and, as such, coordinates with the Associate Commissioner, Deputy Associate Commissioner, Section Director, Manufactured Food and Drug Unit Director, and Division support teams. Provides guidance and direction to Branch Managers and program staff throughout the Food Safety Unit on policy, planning, priorities, and operations. Works with Section leadership to identify and resolve risks and/or issues. Provides project management and direction on key projects and leadership of Unit-wide workgroups. Assures assignments and deliverables are accurate and complete, and deadlines are met for the Unit.

Manages and provides direction to highly specialized Branch Managers and program staff within the Food Safety Unit, many of whom are geographically dispersed across the state. Plans, assigns, and supervises the work of others. Directs, manages, and develops staff through review of performance data, consultation, training, and performance appraisal. Responsible for hiring and selection, assigning work, completing performance evaluations, approving personnel disciplinary actions, scheduling and approving time and leave.

Interprets and applies state and federal statutes, regulations, and standards. Reviews and evaluates impact of proposed federal and state laws on program objectives. Ensures the regulations and standards established by the department are fair, equitable, and consistent with state and federal law. Monitors compliance with regulations and standards by regulated individuals and entities. Represents the department through presentations, providing information and testimony, collaborating with consumer advocacy associations, other state agencies, and federal partners. Responds to requests by legislators and other public officials.

Performed highly advanced, complex senior level managerial work managing the daily operations and functions of the Milk and Dairy Operations Branch. Planed, organized, managed, and assigned work for technical and administrative Staff, many of whom are geographically dispersed throughout the state. Provided direction to staff for planning necessary tasks, establishing schedules, identifying goals and objectives and standards for achieving them, and assuring shared vision of ongoing and special milk projects. Provided technical assistance and training to staff concerning technical aspects of the milk program rules and policy. Ensured consistent application of milk program policies and procedures. Evaluated work distribution and efficiency of staff. Performed evaluations, approves leave and time sheets, conducts interviews, and recommends hiring of staff under direct supervision.

Evaluated and made recommendations on resource and training needs, workload trends, budget preparation, policies, and procedures. Managed and oversaw the development of highly technical milk rules. Provided for the establishment of a prioritized schedule for rule development. Performed quality assurance and technical review of milk rules and regulatory guides, including the development of fiscal notes. Conducted public meetings on proposed rules. Analyzed milk rules and other regulatory documents received for comment by other groups, organizations, and state and federal agencies and compiles comments. Oversaw the preparation of management productivity reports including Legislative Budget Board performance reports. Prepared bill analysis and cost estimates for milk and dairy-related bills introduced in the Legislature. Provided testimony as necessary in legislative hearings.

Served as team lead for statewide milk projects or other operational projects. Managed and ensured the quality assurance review of inspection reports resulting from milk surveys and inspections. Ensured enforcement notices reflect appropriate technical information and are issued in accordance with the milk program and Division policy and procedures.

Ensured coordination with the Enforcement Unit and Milk Inspection Branches regarding milk-escalated enforcement issues. Monitored milk program contracts with private laboratories including to completion of laboratory contracts, laboratory performance, and the processing of invoices being submitted for payment. Monitored milk program grants from creation to completion. Monitored program compliance with the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO). Oversaw preparation for and cooperation during U.S. Food and Drug Administration Milk program audits. Coordinated response to any audit findings with appropriate groups.

Represented the department at national and/or state meetings, and conferences where complex milk issues are presented and discussed. Prepared reports and other documents using word processing, database, spreadsheets, and graphics software. Participated and served in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or continuity of operations (COOP) activation.

Served as Interim Milk PSQA Group Manager from October 2014 to January 2017. Planned, organized, managed, and assigned work technical\administrative staff within the Milk Group and other special projects. Supervised and managed the Milk Group's technical and administrative staff, including management or time and leave, development of performance standards and reviews, hiring, and other personnel matters ensure consistent application or milk program policies and procedures. Served as the lead trainer for Milk PSQA staff. Evaluated the work distribution and efficiency of staff. Monitored quality control of data entry work performed using the Regulatory Automated Systems (RAS) and VERSA for recording sampling, inspection, and regulatory activities. Oversaw the development of internal policies, procedures, and quality assurance standards used by Milk and Dairy staff to inspect, regulate, and ensure industry compliance with state and federal statutes and rules. Developed and implemented revisions to the Milk and Dairy rules. Analyzed milk rules and other regulatory documents received for comment by outside groups, organizations, and state and federal agencies. Provided technical assistance and training of staff concerning technical aspects of the milk program rules and policy. Coordinated with the licensing managers to resolve problems. Coordinated with the Food and Drug Inspection Branch and Milk Inspection Groups regarding inspections, reports, and complaints. Interacted with various local, state, and federal agencies. Responsible for maintaining laboratory and inspection reports; maintaining current Interstate Milk Shippers (IMS) Grade A Milk Facilities listings; including producer dairy bulk tank units; milk transfer Stations; milk processing operations; and container/packaging manufacturing plants. Maintained record keeping in conjunction with sanitation ratings of IMS Grade A facilities. Monitored milk program contracts with laboratories including completion of laboratory contracts, laboratory performance, and processing of invoices being submitted for payment. Responsible for issuing warning and suspension letters, and related compliance or enforcement notices. Prepared enforcement cases for presentation to the Enforcement Review committee and ensured coordination With the Enforcement Unit regarding milk—escalated enforcmentissues. Responsible for the Milk Group complaint program for consumers and the milk industry. Coordinated with the Inspection Unit to complete complaint investigations and review and assign complaints to inspectors or appropriate agencies. Provided and coordinated the tabulation and development of the Legislative Budget Board (LBB) program numbers related to performance measures established by the legislature. Prepared bill analysis for milk and dairy-related bills introduced in the Legislature. Supported field Staff, the Inspection and Sampling program, Industry Sealer program, and meetings. Coordinated all programming and network modifications with IT staff as necessary to maintain data entry systems. Provided information to customers and stakeholders, including responding to open records requests, and served as the Milk Group spokesperson as needed regarding rules and Milk Group activities.

Served as program coordinator and oversaw the workflow of the administrative staff including communications, data entry, tiling, and supplies. Performed various technical, training, research, planning, policy, program assessment, and administrative duties. Maintained laboratory and inspection reports, current Interstate Milk Shippers IMS Grade A Milk Facilities listings, producer dairy bulk tank units, milk transfer stations, milk processing operations, and manufacturing plans. Oversaw the group's complaint program for the consumer and milk industry. Reviewed complaints and assigned complaints to inspectors or appropriate agencies. Reviewed completed complaint investigations for thoroughness and resolution. Maintained record keeping with sanitation ratings of 'MS Grade A facilities. Analyzed laboratory and inspection reports and issued warning letters and related compliance or enforcement notices. Prepared reports derived from the database, utilizing complex search procedures. Prepared Federal Cheek Rating Reports and reviewed them for inspection history and sampling quality assurance. Prepared enforcement cases for presentation to the Enforcement Review Committee. Oversaw and assisted in the preparation and development of new or amended rules, policies, and procedures; revising and editing current policy; and ensuring the final product is approved and disseminated to the Division, the public, and the milk industry. Monitored and reviewed compliance with program policies and procedures, statutes, and rules for the Milk Group. Trained administrative staff and performed routine quality control of data entry work utilizing the Regulatory Automated System and VERSA for recording sampling, inspection, and regulatory activities under the authority of PSQA. Coordinated programming and network modifications With IT and RAS staff to maintain data entry systems. Provided and coordinated the Legislative Budget Board program numbers related to performance measures established by the legislature. Provided information to customers and stakeholders, including responding to open records requests. Provided daily technical assistance and support to Milk and Dairy field staff and supplied training assistance for the Milk and Dairy program. Assisted program staff in resolving technical problems. Attended work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policies and procedures.

Worked under the direction of the Food & Drug Inspection Branch Manager, performing complex administrative support, and coordinating administrative functions for the branch and Branch Manager. Served as the primary Administrative Technician for the Branch. Completed word processing and graphics assignments as assigned. Monitored and tracked the submission of monthly timesheets, travel, and inspection summary reports. Planned, coordinated, canceled, reserved, and scheduled meetings, interviews, and events. Duties included the primary receptionist, leave technician, providing administrative work, and mail technician. Prepared, collected, and consolidated information for special reports. Acted as the Branch travel coordinator and meeting coordinator. Used the PeopleSoft program to enter and track purchasing requisitions and prepared orders for office supplies and equipment. Maintained supplies; and functioned as the inventory coordinator for the Branch. Functioned as Branch records coordinator. Prepared reports and documents utilizing FoxPro, Excel, WordPerfect, PowerPoint, and Word. Coordinated and scheduled activities and resources for the Food and Drug Branch Manager. Facilitated written and verbal communication to and from the branch manager and unit staff. Performed activities with considerable latitude and the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Worked under the supervision or the EMS Licensing Standards Program manager. Responsible for technical work which involved reviewing mail and remittance lists, entry of personnel certification and medical advisory board (MAB) case data on local area network computer systems, involving technical evaluation of eligibility of applicants. Performed organizing and filing MAB and certification records, proofing and mailing certificates, data entry, gathering information for and independently preparing varied statistical information reports, and preparing word processing documents such as medical history questionnaires, memos, letters, forms, and outlines. Performed administrative support including word processing, database maintenance, copying, filing, and faxing for the MAB and EMS Processing Technicians and the program manager. Miscellaneous duties included serving as a backup for the bureau receptionist, and assorted backup secretarial\technical tasks as assigned by the EMS standards Program Manager. Prepared and mailed the 180-day letters each month. Completed assigned applications daily.