Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service•Craig, CO

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe meat, poultry, and other regulated products for human consumption. The inspector applies inspection methods to identify and document regulatory noncompliance, determines whether regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted, and evaluates whether an establishment’s corrective and preventive actions are acceptable and effective. The role includes verifying that establishments’ Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented. Inspectors review records, observe plant operations, conduct hands-on verification, and prepare detailed non-compliance records. They also conduct oversight related to other consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding, and communicate regulatory requirements and findings to plant managers, owners, agency personnel, and other stakeholders. Inspectors may conduct sampling, surveys, and tests for microbes, residues, contaminants, and other areas of agency interest. They also review meat and poultry products presented for import, authorize entry of compliant products, refuse entry of noncompliant products, and coordinate with other federal agencies on related matters. Shifts and species vary by assignment, and an employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Denver District. The work takes place in a hazardous environment and requires a pre-employment medical examination and the ability to meet the position’s physical requirements.

Requirements

U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
Successful adjudication of a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
Successful completion of a one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination.
At least 18 years of age.
Successful completion of the E-Verify employment verification check.
Ability to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
Complete required training: begin within 90 days of the effective date of selection and successfully complete within 12 months.
Meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level (GS-05, GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09).
GS-05 experience qualification: at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience involving regulated food commodities or other ingestible substances, including relevant sampling or testing, reporting findings, maintaining contacts, or making determinations against standards; qualifying education may substitute as described in the posting.
GS-07 experience qualification: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including independently carrying out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis; qualifying graduate education or a combination may substitute as described in the posting.
GS-08 experience qualification: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including work with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts; basic SSOP and HACCP principles and practices; basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
GS-09 experience qualification: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, with more independent work that may include recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station; qualifying graduate education or a combination may substitute as described in the posting.
Be physically and medically able to perform the essential functions without posing a direct threat to self or others.
Have full range of motion for rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level.
Be able to stand and walk on slippery and uneven floors and catwalks, and climb stairs and ladders.
Be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
Have upper-body manual dexterity, including arms, hands, and fingers, and a normal sense of touch in both hands.
Have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease, and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye.
Be able to distinguish shades of color; significant color blindness may be disqualifying.
Hearing loss and/or use of hearing amplification will be assessed case by case.
Federal employees must receive payments by direct deposit.
A Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) may be required before appointment.

Responsibilities

Inspect regulated establishments to determine whether products are produced in compliance with applicable requirements.
Verify that establishments’ SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration.
Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification of compliance.
Document noncompliance in detailed Non-Compliance Records and determine when regulatory control or enforcement action is necessary.
Assess the adequacy and effectiveness of plant corrective or preventive actions and identify trends in noncompliance.
Conduct regulatory oversight related to consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; discuss SSOP, HACCP plans, and food safety programs.
Communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss plans to address noncompliance.
Work with stakeholders to resolve problems and clarify differing interpretations of HACCP, food safety, and consumer protection requirements.
Advise other agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters.
Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to collect data on potential problem areas, industry trends, and other agency concerns.
Perform health and safety sampling and tests to detect microbes, residues, and contaminants.
Verify that meat and poultry products approved for import comply with applicable federal regulations.
Authorize entry of compliant products or refuse entry of products that do not meet admission requirements.
Coordinate with other federal agencies on matters such as animal health restrictions and refused-entry lots.

Benefits

$5,000 sign-on bonus, subject to a signed two-year service agreement, satisfactory performance and conduct, and applicable conditions.
Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual may be available to selectees.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Referral bonus awards of $1,000 may be available under stated eligibility restrictions.
Federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

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