Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Delphi, IN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe meat and poultry products by using appropriate inspection methods, identifying and documenting regulatory noncompliance, and initiating enforcement actions when warranted. The inspector verifies that establishments’ Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans meet regulatory requirements and are implemented effectively to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration. Duties include reviewing records, observing operations, performing hands-on verification, preparing detailed Non-Compliance Records, and determining whether regulatory control or enforcement action is needed. The inspector assesses establishments’ corrective and preventive actions and identifies trends in noncompliance.

The position also involves oversight of consumer protections such as preventing economic adulteration and misbranding; explaining regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and other contacts; discussing food-safety programs and noncompliance; and communicating and defending inspection determinations. The inspector works with others to resolve differences in interpretation, advises Agency inspectors and officials on relevant inspection and enforcement matters, and conducts sampling, surveys, and tests concerning potential problems, industry trends, and other Agency interests. This may include health and safety tests for microbes, residues, or contaminants.

The inspector assures that meat and poultry products approved for import comply with Federal requirements, authorizes entry of compliant products, and refuses entry of products that do not meet admission requirements. The role coordinates with other Federal agencies on matters including animal health restrictions and refused-entry lots. Shifts and species vary by assignment, and the employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Chicago District. The work is performed in a hazardous environment and requires a pre-employment physical. Training as a condition of employment must begin within 90 days of selection and be completed within 12 months.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Pass a background investigation and/or fingerprint check and complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Use direct deposit for Federal payments and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Be at least 18 years of age and able to read, speak, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Complete a pre-employment medical examination and be physically and medically able to perform the essential job functions safely.
• Begin required training within 90 days of the effective date of selection and complete it within 12 months.
• Meet the applicable time-in-grade requirement, including one year at the next lower grade when applying for a higher grade.
• Meet specialized-experience or qualifying-education requirements for the grade level sought. For GS-05, this includes at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience involving regulated food or ingestible products, or qualifying education or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-07, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including independently performing standard and recurring assignments, or qualifying graduate education or a combination.
• For GS-08, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including experience with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts; basic SSOP and HACCP principles; basic mathematics and elementary statistical methods for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• For GS-09, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, including work at a more independent level, potentially recommending refusal of exports or providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station, or qualifying graduate education or a combination.
• For roles using education in lieu of experience, meet the applicable directly related coursework or graduate-education requirements described for GS-05, GS-07, or GS-09.
• Have sufficient range of motion for rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level; be able to stand and walk on slippery or 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; applicants with hearing loss or requiring hearing amplification will be assessed case by case.
• Provide truthful information in the application and resume; selected applicants may need to complete Form OF-306 to determine suitability and authorize a background investigation.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure safe meat and poultry products are produced, using appropriate inspection methods.
• Identify regulatory noncompliance, document findings in detailed Non-Compliance Records, and initiate enforcement actions when warranted.
• Verify that establishment SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and perform hands-on verification of regulatory compliance.
• Determine whether regulatory control action is necessary and assess the acceptability and effectiveness of corrective or preventive actions.
• Identify trends in noncompliance and determine whether enforcement action is warranted.
• Conduct regulatory oversight concerning consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements and discuss SSOP, HACCP, and other food-safety programs with plant managers, owners, and others.
• Communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss plans for addressing noncompliance.
• Work with others to resolve problems and differences in interpretation of HACCP, food-safety, and consumer-protection requirements.
• Advise Agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters within the inspector’s area of involvement.
• Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to obtain data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other Agency interests.
• Perform health and safety sampling and testing for microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Ensure meat and poultry products approved for import comply with applicable Federal regulations.
• Authorize entry of compliant meat or poultry products and refuse entry of products that fail to meet Federal admission requirements.
• Coordinate with other Federal agencies on animal-health restrictions and refused-entry lots.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available.
• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific benefits depend on position type and should be confirmed with the hiring agency.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed