Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Blasdell, NY

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector works to ensure that regulated establishments produce safe meat and poultry products by applying inspection methods, identifying and documenting noncompliance, and initiating enforcement action 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. This includes reviewing records, observing operations, conducting hands-on verification, evaluating corrective and preventive actions, identifying trends, and deciding when regulatory control or enforcement action is necessary.

The inspector also conducts oversight concerning other consumer protections, such as economic adulteration and misbranding. The role involves explaining regulatory requirements to plant personnel, discussing food safety plans and noncompliance, communicating and defending inspection determinations, and working with others to resolve differences in interpretation. The inspector may advise Agency personnel on inspection and enforcement matters; conduct sampling, surveys, and tests for microbes, residues, contaminants, and other issues; and verify that imported meat and poultry products comply with Federal regulations. The inspector may authorize entry of compliant products or refuse entry of noncompliant products, coordinating as needed with other Federal agencies.

The employee primarily works in one plant but may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Philadelphia District. Shifts and species vary by assignment. The position requires training within 90 days of selection and successful completion of that training within 12 months. Duties are performed in a hazardous working environment and require successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination and ability to meet the position’s physical requirements.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Must meet the specialized-experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level (GS-05, GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09).
• For GS-05, must have at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience involving knowledge of regulated food commodities or other ingestible substances, or qualify through the specified education or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-07, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including independently carrying out routine, standard assignments, or qualify through the specified education or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-08, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including experience with relevant Federal inspection acts, basic SSOP and HACCP principles, mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for testing and sampling, and interpreting conclusions.
• For GS-09, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, including experience at a more independent level; alternatively, the specified directly related graduate education or a combination of education and experience may qualify.
• Must begin required training within 90 days of the effective date of selection and complete it successfully within 12 months.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication, E-Verify, and a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Must comply with the Federal direct-deposit requirement.
• Must be physically and medically able to perform essential job functions without posing a direct threat to self or others.
• Must have full range of motion for rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level; be able to stand and walk on slippery, uneven floors and catwalks and climb stairs and ladders; and lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Must have upper-body manual dexterity, including arms, hands, and fingers, with normal sense of touch in both hands.
• Must have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease, and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye; must be able to distinguish shades of color.
• Hearing loss or a need for hearing amplification will be assessed case by case.
• Must comply with FSIS assignment restrictions concerning family and personal relationships with regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure meat and poultry products are produced safely and in compliance with requirements.
• Verify that establishment SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are implemented effectively.
• Review records, observe plant operations, conduct hands-on verification, and document noncompliance in detailed Non-Compliance Records.
• Determine when regulatory control or enforcement action is necessary and assess corrective and preventive actions for adequacy and effectiveness.
• Conduct regulatory oversight concerning consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; discuss food safety programs and plans for addressing noncompliance.
• Communicate and defend determinations concerning noncompliance and work with others to resolve differences in interpretation.
• Advise other Agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters.
• Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to investigate potential problem areas, industry trends, and other issues of interest to the Agency.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and tests for microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Verify that imported meat and poultry products comply with Federal regulations governing importation.
• Authorize entry of compliant meat or poultry 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 and other stated conditions.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual may be available to selectees.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program information is provided; eligibility is not specified.
• Referral bonus award of $1,000 may be available subject to criteria and restrictions.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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