Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Radisson, WI

1d

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe meat, poultry, and other regulated products by conducting inspections and determining whether operations comply with applicable requirements. The inspector verifies that establishments’ Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans meet requirements and are implemented effectively to prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration. Duties include reviewing records, observing operations, performing hands-on verification, documenting noncompliance, assessing corrective actions, and determining whether regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted.

The inspector conducts oversight related to consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding; communicates regulatory requirements and inspection findings to plant personnel; and works with industry contacts and other agency personnel to resolve issues and clarify regulatory interpretations. The role also involves collecting samples, conducting surveys and tests for potential problems and trends, and performing verification sampling for microbes, residues, or contaminants. For import oversight, the inspector determines whether meat and poultry products comply with federal requirements, authorizes compliant products to enter, refuses entry when requirements are violated, and coordinates with other federal agencies on related matters.

Assignments may involve varying shifts and species. The employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Des Moines District. The work is performed in a hazardous environment and requires successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination and training as a condition of employment. A $5,000 sign-on bonus, creditable service for annual leave accrual, potential Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility, and referral bonus awards are mentioned; the sign-on bonus requires a two-year service agreement and is subject to stated conditions.

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 satisfactory background adjudication and/or fingerprint check.
• Successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination and meet the physical and medical requirements of the position.
• Be at least 18 years of age and successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Complete required training: begin within 90 days of selection’s effective date and successfully complete within 12 months.
• Meet the qualifications for the applicable grade level through specialized experience, education, or an allowable combination. GS-05 requires at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience or qualifying education; GS-07 requires at least one year of GS-05-equivalent specialized experience or qualifying education; GS-08 requires one year of GS-07-equivalent specialized experience, including specified inspection, HACCP/SSOP, mathematics/statistics, and interpretation experience; GS-09 requires one year of GS-08-equivalent specialized experience or qualifying education.
• For qualifying experience, demonstrate knowledge of regulated food commodities or other ingestible products and relevant work such as sampling, field testing, reporting findings, maintaining effective contacts, or determining conformance with standards.
• Meet physical capabilities that include full range of motion for repetitive twisting and overhead work; standing and walking on slippery or uneven floors and catwalks; climbing stairs and ladders; lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds; and upper-body manual dexterity with normal touch sensation in both hands.
• Have good near and distance vision, correctable to at least 20/40 in one eye, and ability to distinguish shades of color; significant color blindness may be disqualifying. Hearing loss or use of amplification is assessed case by case.
• Maintain direct deposit for federal payments if selected.
• Complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) if required before appointment.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure products are safe and operations comply with regulatory requirements.
• Verify that establishment SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented.
• Review records, observe operations, conduct hands-on verification, and document noncompliance in detailed records.
• Determine whether regulatory control action is necessary and assess the acceptability and effectiveness of corrective or preventive actions, including whether enforcement is warranted.
• Conduct oversight related to other consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss corrective plans.
• Work with industry and agency personnel to resolve problems and clarify interpretations of food safety and consumer protection requirements.
• Advise other agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters.
• Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to gather data on potential problem areas, industry trends, and other agency concerns.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and testing for microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Determine whether imported meat and poultry products comply with federal regulations; authorize entry of compliant products or refuse entry of noncompliant products.
• 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 satisfactory performance and conduct; uncompleted service may require repayment.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual may be available.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program eligibility is mentioned.
• Referral bonus award of $1,000 may be available, subject to eligibility and award criteria.
• Federal employee benefits package for employees and their families; specific benefits depend on position type and eligibility.

What This Job Offers

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