Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Gardena, CA

10d

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe meat and poultry products by conducting inspections, identifying and documenting noncompliance, and initiating enforcement actions when warranted. The inspector verifies that establishments' Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration. Duties include reviewing records, observing operations, conducting hands-on verification, evaluating corrective actions and noncompliance trends, and determining when regulatory control or enforcement action is necessary.

The role includes oversight of consumer protections such as preventing economic adulteration and misbranding. The inspector communicates legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; explains and defends compliance determinations; and works with stakeholders to resolve problems and clarify interpretations of food safety requirements. The inspector may advise other agency personnel on inspection and enforcement matters and conduct sampling, surveys, and tests for microbes, residues, contaminants, and other potential concerns.

The position also involves inspection of imported meat and poultry products. The inspector determines whether products meet federal import requirements, authorizes entry for compliant products, refuses entry for noncompliant products, and coordinates with other federal agencies on related issues. Shifts and species vary by assignment. The work is performed in a hazardous working environment and requires successful completion of a pre-employment physical examination and required training.

Requirements

• Meet the qualifications for the applicable grade level (GS-05, GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09), including specialized experience and/or qualifying education.
• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Complete required training: begin within 90 days of selection's effective date and successfully complete it within 12 months.
• Pass a pre-employment medical examination and be physically and medically able to perform the essential job functions safely.
• Pass applicable background investigation and/or fingerprint checks, E-Verify employment verification, and any required suitability review.
• Complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Meet applicable selective service registration requirements for males born after December 31, 1959, or be exempt.
• For GS-05, have at least 52 weeks of qualifying specialized experience, or qualifying education or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-07, have at least 52 weeks of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, 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 inspection laws; basic SSOP and HACCP principles; basic mathematics and elementary statistics for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• For GS-09, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, including more independent work such as recommending refusal of exports or providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station, or qualifying graduate education or a combination.
• Meet physical requirements that include full range of motion for repetitive twisting and overhead arm 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; upper-body manual dexterity; and adequate near and distance vision and color discrimination.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure the production of safe products; identify, document, and address regulatory noncompliance.
• Verify that meat and poultry establishments' SSOPs and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification; prepare detailed Non-Compliance Records.
• Assess corrective and preventative actions, identify trends in noncompliance, and determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted.
• Conduct oversight involving consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain regulatory requirements and discuss food safety programs with plant managers, owners, and other contacts; communicate and defend compliance determinations.
• Work with individuals to resolve problems and clarify interpretations of HACCP, food safety, and consumer protection requirements.
• Advise other agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on relevant inspection and enforcement matters.
• Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to gather data on potential problem areas, industry trends, and agency concerns.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and testing for microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Verify that imported meat and poultry products comply with applicable federal regulations; authorize entry of compliant products or refuse entry of noncompliant products.
• Coordinate with other federal agencies on issues such as animal health restrictions and refused-entry lots.

Benefits

• $5,000 sign-on bonus, subject to a two-year service agreement and other conditions.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual may be available.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Referral bonus awards of $1,000 may be available, subject to eligibility and criteria.
• Accelerated Promotion Program may be available for eligible positions; program conditions apply.
• Federal employee benefits package; 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