Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Hospers, IA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

Consumer Safety Inspectors ensure regulated establishments produce safe products by conducting inspections, identifying and documenting noncompliance with regulatory requirements, and initiating enforcement action when warranted. They verify that meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments meet requirements for Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, and that these programs are implemented effectively to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration. Inspectors review records, observe operations, perform hands-on verification, assess corrective and preventive actions, identify trends, and determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is needed.

The role also includes regulatory oversight of consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding; communicating requirements and inspection findings to plant managers, owners, and others; resolving differences in interpretation; and advising agency colleagues on inspection and enforcement matters. Inspectors conduct sampling, surveys, and tests, including health and safety testing for microbes, residues, and contaminants. They also verify that imported meat and poultry products meet federal requirements, authorize entry of compliant products, refuse entry of noncompliant products, and coordinate with other federal agencies on import and animal-health matters.

Shifts and species vary by assignment. Employees may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Des Moines District. The work is performed in a hazardous environment and requires a pre-employment medical examination and physical ability to perform the essential duties. Training is required: it must begin within 90 days of the effective selection date and be completed within 12 months.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• 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 be able to read, speak, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Must meet the specialized experience or education qualifications for the applicable grade level. GS-05 experience requires at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience involving regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption; qualifying examples include collecting samples or performing field tests, reporting findings, and maintaining effective contacts.
• For GS-07, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05 and experience independently performing routine, recurring assignments.
• For GS-08, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including experience with the 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, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08 and experience working at a more independent level, potentially including recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station.
• 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 or 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 a normal sense of touch in both hands.
• Must have good near and distance vision, no chronic eye disease, and correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye; must distinguish shades of color. Significant color blindness may be disqualifying.
• Hearing loss and/or use of hearing amplification will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Must begin required training within 90 days of the effective selection date and successfully complete it within 12 months.
• 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 ensure they produce safe products and comply with applicable requirements.
• Verify that meat and poultry establishments’ SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are implemented effectively.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification of compliance.
• Document noncompliance in detailed Non-Compliance Records and initiate enforcement action when warranted.
• Determine whether regulatory control action is necessary and assess corrective or preventive actions and patterns of noncompliance.
• Conduct oversight related to other consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and other contacts; discuss plant SSOP, HACCP, and other food safety programs.
• Communicate and defend noncompliance determinations, discuss corrective plans, and help resolve differing interpretations of 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 other agency concerns.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and testing for microbes, residues, and contaminants.
• Verify that 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 two-year service agreement and satisfactory performance and conduct; funds may be collected for uncompleted service.
• 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, subject to eligibility and criteria.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.
• Potential noncompetitive promotion upon successful completion of a career development plan and management recommendation; promotion is not guaranteed.

What This Job Offers

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