Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Greeley, CO

23h • Onsite

About The Position

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

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 and agency colleagues to resolve differences and address noncompliance. The role also involves advising other inspectors and officials, conducting sampling, surveys, and tests—including for microbes, residues, or contaminants—and verifying that meat and poultry products approved for import comply with federal regulations. The inspector may authorize entry of compliant products, refuse entry of noncompliant products, and coordinate with other federal agencies on issues such as animal health restrictions and refused-entry lots.

The employee will primarily work in one plant but may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Denver District. Shifts and species vary based on assignment. The job is performed in a hazardous working environment and requires a pre-employment medical examination. Training as a condition of employment must begin within 90 days of selection and be completed within 12 months. Public Service Loan Forgiveness is available.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must be registered with Selective Service or exempt if born after December 31, 1959.
• Must pass a background investigation and/or fingerprint check, E-Verify employment verification, and a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Must read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Must begin required training within 90 days of the effective selection date and complete it within 12 months.
• Must meet applicable time-in-grade requirements, including one year at the next lower grade when applying for a higher grade.
• Must have qualifying specialized experience in knowledge of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption, such as experience in food inspection, consumer safety inspection, public health inspection, quality inspection, sampling, quality control, or sanitation in a food production or similar environment.
• For GS-07, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including 52 weeks of independently carrying out routine assignments involving knowledge of regulated food commodities or ingestible substances; directly related graduate education or a qualifying combination of education and experience may substitute.
• 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 and practices; basic mathematics and elementary statistical methods for testing and sampling; and reaching and interpreting conclusions.
• For GS-09, must have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08; experience may include working more independently, recommending refusal of exports, and providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station. Two years of directly related graduate education, a directly related master's degree, or a qualifying combination of education and experience may substitute.
• 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; ability to stand and walk on slippery or uneven floors and catwalks and climb stairs and ladders.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Must have upper-body manual dexterity, including use of arms, hands, and fingers, and a 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 need for hearing amplification is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Must meet any applicable assignment restrictions concerning family and personal relationships with regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure production of safe products and compliance with applicable requirements.
• 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 of compliance.
• Document regulatory noncompliance in detail, including preparing Non-Compliance Records, and determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted.
• Evaluate the acceptability and effectiveness of corrective or preventive actions and identify trends in noncompliance.
• Conduct oversight activities related to other consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; discuss plant SSOPs, HACCP plans, and food safety programs.
• Communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss plans for addressing issues.
• Work with industry and agency personnel to resolve problems and clarify differing interpretations of HACCP, 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 issues of agency interest.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and testing for microbes, residues, and 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 matters such as animal health restrictions and refused-entry lots.

Benefits

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available.
• Federal employees receive access to a comprehensive benefits package for themselves 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