Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Hardin, MT

14h • Onsite

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector helps ensure regulated establishments produce safe meat and poultry products by conducting inspections, 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 effectively implemented to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration. This work includes reviewing records, observing operations, conducting hands-on verification, and assessing corrective and preventive actions and trends in noncompliance.

The position also involves oversight related to other consumer protections, such as economic adulteration and misbranding; communication with plant managers, owners, and others about regulatory requirements and food safety plans; and coordination with inspectors, supervisors, officers, and other individuals to address compliance issues. The inspector may conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to investigate potential problem areas and industry trends, including tests for microbes, residues, or contaminants. Import-related duties include verifying that imported products comply with federal requirements, authorizing entry of compliant products, refusing entry of noncompliant products, and coordinating with other federal agencies.

The employee primarily works in one plant but may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Denver District. Shifts and species vary by assignment. The work is performed in a hazardous environment and requires successful completion of specified training, a pre-employment medical examination, and the ability to meet the position’s physical and medical requirements.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successfully complete a background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination.
• Be at least 18 years old.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Read, speak, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Begin required training within 90 days of the effective date of selection and successfully complete it within 12 months.
• Meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level. For GS-05, this includes at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience, or qualifying education or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-07, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, or qualifying graduate education or a combination of education and experience.
• For GS-08, 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 statistics for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• For GS-09, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, or qualifying graduate education or a combination of education and experience. Experience may include more independent work such as recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station.
• Be physically and medically able to perform the essential job functions without posing a direct threat to self or others.
• 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.
• Be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Have upper-body manual dexterity, including arms, hands, and fingers, and a normal sense of touch in both hands.
• Have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease, and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye.
• Be able to distinguish shades of color; significant color blindness may be disqualifying.
• Hearing loss or use of hearing amplification will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Have federal payments made by direct deposit if selected.
• Observe the agency’s assignment restrictions concerning family and personal relationships with regulated industry.

Nice To Haves

• Qualifying education may substitute for specialized experience at certain grade levels, including relevant undergraduate coursework, directly related graduate education, or a combination of education and experience.
• Specialized government or military training directly related to the position may be creditable.
• The position may be eligible for the Consumer Safety Inspector Accelerated Promotion Program, subject to successful completion of a mandatory training plan.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to determine compliance with applicable requirements and help ensure they produce safe products.
• Verify that establishments’ SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification of compliance.
• Document noncompliance in detail and determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted.
• Assess whether corrective or preventive actions are acceptable and effective and whether noncompliance trends exist.
• Conduct oversight activities related to consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain regulatory requirements and discuss establishments’ SSOP, HACCP plans, and other food safety programs with plant personnel.
• Communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss plans for addressing noncompliance.
• Work with others to resolve problems and clarify differences in interpretation 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 other agency concerns.
• Perform health and safety sampling and testing for microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Verify that imported meat and poultry products comply with federal regulations.
• Authorize entry of compliant imported 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 agency staffing needs, budget availability, and applicable service agreements.
• Creditable service for annual leave accrual.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Accelerated Promotion Program may be available.
• Referral bonus awards of $1,000 may be available subject to eligibility and 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