Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Baker Hill, AL

8d • Onsite

About The Position

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

The role includes regulatory oversight of other consumer-protection matters, such as economic adulteration and misbranding. Inspectors explain applicable requirements to plant managers, owners, and other contacts; communicate and defend findings; discuss plans to address noncompliance; collaborate to resolve differing interpretations; and advise agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on relevant inspection and enforcement matters. They also conduct sampling, surveys, and tests, including health and safety testing for microbes, residues, and contaminants.

Inspectors may oversee imported meat and poultry products, authorize entry of compliant products, refuse entry of products that do not meet federal requirements, and coordinate with other federal agencies on matters such as animal-health restrictions and refused-entry lots. Assignment, shift, and species may vary. Baker Hill employees primarily work in one plant but may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Atlanta District; Georgia vacancy employees may also be detailed to any shift at any plant in that district. The job involves a hazardous work environment and requires a pre-employment physical. Training is a condition of employment: it must begin within 90 days of selection and be completed within 12 months.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must pass required background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Must be at least 18 years old and able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must begin required training within 90 days of the effective date of selection and complete it within 12 months.
• Applicants must meet applicable time-in-grade, specialized-experience, and/or education requirements by the announcement closing date.
• GS-05 specialized-experience qualification: at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience involving knowledge of regulated food commodities or other ingestible products, such as sampling or field testing, identifying abnormalities and recommending corrective actions, reporting findings, maintaining effective contacts, or determining conformance with standards.
• GS-07 specialized-experience qualification: at least one year equivalent to GS-05, including independently performing routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis.
• GS-08 specialized-experience qualification: at least one year 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 concepts for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• GS-09 specialized-experience qualification: at least one year equivalent to GS-08, with more independent work, potentially including recommending refusal of exports or providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station.
• Education may substitute for qualifying experience: GS-05 requires a relevant bachelor's degree with specified coursework, or a qualifying combination of education and experience; GS-07 may be met with one full year of directly related graduate education or a qualifying combination; GS-09 may be met with two full years of directly related graduate education, a directly related master's degree, or a qualifying combination.
• Must meet physical and medical requirements, including range of motion for repetitive twisting and overhead work; ability to stand and walk on slippery or uneven floors and catwalks and climb stairs and ladders; lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds; upper-body manual dexterity and normal touch in both hands; adequate correctable vision and ability to distinguish shades of color. Hearing loss or use of amplification is assessed case by case.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure meat and poultry products are safe and comply with applicable requirements.
• Verify establishment SSOPs and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented.
• Review records, observe operations, conduct hands-on verification, and prepare detailed Non-Compliance Records.
• Determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted; assess corrective and preventive actions and identify trends in noncompliance.
• Conduct regulatory oversight for consumer-protection matters 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 others to resolve problems and clarify differing interpretations of HACCP, food-safety, and consumer-protection requirements.
• Advise 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 tests to detect microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Verify 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 regarding animal-health restrictions and refused-entry lots.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive benefits package; specific eligibility and benefits depend on position type.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program information is provided.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level