Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Lewiston, NC

20h • Onsite

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 action 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 effectively prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration. Work includes reviewing records, observing plant operations, performing hands-on verification, assessing corrective and preventive actions, identifying trends in noncompliance, and preparing detailed records of findings.

The position also involves consumer-protection oversight, including matters such as economic adulteration and misbranding. Inspectors communicate regulatory requirements and findings to plant managers, owners, and others; discuss food-safety programs and corrective plans; resolve differences in interpretation; and advise other Agency personnel on inspection and enforcement matters. Duties may include collecting samples, conducting surveys and tests for microbes, residues, or contaminants, and verifying compliance of imported meat and poultry products. Inspectors authorize entry of compliant products or refuse entry of products that do not meet Federal requirements, coordinating as needed with other Federal agencies.

Shifts and species vary by assignment. The employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Raleigh District. Training is required: it must begin within 90 days of selection and be successfully completed within 12 months. The position has promotion potential to GS-9, subject to completion of a development plan and management recommendation; promotion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Must complete required training, beginning within 90 days of selection and finishing within 12 months.
• Must satisfactorily complete a background investigation and/or fingerprint check and a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System or be exempt from registration.
• Must successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Must meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level. GS-5 requires 52 weeks of qualifying experience involving regulated food commodities or related products, or qualifying education or a combination of education and experience.
• GS-7 requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, including independently performing standard and recurring duties, or qualifying graduate education or a combination.
• GS-8 requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, including knowledge of Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts; SSOP and HACCP principles; basic mathematics and elementary statistics for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• GS-9 requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, with work at a more independent level, potentially including recommending refusal of exports or temporary coverage outside the official duty station; qualifying graduate education or a combination may also apply.
• Must be physically and medically able to perform the essential job functions without posing a direct threat to self or others.
• Must have full range of motion for rapid repetitive twisting and overhead arm work; be able 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 of up to 50 pounds.
• Must have upper-body manual dexterity 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 distinguish shades of color. Significant color blindness may be disqualifying.
• Hearing loss or use of hearing amplification will be assessed case by case.
• Federal employees must receive payments by direct deposit.
• Employees may be subject to assignment restrictions related to family and personal relationships with regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure production of safe products using appropriate inspection methods.
• Determine and document regulatory noncompliance and initiate enforcement action when warranted.
• Verify that meat and poultry establishments’ SSOPs and HACCP plans comply with regulations and effectively prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration.
• Review records, observe plant operations, conduct hands-on verification, and prepare detailed records of noncompliance.
• Assess corrective and preventive actions, identify trends in noncompliance, and determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is necessary.
• Conduct regulatory oversight concerning consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; discuss food-safety programs and plans for addressing noncompliance.
• Communicate and defend findings, resolve differences in interpretation, and advise other Agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters.
• Collect samples, complete surveys, and conduct tests to obtain data on potential problem areas, industry trends, and other Agency issues.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and tests 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 animal-health restrictions and refused-entry lots.

Benefits

• $5,000 sign-on bonus, subject to a two-year service agreement, satisfactory performance and conduct, and applicable conditions.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual may be available.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Referral bonus of $1,000, subject to eligibility and program restrictions.
• Comprehensive federal employee benefits package; specific eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

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