Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Asheboro, NC

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe meat and poultry products by applying inspection methods, identifying and documenting regulatory 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 operations, conducting hands-on verification, and preparing detailed documentation of noncompliance.

The inspector evaluates corrective and preventive actions, identifies trends, and determines whether regulatory control or enforcement action is needed. The role includes oversight of consumer protections such as preventing economic adulteration and misbranding; communicating requirements and findings to plant managers, owners, and others; resolving differences in interpretation; and advising other agency personnel on inspection and enforcement matters.

The inspector also performs sampling, surveys, and tests to gather data on potential problem areas and industry trends, including health and safety testing for microbes, residues, and contaminants. Import-related duties include verifying compliance with federal regulations, authorizing entry or refusing noncompliant meat and poultry products, and coordinating with other federal agencies on matters such as animal health restrictions and refused-entry lots. Shifts and species vary by assignment, and 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 completed within 12 months. The position has promotion potential to GS-9; promotion is not guaranteed and depends on completing a development plan and management recommendation.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status.
• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must read, speak, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Must begin required training within 90 days of selection and successfully complete it within 12 months.
• Successful background investigation and/or fingerprint check, as applicable.
• Successful completion of a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Successful pre-employment medical examination and ability to meet the position’s physical and medical requirements.
• Successful E-Verify employment verification check.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System or exempt from registration.
• Must use direct deposit for federal payments.
• GS-5 qualification: at least 52 weeks of qualifying specialized experience involving regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption, including relevant sampling or testing, reporting findings, maintaining effective contacts, or comparable work; qualifying education or a combination of education and experience may substitute as described in the posting.
• GS-7 qualification: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, including independently carrying out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis; directly related graduate education or a combination may substitute as described in the posting.
• GS-8 qualification: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, including work with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts; basic SSOP and HACCP principles; mathematics and elementary statistics for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• GS-9 qualification: at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, with work at a more independent level, potentially including recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station; qualifying graduate education or a combination may substitute as described in the posting.
• Meet the physical requirements, including full range of motion for repetitive twisting and overhead arm work; ability to stand and walk on slippery or uneven floors and catwalks and climb stairs and ladders; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds and occasionally up to 50 pounds; upper-body manual dexterity and normal touch sensation in both hands; and required vision and color discrimination.
• Be subject to assignment restrictions concerning family and personal relationships with regulated industry, as described in FSIS Directive 4735.9.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure safe products by applying inspection methods, identifying noncompliance, documenting findings, and initiating enforcement when warranted.
• Verify that meat and poultry establishments’ SSOPs and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and effectively prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification of regulatory compliance.
• Prepare detailed records of noncompliance and determine whether regulatory control action is necessary.
• Assess the acceptability and effectiveness of corrective or preventive actions, identify trends in noncompliance, and determine whether enforcement is warranted.
• Conduct regulatory oversight relating to consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss plans to address findings.
• Work with individuals to resolve problems and clarify differing interpretations of HACCP, food safety, and consumer protection requirements.
• Advise other agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on relevant inspection and enforcement matters.
• Perform sampling, surveys, and tests to collect data on potential problems, industry trends, and other agency interests.
• Conduct health and safety sampling and tests for microbes, residues, and contaminants.
• Verify that meat and poultry products approved for import comply with 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 signed 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.
• 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