Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Saint James, MN

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe products by applying inspection methods, determining and documenting non-compliance with regulatory requirements, and initiating enforcement action when warranted. The inspector verifies that meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments’ Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively carried out to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration. The work includes reviewing records, observing plant operations, conducting hands-on verification, preparing detailed Non-Compliance Records, assessing corrective and preventive actions, identifying trends, and determining when regulatory control or enforcement action is necessary.

The position also involves oversight related to other consumer protections, such as economic adulteration and misbranding. Inspectors communicate regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; explain and defend determinations; discuss corrective plans; resolve differing interpretations; and advise other Agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters. They conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to investigate potential problem areas and industry trends, including tests for microbes, residues, and contaminants.

For import oversight, the inspector ensures that meat and poultry products approved for import comply with Federal regulations, authorizes entry of compliant products, and refuses entry of products that do not meet requirements. The inspector coordinates with other Federal agencies on issues 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 Des Moines District.

The work is performed in a hazardous environment and requires a pre-employment physical examination. Training is a condition of employment: it must begin within 90 days of the effective date of selection and be completed successfully within 12 months. The position may be eligible for the Consumer Safety Inspector Accelerated Promotion Program and, if offered with further promotion potential, may include a career development plan. Promotion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Must meet the specialized experience or education qualifications for the applicable GS-05, GS-07, GS-08, or GS-09 level.
• GS-05 experience qualification: At least 52 weeks of qualifying experience involving regulated food commodities or other ingestible substances, including relevant sampling or testing, reporting findings, communicating with others, or making determinations against established standards.
• GS-07 experience qualification: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including independently carrying out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis.
• GS-08 experience qualification: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-07, including experience with Federal meat, poultry, and egg inspection laws; basic SSOP and HACCP principles; basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• GS-09 experience qualification: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, with more independent work that may include recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station.
• Education may qualify in lieu of experience: For GS-05, a bachelor’s degree with a major or at least 24 semester credits in specified related fields; for GS-07, one full year of directly related graduate education; for GS-09, two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master’s degree. Combinations of qualifying education and experience may also apply as described in the announcement.
• Must begin required training within 90 days of selection and successfully complete it within 12 months.
• Subject to satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination and meet the position’s physical and medical functional requirements.
• Must successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Must use direct deposit for Federal payments.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Must comply with FSIS assignment restrictions concerning family and personal relationships.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure they produce safe products, using appropriate inspection methods.
• Determine, document, and report non-compliance with regulatory requirements and initiate enforcement action when warranted.
• Verify that meat and poultry establishments’ SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented.
• Review records, observe operations, and conduct hands-on verification of regulatory compliance.
• Assess corrective and preventive actions, identify trends in non-compliance, and determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is needed.
• Conduct plant oversight relating to consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; communicate and defend non-compliance determinations and discuss corrective plans.
• Work with plant personnel and 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 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.
• Ensure 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 other stated conditions.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual may be available.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• $1,000 referral bonus award may be available, subject to eligibility and criteria.
• Potential eligibility for the Consumer Safety Inspector Accelerated Promotion Program.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

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