Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Carlstadt, NJ

11d

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe products by conducting inspections, identifying and documenting noncompliance, and initiating enforcement action when warranted. The role verifies that meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments meet regulatory requirements for Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, and that these programs prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration. The inspector reviews records, observes plant operations, conducts hands-on verification, and assesses corrective and preventive actions and patterns of noncompliance.

The position also conducts oversight related to consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding; performs sampling, surveys, and tests to identify microbes, residues, contaminants, and other potential issues; and ensures imported meat and poultry products comply with federal requirements. The inspector communicates regulatory requirements and inspection findings to establishment personnel, works with them and other stakeholders to resolve differing interpretations, and advises agency staff on inspection and enforcement matters. Duties may include authorizing entry or refusing entry of imported products and coordinating with other federal agencies. 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 successfully completed within 12 months.

Requirements

• U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• At least 18 years of age.
• Able to read, speak, write, and communicate effectively in English.
• Complete required training, beginning within 90 days of selection and successfully completing it within 12 months.
• Satisfy background investigation and/or fingerprint check requirements and successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination.
• Males born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System or be exempt from registration.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Meet the specialized experience or education requirements for the applicable grade level. GS-5 requires at least 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 recurring duties, or qualifying graduate education or a combination. GS-8 requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, including experience 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 requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8 and more independent work, potentially including recommending refusal of exports or temporary coverage outside the official duty station, or qualifying graduate education or a combination.
• 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 or uneven floors and catwalks and climb stairs and ladders.
• Be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting up to 50 pounds.
• Have upper-body manual dexterity, including use of 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.
• Be subject to assignment restrictions concerning family and personal relationships with regulated industry.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure they produce safe products, using appropriate inspection methods and determining whether regulatory requirements are met.
• Document noncompliance and initiate enforcement action when warranted.
• Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments' SSOPs and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and effectively prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification of regulatory compliance; prepare detailed records of noncompliance.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary and assess whether corrective or preventive actions are acceptable and effective, whether noncompliance trends exist, and whether enforcement is warranted.
• Conduct regulatory oversight concerning other consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; discuss establishment SSOPs, HACCP plans, and other food safety programs.
• Communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss plans for addressing noncompliance.
• 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 gather data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other agency interests.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and tests to detect specified microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Verify that meat and poultry products approved for import comply with applicable federal regulations; authorize entry 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 a signed two-year service agreement, satisfactory performance and conduct, and agency staffing needs and budget availability.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual (CSALA).
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Accelerated promotion program, subject to eligibility and completion of a training plan.
• Potential referral bonus of $1,000, subject to program restrictions and conditions.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

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