Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service • Ferrisburg, VT

13h • Onsite

About The Position

The Consumer Safety Inspector ensures that regulated establishments produce safe meat, poultry, and other covered products by conducting inspections and applying appropriate inspection methods. The inspector identifies and documents noncompliance with regulatory requirements, determines when regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted, and evaluates whether establishments’ corrective or preventive actions are acceptable and effective.

The role verifies that establishments’ Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented. Inspectors review records, observe operations, conduct hands-on verification, and prepare detailed Non-Compliance Records. They also conduct regulatory oversight related to consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding, and communicate requirements and inspection findings to plant managers, owners, colleagues, and other stakeholders.

The position includes conducting surveys, sampling, and tests for potential problem areas and industry trends, including testing for microbes, residues, or contaminants. It also involves overseeing imported meat and poultry products: authorizing entry for compliant products, refusing entry for products that fail federal requirements, and coordinating with other federal agencies on related matters.

The employee will primarily work in one plant but may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Philadelphia District. Shifts and species vary by assignment. The work is performed in a hazardous environment and requires successful completion of training as a condition of employment, a pre-employment medical examination, and the ability to meet the stated physical and medical requirements. The announcement describes positions at GS-05, GS-07, GS-08, and GS-09 levels, with potential career development and possible promotion subject to requirements and management recommendation; promotion is not guaranteed.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• For GS-05, have at least 52 weeks of qualifying specialized experience, or qualify through the stated education or education-and-experience combination.
• For GS-07, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-05, including independently carrying out routine, standard assignments, or qualify through the stated graduate education or combination.
• For GS-08, have at least one year of specialized experience 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 statistics for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.
• For GS-09, have at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-08, including more independent work that may involve recommending refusal of exports or providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station, or qualify through the stated graduate education or combination.
• Specialized experience must provide knowledge of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption, such as through inspection, sampling, quality control, sanitation, field testing, reporting findings, or ensuring conformance with standards.
• Complete required training within 90 days of the effective selection date and successfully complete it within 12 months.
• Meet applicable background investigation and/or fingerprint adjudication requirements.
• Successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served.
• Successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination and meet the position’s physical and medical requirements.
• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Register with Selective Service or be exempt if a male born after December 31, 1959.
• Use direct deposit for federal payments.
• Meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the announcement closing date.
• For the GS-05 education pathway, have a bachelor’s degree with specified study or at least 24 semester hours of coursework in listed fields; the announcement also permits qualifying combinations of education and experience.
• For the GS-07 education pathway, have one full year of directly related graduate education or a qualifying combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
• For the GS-09 education pathway, have two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master’s degree, or a qualifying combination of graduate education and specialized experience.
• Sign a two-year service agreement to receive the $5,000 sign-on incentive; satisfactory performance and conduct are required, and funds may be collected for uncompleted service.

Responsibilities

• Inspect regulated establishments to ensure products are safe and determine compliance with applicable requirements.
• Verify that establishments’ SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively implemented.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification of compliance.
• Document noncompliance in detailed Non-Compliance Records and determine whether regulatory control or enforcement action is warranted.
• Assess the acceptability and effectiveness of corrective or preventive actions and identify trends in noncompliance.
• Conduct regulatory oversight concerning other consumer protections, including economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Explain legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others; discuss plant SSOP, HACCP plans, and food safety programs.
• Communicate and defend noncompliance determinations and discuss plans for addressing noncompliance.
• Work with others to resolve problems and clarify differing interpretations of HACCP, food safety, and consumer protection requirements.
• Advise other 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 interests.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and testing for microbes, residues, or contaminants.
• Verify that imported products meet applicable federal requirements; authorize entry of compliant products or refuse entry of noncompliant products.
• 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 and stated conditions.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual may be available to selectees.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program information is provided.
• A $1,000 referral bonus award may be available subject to eligibility and criteria.
• Accelerated Promotion Program may be available, subject to completion of a mandatory training plan and program requirements.
• Federal employee benefits package for eligible employees and their families.

What This Job Offers

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