Inspector V

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Victoria, TX

About The Position

This position is posted for Edna, Texas, and all surrounding counties; the headquarters assignment can be changed at any time to accommodate the mission and goals of the Meat Safety Assurance Unit. Under the direct supervision of the Meat Safety Assurance (MSA) Circuit Manager and the general management of the MSA Unit Manager, performs complex inspections, investigations, and quality assurance reviews at establishments with a state grant (permit/license) to perform livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing operations to ensure compliance with State and Federal laws, rules/regulations, and agency policies. Evaluates and reviews establishment procedures and implementation and prepares and distributes reports and correspondence dealing with the results. Through the Federal/State cooperative inspection program, carries out the functions as herein described in establishments with a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) grant (permit/license) but with MSA staffing. Safe operation of either a state-owned vehicle or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and an acceptable driving record must be maintained in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation; such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of all phases of livestock slaughter operations and meat/poultry processing and fabrication procedures
Knowledge of Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), principles and application of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP), principles and application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), humane slaughter, pathogen reduction, and other mandated quality control programs within the meat/poultry industry
Knowledge of inspection protocols specific to a HACCP establishment environment
Knowledge of State and Federal laws, rules, regulations, directives, notices, and other regulatory documents
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of veterinary medicine; animal and human disease prevention and control methods and procedures; zoonosis diseases and controls; food animal anatomy; epidemiology; techniques used in the collection of specimens and their testing; state and federal livestock disease control rules and regulations, methods, and practices
Working knowledge of regulations governing safe and effective insect and rodent control
Working knowledge of the basic rules of evidence
Skill in conducting inspections, in determining proper courses of action, and in using instruments or tools necessary to perform inspections and collect samples
Skill in applying basic mathematics using addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, decimals, percentages, parts per million, and weights/measures
Ability to prepare reports, to gather and analyze data, to interpret laws and regulations, and to train others
Ability to rationalize clearly, to exercise sound judgment, and evaluate words and phrases commonly used on meat product labels, in technical reports and similar documents
Ability to deal with people in a tactful manner and help them understand the full implications of the regulatory requirements found in State and Federal law, rules/regulations, and other regulatory documents
Ability to explain proper interpretation of technical requirements pertaining to SPS, SSOP, HACCP, humane slaughter, trade labeling
Ability to follow oral and written directions implicitly
Ability to establish and maintain working relationships and to express ideas clearly and concisely
Ability to detect the normal from the abnormal in the inspection process
Ability to pass a standardized color vision test
Ability to identify sanitary deficiencies and potential disease conditions of livestock
Ability to use the computer for word processing, spreadsheets, and email
Must possess a valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state.
Graduation from a standard senior high school or equivalent.

Nice To Haves

Course credit from an accredited two- or four-year college or university; and/or, course credit from an accredited two- or four-year college or university with major course work relevant to animal/food science, and/or livestock slaughter, and/or meat/poultry processing
Graduation from an accredited two- or four-year college or university; and/or, graduation from an accredited two- or four-year college or university with major course work relevant to animal/food science, and/or livestock slaughter, and/or meat/poultry processing
Training from the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) in, or equivalent education and/or experience of, Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), Sanitary Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Humane Slaughter, and/or food microbiological sampling
Experience in a public health and/or an animal health related field
Experience with all phases of livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing operations and procedures
Experience with state and/or federal laws, regulations/rules, and directives relevant to livestock slaughter and meat/poultry processing
Experience in a regulatory field requiring direct contact with the public
Experience in a regulatory/quality control position in a regulated food industry; and/or, experience as an inspector in a state and/or federal food inspection program
Experience in a regulatory/quality control position in a commercial livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing establishment; and/or, experience as an inspector in a state and/or federal regulatory meat/poultry inspection program
Experience writing reports and/or organizing, preparing, and presenting information in written and/or verbal format
Experience using computers for such functions as word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail programs
Experience in a position requiring direct contact with the public.

Responsibilities

Evaluates livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing establishments to determine continuous compliance with all applicable State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations.
Receives inspection schedules and reports the results using a computer and electronic mail.
Monitors establishment microbiological sampling systems and collects tissue samples for mandated State microbiological and economic sampling programs.
Evaluates formulae and methods used in preparing meat/poultry products pertaining to their potential as a vehicle for transmission of disease or disease producing organisms or their toxins.
Research policy, rules, regulations, directives, notices and other regulatory documents regarding proper identification and disposition of non-compliances noted during inspections and providing responses to establishment management’s inspection related questions.
Recognizes zoonotic diseases, reports them to the appropriate authority, and may participate in their investigation.
Serves as a relief inspector in livestock slaughter and/or meat/poultry processing establishment as directed by supervisor.
Promotes public education on sanitary practices through individual contacts and/or civic or other public meetings.
Actively participating and/or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation; such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Employee must have a valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver’s license or equivalent license from another state and maintain an acceptable driving record that meets the standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) by safely operating a personal vehicle or state-owned vehicle to conduct state business in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures, and Texas motor vehicle, traffic, and driving licensing law.

Benefits

DSHS offers insurance coverage and other benefits available through the State of Texas Group Benefits Plan administered by the Employee Retirement System of Texas (ERS).

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