Meat Inspector Trainee

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

3d

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Meat Inspection is hiring a Meat Inspector Trainee headquartered in Franklin or Madison County. The trainee receives instruction and mentoring from higher-level meat inspectors while learning to inspect registered meat plants, slaughter plants, and custom-exempt red meat or poultry processing facilities. The role supports enforcement of state and federal sanitation, humane-slaughter, meat-processing, and food-safety requirements.

The trainee learns to inspect animals before slaughter and carcasses and products after slaughter; evaluate sanitation, equipment, facilities, and personnel; review product labels, formulations, procedures, and quality-control records; and assist with sampling and verification activities. Duties also include documenting inspection results, monitoring corrective actions, attending training, and assisting with other meat-inspection work.

This is a permanent, full-time classified position with a standard 40-hour work week. The position requires flexible hours or shifts, travel, weekend work, and rotating six-month assignments on second shift. The role is headquartered in Franklin or Madison County; the posting lists London, Ohio, as the work location. Compensation is $23.65.

Requirements

• One course in animal science, agribusiness, and/or food business management; or three months of experience in the livestock industry or industrial meat and poultry processing, plus one course in biological sciences or chemistry (high school or college).
• Must be able to provide own transportation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license from the state of residence in order to operate a state vehicle.
• Must work flexible hours and/or shifts, travel (including some overnight stays), and work weekends.
• Must be able to meet the role’s physical and environmental demands, including prolonged standing, climbing, working on elevated platforms, and exposure to animals, machinery, extreme temperature changes, slippery surfaces, animal waste, infectious disease, loud equipment, and possible injury hazards.
• A color deficiency test will be administered before the interview; candidates who fail will not be further considered.
• The selected candidate must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening, including urinalysis.

Responsibilities

• Receive training and mentoring from higher-level meat inspectors and assist with inspections of registered meat plants, slaughter plants, and custom-exempt red meat or poultry processing facilities.
• Learn and assist with ante-mortem and postmortem inspections and enforcement of sanitation, humane-slaughter, meat-processing, and food-safety requirements.
• Examine live animals or poultry before slaughter for signs of abnormal appearance or behavior, and contact a veterinarian and record results when needed.
• Determine the age of beef cattle through dentition when needed for backbone removal related to BSE concerns.
• Inspect heads, lymph nodes, viscera, carcasses, and offal for pathological conditions and determine whether carcasses are clean and wholesome.
• Inspect equipment, facilities, personnel, pest and rodent controls, pesticide and chemical use, potable water, and waste and sewage systems for compliance with sanitation requirements.
• Halt production when poor sanitation or non-compliance requires it; ensure proper disposition of condemned products, sanitary dressing, and carcass branding.
• Learn labeling requirements and assist in reviewing labels, product formulations, production procedures, quality-control programs and records, and laboratory reports.
• Check meat-product formulations for compliance with federal regulations and monitor inspection procedures and production compliance.
• Learn sampling procedures and assist in submitting products for analysis of microbiological adulterants and consumer protection.
• Require meat slaughter plants to conduct generic E. coli microbial testing to verify process controls against fecal contamination.
• Learn to document verification results and use the Public Health Information System (PHIS).
• Reinspect meat or poultry products and non-meat ingredients intended for further processing or distribution.
• Inspect critical control points in meat and poultry preparation and handling, including formulation, temperature controls, procedures, restricted ingredients, and sampling.
• Prepare, maintain, and monitor records, reports, and formulations concerning product condemnations and retentions; control sanitation discrepancies and corrective actions.
• Assist with industry quality-control programs and analyze and submit report deviations, travel reports, and pay reports through proper channels.
• Attend training courses, refresher seminars, and on-the-job training activities.
• Assist higher-level inspectors with other meat inspection duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional Ohio Deferred Compensation

What This Job Offers

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