Meat Inspector Trainee - District 2

State of Ohio • Mansfield, OH

1d • $47,757 - $58,074 • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Agriculture's Division of Meat Inspection is seeking motivated individuals to join their team as Meat Inspector Trainees. This role offers an opportunity to launch a meaningful career protecting Ohio’s food supply and supporting the agricultural community. This District 2 position will be headquartered in Crawford, Richland, or Knox County. The trainee will receive training and mentoring from higher-level meat inspectors to learn procedures and assist in conducting inspections of various meat processing facilities. The position involves learning to perform ante mortem and postmortem inspections, enforcing sanitation and food safety policies, and ensuring the wholesomeness of meat products. This position is covered by the OCSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement, with internal bargaining unit members having selection rights.

Requirements

• 1 course in animal science, agribusiness and/or food business management OR 3 months experience in livestock industry/industrial meat and poultry processing
• 1 course in biological sciences or chemistry (e.g., high school or college)
• Must be able to provide own transportation OR Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
• Must have a valid driver's license from state of residence
• Must provide own transportation

Nice To Haves

• No ag background, no problem! You'll learn all about agriculture from our top-notch experts who dedicate their lives to a cleaner, safer, better Ohio.

Responsibilities

• Receives training and mentoring from higher level meat inspector to learn procedures and assists in conducting inspections of registered meat plants, private, commercial slaughtering plants and custom-exempt red meat and/or poultry processing facilities
• Learns to perform ante mortem and postmortem inspections of carcasses and enforces state and federal sanitation, humane slaughter, meat processing and food safety policies, procedures and guidelines
• Conducts visual examination of live animal and/or poultry prior to slaughter while looking for abnormalities in appearance and behavior such as sick, hurt and/or non-ambulatory
• Contacts veterinarian for final disposition of unhealthy animals and records results
• Makes determination of age of beef through dentition of cattle 30 months or older for removal of backbone due to concerns of BSE
• Performs visual, tactile and/or incisory inspection of head, lymph nodes, viscera, carcass and offal to include liver, heart, brain and tripe to determine whether or not pathological conditions are present, and carcass is in clean and wholesome condition
• Inspects all equipment, facilities and personnel to ensure acceptable sanitation levels and prohibiting use of unsanitary, unsafe and/or unapproved equipment and facilities until cleaned and/or corrected to include pest and rodent control, use of pesticides and chemicals, condition and use of potable water supply and waste and sewage systems
• Halts production for poor sanitation and/or non-compliance
• Assures proper disposition of unfit and condemned products, enforces sanitary dressing procedures and controls carcass branding
• Learns labeling requirements and assists in reviewing labeling materials
• Reviews proposed labels, product formulations, production procedures, quality control programs, quality control records and laboratory reports for state inspected meat and/or poultry establishments
• Checks formulations of all types of meat food products for compliance with federal regulations and periodically monitors inspection procedures for maintaining compliance in production of meat products
• Learns sampling procedures and assists higher level inspector with submission of product samples of products for analysis for microbiological adulterants and for consumer protection
• Requires meat slaughter plants to conduct microbial testing for generic E.coli to verify adequacy of process controls for prevention of fecal contamination
• Learns how to document verification results and navigate in the Public Health Information System (PHIS)
• Assists higher level inspector with other meat inspection duties as assigned
• Performs re-inspection of meat and/or poultry products and non-meat ingredients for such products intended for further processing or distribution
• Inspects critical control points in preparation and handling of meat or poultry products (i.e., monitors formulation, temperature controls, preparation procedures, use of restricted ingredients and sampling) to ensure compliance
• Prepares, maintains and monitors required records, reports and formulations concerning product condemnations and retentions
• Controls all sanitation discrepancies and corrective actions
• Assists in industry quality control programs
• Analyzes report deviations, travel and pay reports and submits such through proper channels
• Attends training courses (e.g., Incidence Command Systems training courses; Inspection System Procedures including Homeland Security) Refresher seminars and on-job training activities

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the Ohio Med PPO plan.
• Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance
• Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave
• Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS)
• Deferred Compensation
• Expanded maternity health care benefits available to state employees enrolled in the Ohio Med PPO and Ohio Med NN (narrow network) medical plan options.
• Several prenatal, childbirth, and post-childbirth services are provided at no out-of-pocket cost to employees utilizing network providers.
• Medications prescribed for both antepartum and postpartum conditions (e.g., morning sickness, postpartum depression).
• Prescription drugs that are directly related to maternity care are covered with no copay.
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

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