Meat Inspector Trainee

State of Ohio • London, OH

2d • Onsite

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 and/or poultry processing facilities. The role involves learning and assisting with ante-mortem and postmortem inspections, sanitation and humane-slaughter enforcement, product and facility checks, sampling, records, and compliance activities. No agricultural background is required; training is provided by agency experts.

This is a classified, permanent, full-time position represented by OCSEA, with a standard 40-hour work week and compensation of $23.65. Working conditions include flexible hours and/or shifts, weekend work, rotating six-month assignments on second shift, required travel (sometimes overnight), and exposure to temperature extremes, slippery surfaces, animals, animal waste, infectious disease, loud equipment, and machinery. The employee must provide transportation or be able to operate a state vehicle and hold a valid driver’s license from their state of residence.

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.
• One course in biological sciences or chemistry, such as a high-school or college course.
• Must be able to provide own transportation.
• Must have a valid driver’s license from the state of residence to operate a state vehicle.
• Must be able to work flexible hours and/or shifts, weekends, and rotating six-month periods on second shift.
• Must be able to travel, including some overnight stays.
• A color deficiency test is administered before the interview; candidates who fail will not be further considered.
• The final candidate must undergo a criminal background check and drug screening, including testing for marijuana, subject to the stated policy.

Responsibilities

• Receive training and mentoring from higher-level meat inspectors and assist with inspections of registered meat plants, slaughter plants, and custom-exempt processing facilities.
• Learn and assist with ante-mortem and postmortem inspections and enforce sanitation, humane-slaughter, meat-processing, and food-safety policies and procedures.
• Visually examine live animals and/or poultry before slaughter; contact a veterinarian for disposition of unhealthy animals and record the results.
• Determine the age of cattle through dentition when required for removal of the backbone due to BSE concerns.
• Examine heads, lymph nodes, viscera, carcasses, and offal for pathological conditions and determine whether carcasses are clean and wholesome.
• Inspect equipment, facilities, personnel, pest control, chemical and pesticide use, potable water supplies, and waste and sewage systems for sanitation compliance; halt production when sanitation or compliance deficiencies require it.
• Ensure proper disposition of unfit or condemned products, enforce sanitary dressing procedures, and control carcass branding.
• Learn labeling requirements and assist with review of labels, formulations, production procedures, quality-control programs and records, and laboratory reports.
• Check meat-food-product formulations for regulatory compliance and periodically monitor inspection procedures and product production.
• Learn sampling procedures and assist with submitting products for analysis of microbiological adulterants; require plants to conduct generic E. coli testing to verify process controls.
• Learn to document verification results and use the Public Health Information System (PHIS).
• Assist with re-inspection of meat and poultry products and non-meat ingredients intended for further processing or distribution.
• Inspect critical control points, including formulation, temperature controls, preparation procedures, restricted ingredients, and sampling.
• Prepare, maintain, and monitor records, reports, and formulations concerning condemnations and retentions; control sanitation discrepancies and corrective actions.
• Assist industry quality-control programs and analyze and submit reports, travel records, and pay reports through proper channels.
• Attend required training courses, refresher seminars, and on-the-job training activities.
• Perform other meat inspection duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period
• Paid vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 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
• Optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED