MEAT & POULTRY INSPECTOR TRAINEE - CIRCUIT 2-2 (GRUNDY CO.)

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

2d•$4,373 - $5,703

About The Position

The Department of Agriculture is hiring a Meat and Poultry Inspector Trainee for Circuit 2-2. The role helps ensure the production of safe and wholesome meat and poultry products and supports the Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection’s goal of maintaining product quality. This is a regional position serving designated worksites, with the employee’s home location serving as the daily operational headquarters. The employee must reside in Grundy, LaSalle, or Kendall County. Under direct supervision, the trainee participates in a six-to-twelve-month agency training program that includes orientation, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training in animal and poultry slaughter and meat and poultry processing. The employee learns inspection techniques and procedures for maintaining state and federal standards and receives controlled assignments under close supervision by veterinary and supervisory personnel. The position involves travel to inspection sites and attendance at workshops and other learning activities. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., although hours may vary. Overtime, including evening and weekend work, may be required.

Requirements

Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to high school; courses in algebra, biology, or chemistry are preferred.
Complete a name-based background screening and disclose criminal history.
Successfully pass a preemployment physical.
Ability to travel for work and possess an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Ability to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, and to work evenings and weekends when requested or required.
Ability to perform medium work, including lifting up to 50 pounds at a time and frequently lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Ability to tolerate unpleasant odors in slaughterhouses and meat preparation areas, extreme cold in meat lockers, and heat in processing areas, and to use safety practices around dangerous meat-cutting and processing machinery.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely orally and in writing to explain regulations and inspection results and prepare inspection reports and records.
Residency in Grundy, LaSalle, or Kendall County.

Nice To Haves

Education beyond high school, preferably an associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or advanced degree.
A bachelor’s or advanced degree in science or agriculture.
Experience butchering, slaughtering, and/or processing animals for food.
Experience observing postmortem examinations of animals.
Working knowledge of Hazard Analysis – Critical Control Point Plans (HACCP).
Experience completing HACCP records.
Working knowledge of sanitation and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP).
Elementary knowledge of diseases or abnormal conditions of animals, poultry, carcasses, or meat and poultry products.
Elementary knowledge of how to identify adulterated product.

Responsibilities

Participate in an agency-sponsored training program, receiving orientation, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training in animal and poultry slaughter and meat and poultry processing.
Learn techniques and procedures used in meat and poultry inspection to maintain state and federal standards, completing controlled assignments under close veterinary and supervisory supervision.
Perform antemortem inspections of live animals and/or poultry before slaughter to identify conditions that may indicate abnormalities or disease.
Complete the Employee Development Guide for basic meat inspection and the Department of Agriculture’s slaughter and processing training courses.
Travel to, attend, and participate in workshops, meetings, institutes, and other activities that provide relevant learning experiences.
Travel to designated sites to perform inspections.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.