MEAT & POULTRY INSPECTOR TRAINEE - CIRCUIT 3-3 (LIVINGSTON CO)

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

2d•$4,373 - $5,703

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hiring a Meat and Poultry Inspector Trainee for Circuit 3-3. The position helps protect the food production system and supports the Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection’s goal of ensuring meat and poultry product quality and safety. The Department examines more than 400 establishments that provide wholesale meat or meat products for human consumption. Under direct and close supervision, the trainee participates in an agency-sponsored training program lasting six to twelve months. Training includes orientation, classroom instruction, on-the-job instruction, and controlled assignments covering animal and poultry slaughter, meat and poultry processing, and inspection techniques and procedures. The employee travels to worksites to perform inspections and must complete the Employee Development Guide for basic meat inspection and the Department’s slaughter and processing training courses. This regional position is based from the employee’s home location for daily operations and requires residency in Livingston County, Ford County, or McLean County east of Interstates 39 and 74. The employee may need to report to the Springfield headquarters as operational needs require. Work hours are generally 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, but may vary. Overtime, including evening and weekend work, may be required.

Requirements

Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of high school; courses in algebra, biology, or chemistry are preferred.
Complete a name-based background screening and disclose criminal history.
Ability to travel as part of the job and hold an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Ability to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, and to work evenings and weekends when required.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds at a time and frequently lift or carry 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.
Ability to use safety practices around dangerous meat-cutting and processing machinery.
Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing, explain regulations and inspection results, and prepare inspection reports and records.
Residency in Livingston County, Ford County, or McLean County east of Interstates 39 and 74.

Nice To Haves

Education beyond high school, preferably an associate, bachelor’s, or advanced degree.
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 in animals, poultry, carcasses, or meat and poultry products.
Elementary knowledge of how to identify adulterated product.

Responsibilities

Participate in a six-to-twelve-month agency-sponsored training program, including orientation, classroom instruction, on-the-job training, and closely supervised assignments.
Learn inspection techniques and procedures used to maintain state and federal standards for meat and poultry products.
Travel to worksites to perform inspections.
Under close supervision, perform antemortem inspection of live animals and/or poultry before slaughter for conditions that may indicate abnormalities or disease.
Complete the Employee Development Guide for basic meat inspection and the Department’s slaughter and processing training courses.
Attend and participate in workshops, meetings, institutes, and other activities that provide learning experiences relevant to meat and poultry inspection.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.