MEAT & POULTRY INSPECTOR TRAINEE - CIRCUIT 3-2 (MCLEAN CO)
About The Position
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hiring a Meat and Poultry Inspector Trainee for Circuit 3-2. This regional role helps protect the food production system by supporting the production of safe and wholesome meat and poultry products. The Department annually examines more than 400 establishments that provide wholesale meat or meat products for human consumption. Under direct supervision, the trainee participates in an agency-sponsored training program lasting six to twelve months, including orientation, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training in animal and poultry slaughter and meat and poultry processing. The trainee learns inspection techniques and procedures used to maintain state and federal standards, performs controlled assignments under veterinary and supervisory personnel, and travels to designated sites to conduct inspections. The role is based from the employee’s home location for daily operations, and requires residency in McLean, Woodford, Tazewell, Dewitt, Piatt, or Logan County. Reporting to the Springfield headquarters may be required as operational needs dictate. The position is full-time and salaried, with a stated schedule of 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday; hours may vary. Overtime, including evening and weekend work, may be required. The position involves medium physical work, exposure to unpleasant odors, extreme cold and heat, and working safely around meat-cutting and processing machinery.
Requirements
- Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to a high school education; 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 in the performance of duties 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 express ideas clearly and concisely orally and in writing to explain regulations and inspection results and prepare inspection reports and records.
- Residency in McLean, Woodford, Tazewell, Dewitt, Piatt, or Logan County.
Nice To Haves
- Education beyond high school, preferably an associate, bachelor’s, or advanced degree.
- A bachelor’s or advanced degree in science or agriculture.
- Experience in butchering, slaughtering, and/or processing animals for food.
- Experience observing postmortem examinations of animals.
- Working knowledge of Hazard Analysis – Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans.
- Experience completing HACCP records.
- Working knowledge of sanitation and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP).
- Elementary knowledge of animal or poultry diseases or abnormal conditions, carcasses, or meat and poultry products.
- Elementary knowledge of identifying adulterated products.
Responsibilities
- Participate in a six- to twelve-month agency-sponsored training program involving orientation, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training in animal and poultry slaughter and meat and poultry processing.
- Learn meat and poultry inspection techniques and procedures used to maintain state and federal standards.
- Perform controlled assignments under close supervision by veterinary and supervisory personnel.
- Travel to designated sites to perform inspections.
- Under close supervision, conduct antemortem inspection of live animals and/or poultry before slaughter for conditions indicative of abnormalities or disease.
- Complete the Employee Development Guide for basic meat inspection and the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s slaughter and processing training courses.
- Attend and participate in workshops, meetings, institutes, and other activities that provide relevant learning experiences.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position.
Benefits
- Health, life, vision, and dental insurance.
- 12 weeks of paid maternity/paternity leave.
- Pension plan.
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- Deferred compensation and other pre-tax benefit programs.
- 12 paid sick days annually.
- 10 to 25 paid vacation days based on years of service.
- 3 paid personal days, prorated based on start date.
- 13 to 14 paid state holidays annually.
- Flexible work schedules in many program areas.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
