Meat & Poultry Inspector Trainee - Circuit 4-1 (Sangamon Co)

State of Illinois•Springfield, MO

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Meat & Poultry Inspector Trainee participates in an agency-sponsored training program lasting six to twelve months. The program includes orientation, classroom instruction, and on-the-job training in animal and poultry slaughter and the processing of meat and poultry products. Under close supervision, the trainee learns inspection techniques and procedures used to maintain state and federal standards and completes controlled assignments under veterinary and supervisory personnel. The position serves regionally and travels to designated worksites to perform inspections. The employee must reside in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, or Macon County and use their home location as the base of daily operational headquarters. Headquarters reporting is required as operational needs dictate. The role has a Monday-through-Friday schedule, with hours that may vary, and overtime—including evenings and weekends—may be required. The trainee completes the Employee Development Guide for basic meat inspection and the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s slaughter and processing training courses. The position also involves attending workshops and other learning activities. The role requires tolerance for unpleasant odors, temperature extremes, and exposure to meat-cutting and processing machinery, as well as the ability to communicate inspection results and prepare reports and records.

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 self-disclose criminal history.
Successfully pass a preemployment physical.
Be able to travel in the performance of duties.
Hold an appropriate, valid driver’s license.
Be able to work overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, and work evenings and weekends when required.
Be able to perform medium work, including lifting up to 50 pounds at a time and frequently lifting or carrying objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Reside in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, or Macon County.
Tolerate unpleasant odors in slaughterhouses and meat preparation areas, extreme cold in meat lockers, and heat in processing areas.
Use safety practices around dangerous meat-cutting and processing machinery.
Express ideas clearly and concisely, orally and in writing, to explain regulations and inspection results and prepare reports and records.

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 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 diseases or abnormal conditions of 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, and on-the-job training.
Learn inspection techniques and procedures used to maintain state and federal standards for meat and poultry.
Complete controlled assignments under close supervision of veterinary and supervisory personnel.
Travel to worksites to perform inspections.
Under close supervision, perform antemortem inspections 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 Department of Agriculture’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.
Explain regulations and inspection results and prepare inspection reports and records.
Perform other duties as required or assigned within the scope of the position.