Meat & Poultry Inspector Trainee - Circuit 3-3 (Livingston Co)
About The Position
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hiring a Meat and Poultry Inspector Trainee for Circuit 3-3. This regional position supports the Bureau of Meat and Poultry Inspection in protecting the food production system and ensuring that meat and poultry products are safe and wholesome. The bureau annually examines more than 400 establishments that provide wholesale meat or meat products for human consumption. Under direct supervision, the trainee completes an agency-sponsored training program lasting six to twelve months. Training includes orientation, classroom instruction, and on-the-job learning about animal and poultry slaughter, meat and poultry processing, inspection techniques, and applicable state and federal standards. Assignments are controlled and closely supervised by veterinary and supervisory personnel. The trainee travels to designated sites to perform inspections, attends relevant learning activities, and completes required basic meat inspection and slaughter and processing training courses. This position serves in a regional capacity. The employee must reside in Livingston County, Ford County, or the portion of McLean County east of Interstates 39 and 74, and uses their home location as the base of daily operational headquarters for serving designated worksites. Reporting to the Springfield headquarters is required as operational needs dictate. Overtime, including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime, may be required, including evenings and weekends.
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.
- Ability to travel in the performance of duties.
- 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 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.
- Residency in Livingston County, Ford County, or McLean County east of Interstates 39 and 74.
- 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.
Nice To Haves
- Education beyond high school, with preference in this order: associate degree, bachelor's degree, and advanced degree.
- 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 identifying adulterated products.
Responsibilities
- Participate in a six-to-twelve-month agency-sponsored training program, including 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 of veterinary and supervisory personnel.
- Travel to sites to perform inspections.
- Under close supervision, inspect live animals and/or poultry before slaughter for conditions indicating 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 that are reasonably within the scope of the position.
Benefits
- Flexible work schedules in many program areas
- 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
- Twelve paid sick days annually
- Ten to twenty-five paid vacation days based on years of service
- Three paid personal days, prorated based on start date
- Thirteen to fourteen paid state holidays annually
Stand Out From the Crowd
Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.
What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
High school or GED
