MEAT & POULTRY INSPECTOR - CIRCUIT 4-1 (SANGAMON CO.) Target Title for 59623

State of Illinois•Springfield, IL

2d•$5,557 - $7,626•Onsite

About The Position

The Illinois Department of Agriculture is hiring a Meat and Poultry Inspector for Circuit 4-1. This regional position helps protect the food production system and ensure safe, wholesome meat and poultry products. Inspectors work at designated state and/or federal plants and establishments, with a home location serving as the base of daily operational headquarters. The employee must reside in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, or Macon County and report to the Springfield headquarters as operational needs require. The position conducts inspections of animals, poultry, and meat and poultry products, including processing procedures, product formulations, and labeling. It also involves submitting samples for laboratory analysis and documenting inspection results. The role requires completing an agency-approved meat and poultry inspection training program. Overtime may be required, including evenings and weekends. The work includes exposure to unpleasant odors, extreme cold and heat, and dangerous meat-cutting and processing machinery, and is classified as medium work.

Requirements

Knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to high school; courses in algebra, biology, or chemistry are preferred.
Successful completion of an agency-approved meat and poultry inspection training program.
Complete a name-based background screening and self-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.
Ability to lift no more than 50 pounds at a time, with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
Residency in Sangamon, Christian, Logan, or Macon County.
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

Working knowledge of antemortem and postmortem inspection methods and techniques for meat-producing animals and poultry.
Working knowledge of laws, rules, and regulations governing meat and poultry inspection and processing.
Working knowledge of additives and preservatives used in meat and poultry processing.
Experience conducting antemortem and postmortem inspections of animals, poultry, carcasses, and parts to identify disease or abnormal conditions.
Experience removing, dissecting, and analyzing animal glands, organs, and parts for signs of obvious disease.
Elementary knowledge of computer hardware and software.
Experience operating a computer and agency software and database applications.
Experience analyzing processing procedures and formulations for compliance with laws and regulations.

Responsibilities

Perform processing inspections in state and/or federal plants on a variety of fresh, smoked, cured, or cooked meat and poultry products.
Conduct antemortem and postmortem inspections of animals and/or poultry in state and/or federal plants.
Inspect plant processing procedures daily for proper product formulations and labeling.
Submit product samples for laboratory analysis to determine compliance with laws and regulations.
Explain regulations and inspection results, and prepare inspection reports and records.
Perform other duties as required or assigned that are reasonably within the scope of the position.