Consumer Safety Inspector.

About the role

This position involves regulatory oversight of meat and poultry establishments to ensure the production of safe products. Duties include executing inspection methods, determining non-compliance with regulatory requirements, documenting findings, and initiating enforcement actions as warranted. The role requires verifying compliance with Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, conducting hands-on verification, and preparing detailed documentation of non-compliance. Additional responsibilities include assessing corrective actions, communicating with plant personnel, and collaborating with other agencies on matters such as animal health restrictions and refused entry lots.

Responsibilities

• Ensure regulated establishments produce safe products by executing appropriate inspection methods and determining non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishments' SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements.
• Verify execution of SSOP and HACCP plans to prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration of product.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements; prepare detailed documentation of non-compliance.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary, assessing the acceptability and effectiveness of corrective or preventative actions, identifying trends in non-compliance, or determining if enforcement action is warranted.
• Conduct regulatory oversight activities related to consumer protections, such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Communicate with plant managers and others to explain legal and regulatory requirements, discuss SSOP, HACCP plans, and other food safety programs.
• Communicate and defend determinations on non-compliance issues and discuss plans for addressing non-compliance.
• Work with various individuals to resolve problems and clarify differences of interpretation concerning HACCP and other food safety or consumer protection requirements.
• Advise other agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters.
• Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to obtain data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or issues of current interest to the agency.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and tests for detection of specific microbes (e.g., salmonella, listeria) or residues/contaminants.
• Assure that products approved for import comply with all applicable federal regulations governing the importation of meat and poultry products.
• Authorize entry of meat or poultry products that comply with federal regulations or refuse entry of products that violate requirements.
• Coordinate with other federal agencies (e.g., Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or U.S. Customs and Border Protection) on matters such as animal health restrictions and refused entry lots.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Must successfully complete a one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education.

Specialized Experience

• GS-05: At least 52 weeks of experience demonstrating knowledge of properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, eggs) or other ingestible substances. Experience may include applying techniques for collecting samples, performing field tests, identifying abnormalities, developing written reports, communicating findings, and maintaining effective contacts with individuals regarding food safety standards.
• GS-07: In addition to GS-05 qualifications, one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-05) performing standard and recurrent duties independently. Experience should demonstrate knowledge of regulated food commodities and substances.
• GS-08: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-07) including working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts, verifying SSOP and HACCP plans, performing basic mathematics and statistical concepts, and reaching and interpreting conclusions.
• GS-09: One year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-08) including working more independently, recommending refusal of exports, and providing temporary coverage at locations outside the official duty station.

Education

• GS-05: A full 4-year bachelor's degree with at least 24 semester hours in agricultural, biological, or physical sciences, food technology, epidemiology, home economics, pharmacy, engineering, or nutrition. OR a combination of education and specialized experience totaling 100% of the requirement.
• GS-07: One full year of directly related graduate education OR a combination of education and specialized experience totaling 100% of the requirement.
• GS-09: Two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master's degree OR a combination of education and specialized experience totaling 100% of the requirement.

Additional information

• Must be physically and medically able to perform essential job functions, including standing, walking on slippery/uneven surfaces, climbing stairs and ladders, lifting up to 30 pounds (occasionally up to 50 pounds), and having manual dexterity and normal sense of touch in both hands.
• Must have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease, and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye. Must be able to distinguish shades of color; significant color blindness may be disqualifying.
• Must have the ability to hear, with some hearing loss not disqualifying unless it exceeds acceptable thresholds.