Consumer Safety Inspector.

About the Role

As a Consumer Safety Inspector, you will ensure regulated establishments produce safe products by executing appropriate inspection methods, determining compliance with regulatory requirements, and initiating enforcement actions when necessary.

Responsibilities

• Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishments’ Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (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 (Non-Compliance Records) for non-compliance.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary, assess corrective or preventative actions, identify trends in noncompliance, and recommend enforcement actions.
• Conduct regulatory oversight activities related to consumer protections, such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Communicate with plant managers, owners, and others to explain legal and regulatory requirements, discuss SSOP, HACCP plans, and other food safety programs.
• Defend determinations on non-compliance issues and discuss plans for addressing non-compliance.
• 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 samplings, surveys, and tests to obtain data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other issues of current interest to the Agency.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and tests for detection of specific microbes (e.g., salmonella, listeria), residues, or contaminants.
• Assure that imported products comply with all applicable Federal regulations governing the importation of meat and poultry products.
• Authorize entry of compliant meat or poultry products or refuse entry of non-compliant products.
• Coordinate with other Federal agencies (e.g., Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, 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.
• Direct deposit of federal payments is required.
• Must successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• False statements on a resume or application may result in disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• May need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to appointment to determine suitability for Federal employment.
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment medical examination.
• Training as a condition of employment (TCOE) is required; must begin within 90 days and complete within 12 months of selection.

Qualifications

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

Time-In-Grade

Applicants must meet requirements for one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g., one year at the GS-05 grade level for consideration for the GS-07 grade level).

Specialized Experience

Specialized experience is defined as knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption. Such experience may have been acquired in roles such as consumer safety inspector, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or similar positions with responsibility for sampling, quality control, and sanitation in a food manufacturing or production environment.

• GS-07 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level), including independently carrying out routine, standard assignments related to regulated food commodities (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food for human consumption).
• GS-08 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level), including working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts; verifying plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities; performing basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts; and interpreting conclusions.
• GS-09 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-08 level), including independent duties such as recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage at locations outside the official duty station.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations.

Education

Education may be used to qualify in lieu of specialized experience as follows:

• GS-07 Level: One full year of directly related graduate education or a combination of education and specialized experience totaling 100% of the requirement.
• GS-09 Level: Two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master’s degree or a combination of education (in excess of the first 18 semester hours) and specialized experience totaling 100% of the requirement.

Physical Requirements

• Must be physically and medically able to efficiently perform essential job functions without posing a direct threat to self or others.
• Must have full range of motion to perform rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level.
• Must be able to stand and walk on slippery and uneven floors and catwalks, and climb stairs and ladders.
• Must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Must have manual dexterity of the upper body, including arms, hands, and fingers, with a 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 have the ability to distinguish shades of color; significant color blindness (more than 25% error rate on approved color plate test) may be disqualifying.
• Hearing loss or the need for hearing amplification will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Benefits

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to make your federal career rewarding. Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent.