Consumer Safety Inspector.

About the Role

As a Consumer Safety Inspector, you will ensure regulated establishments produce safe food products by executing inspection methods, identifying non-compliance, documenting findings, 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.
• Ensure execution of SSOP and HACCP Plans effectively prevents unsanitary conditions and product adulteration through record reviews, plant observations, and hands-on verification.
• Document non-compliance with regulatory requirements and prepare detailed Non-Compliance Records.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary, assess corrective/preventative actions, and decide if enforcement action is warranted.
• Conduct 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 collaborate on resolving problems or clarifying interpretations of HACCP and food safety requirements.
• Advise other Agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters.
• Conduct samplings, surveys, and tests to gather data on problem areas, industry trends, or Agency priorities, including health and safety verification for microbes (e.g., salmonella, listeria), residues, or contaminants.
• Assure compliance of imported meat and poultry products with Federal regulations, authorizing or refusing entry as appropriate.
• Coordinate with other Federal agencies (e.g., Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection) on matters like animal health restrictions and refused entry lots.

Requirements

• Training as a condition of employment (TCOE) is required, beginning within 90 days and completed within 12 months of selection.
• 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.
• Successful completion of a one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Direct deposit of federal payments is required.
• May need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to appointment.
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and communicate effectively in English.

This position requires a pre-employment physical to ensure the ability to perform essential job functions safely. Applicants must:

• Have full range of motion for rapid, repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level.
• Be able to stand and walk on slippery, uneven floors and catwalks, and climb stairs and ladders.
• Lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
• Have manual dexterity of the upper body, including arms, hands, and fingers, with a normal sense of touch in both hands.
• Have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease, and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye.
• Have the ability to distinguish shades of color (significant color blindness may be disqualifying).
• Individuals with hearing loss or requiring amplification will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications

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

Specialized Experience

Specialized experience is defined as knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption, gained through roles such as consumer safety inspector, food inspector, public health inspector, or quality inspection specialist.

GS-05 Level

• At least 52 weeks of qualifying experience demonstrating knowledge of regulated food commodities (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other ingestible substances).
• Experience may include: collecting samples, performing field tests, identifying product or environmental abnormalities, recommending corrective actions, documenting findings, and communicating results to others.

GS-07 Level

• In addition to GS-05 qualifications, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-05) performing standard and recurrent duties independently.
• Experience must demonstrate knowledge of regulated food commodities and the ability to carry out routine assignments on a regular and recurring basis.

GS-08 Level

• At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-07).
• Experience must include: working with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts; applying SSOP and HACCP principles; performing basic mathematics and statistical concepts for testing and sampling; and interpreting conclusions.

GS-09 Level

• At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-08).
• Experience must include working at a more independent level, such as recommending refusal of exports or providing temporary coverage at locations outside the official duty station.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and may be credited toward qualifications.

Education

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

GS-05 Level

• Successful completion of a full 4-year bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours in agricultural, biological, or physical sciences, food technology, epidemiology, home economics, pharmacy, engineering, or nutrition.
• Specialized government or military training may be creditable if directly related to the position.
• A combination of education and specialized experience may also qualify, with education in excess of the first 60 semester hours creditable toward the requirement.

GS-07 Level

• One full year of directly related graduate education is qualifying for GS-07.
• A combination of graduate education and specialized experience may also qualify, with only directly related graduate education creditable.

GS-09 Level

• Two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master's degree is qualifying for GS-09.
• A combination of graduate education (in excess of the first 18 semester hours) and specialized experience may also qualify.