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 with regulatory requirements, 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.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Prepare detailed documentation (Non-Compliance Records) for any non-compliance.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary, assess corrective or preventative actions, identify trends in non-compliance, and recommend enforcement action if warranted.
• 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 collaborate on plans to address 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 gather data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other issues of 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 imported products comply with all applicable Federal regulations governing the importation of meat and poultry products. Authorize or refuse entry of products based on compliance.
• 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

• Training as a condition of employment (TCOE) is required. You must begin training within 90 days of selection and complete it within 12 months.
• 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 to determine suitability for Federal employment.
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• Physical and medical ability to perform essential job functions without posing a direct threat to self or others, including:
  • Full range of motion for rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level.
  • Ability to stand and walk on slippery and uneven floors, catwalks, and climb stairs and ladders.
  • Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
  • Manual dexterity of the upper body, including arms, hands, and fingers, with a normal sense of touch in both hands.
  • Good near and distance vision, free of chronic eye disease, with correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye.
  • Ability to distinguish shades of color (significant color blindness may be disqualifying).
  • Hearing ability sufficient for job requirements (some hearing loss may be acceptable).

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. Such experience may include roles such as consumer safety inspector, food inspector, public health inspector, or quality inspection specialist in a food manufacturing or production environment.

• 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 and performing field tests or examinations.
  • Developing written reports or communicating findings orally.
  • Maintaining effective contacts with individuals regarding food safety standards.
  • Making determinations on products or production environments for compliance with standards.
• GS-07 Level: In addition to GS-05 qualifications, at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-05) performing standard and recurrent duties independently. Experience should demonstrate knowledge of regulated food commodities and the ability to carry out routine assignments.
• GS-08 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-07), including:
  • Working with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts.
  • Applying SSOP and HACCP principles to verify plant compliance.
  • Performing basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for testing and sampling.
  • Interpreting and reaching conclusions based on findings.
• GS-09 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-08), including independent work such as:
  • Recommending refusal of exports.
  • 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 can provide valuable training.

Education

Education may be substituted for 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 related to the position may be creditable.
  • A combination of education and specialized experience may also qualify.
• GS-07 Level:
  • One full year of directly related graduate education.
  • A combination of graduate education and specialized experience may also qualify.
• GS-09 Level:
  • Two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master's degree.
  • A combination of graduate education (in excess of the first 18 semester hours) and specialized experience may also qualify.