Consumer Safety Inspector

Shifts and species will vary based on assignment. Employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Des Moines District. For additional information, call Dr. Catherine Pierce at 608-358-0897.

Responsibilities

The duties of a Consumer Safety Inspector are performed in a hazardous working environment and include:

• Applying proper techniques for collecting samples and/or performing field tests and examinations (e.g., identifying abnormalities in the product or production environment and recommending corrective actions).
• Developing written reports and/or reporting findings of results orally (e.g., documenting abnormalities in the product or production environment and communicating those findings to others).
• Maintaining effective personal contacts with a variety of individuals (e.g., discussing findings with internal or external contacts regarding food safety standards established in the production environment).
• Making determinations on products for human consumption or the production environment (e.g., ensuring conformance with established standards).
• For GS-07 and above: Independently carrying out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis.
• For GS-08: Working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts to inspect meat, poultry, and egg products; applying basic SSOP and HACCP principles and practices to verify plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities; performing basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts and methods for testing and sampling procedures; reaching and interpreting conclusions.
• For GS-09: Working at a more independent level, including duties such as recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage at locations outside of the official duty station.

Requirements

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

• Specialized experience is defined as experience that provided 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.

Qualifications

• GS-05 Level: At least 52 weeks of qualifying experience that provided knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food/beverages for human consumption). Experience may include sampling, field testing, report writing, and maintaining effective contacts in a relevant environment.
• GS-07 Level: In addition to GS-05 qualifications, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-05) and demonstrate the ability to independently carry out standard assignments.
• GS-08 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-07), including experience with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts; SSOP and HACCP principles; basic mathematics and statistical concepts; and interpreting conclusions.
• GS-09 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-08), with duties performed at a more independent level, such as recommending refusal of exports or providing temporary coverage at other locations.

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

Benefits

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• $5,000 Sign-On Bonus: Available to newly appointed employees.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual: Calculated to determine the annual leave accrual rate.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: For more information, visit PSLF Program.
• Accelerated Promotion Program: Opportunities for career advancement.
• $1,000 Employee Referral Bonus Award: Paid to employees who refer applicants hired by FSIS.