Consumer Safety Inspector

About the Role

The position involves inspecting regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption. Shifts and species will vary based on assignment. Employees may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Raleigh District.

The Newark position covers four plants in Newark and rotates every four months. The Chesterfield position covers plants in Pemberton, Dayton, Burlington, and two plants in Westampton.

For additional information, contact Laura Hutchison at (919) 214-1984 or laura.hutchison@usda.gov.

Responsibilities

• Apply proper techniques for collecting samples and performing field tests and examinations (e.g., identifying abnormalities in the product or production environment and recommending corrective actions).
• Develop written reports and/or report findings orally (e.g., documenting abnormalities in the product or production environment and communicating those findings to others).
• Maintain 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).
• Make determinations on products for human consumption or the production environment to ensure conformance with established standards.
• Perform standard and recurrent duties independently, including routine and recurring assignments.
• Work with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts to inspect meat, poultry, and egg products.
• Apply basic SSOP (Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures) and HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) principles and practices to verify plant responsibilities.
• Perform basic mathematics and use elementary statistical concepts and methods to conduct testing and sampling procedures.
• Reach and interpret conclusions based on inspection findings.
• Recommend refusal of exports and provide temporary coverage at locations outside of the official duty station (for GS-9 level).

Qualifications

You 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 experience that provided knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption. Experience should be acquired in positions such as consumer safety inspector, inspection aid, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or other related roles.

• GS-5: At least 52 weeks of qualifying experience demonstrating knowledge of regulated food commodities (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food/beverages for human consumption).
• GS-7: In addition to GS-5 qualifications, at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5 level, performing standard and recurrent duties independently.
• GS-8: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-7 level, including experience with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts, SSOP, HACCP, basic mathematics, and statistical concepts.
• GS-9: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-8 level, including working at a more independent level (e.g., recommending refusal of exports, providing temporary coverage at other locations).

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

For more information on OPM's qualifications standards for the Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) position, visit the Consumer Safety Inspector Series, GS-1862.

About the Agency

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for protecting public health by ensuring the safety of the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. Learn more about FSIS.

Benefits

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

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

For more information on incentives, see the Additional Information section.