Consumer Safety Inspector

About the Role

Consumer Safety Inspectors (CSIs) perform duties in a hazardous working environment to ensure the safety of the Nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. Shifts and species will vary based on assignment. Employees may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Des Moines District.

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).
• Make determinations on products for human consumption or the production environment to ensure conformance with established standards.
• For GS-07 and above: Independently carry out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis.
• For GS-08 and above: Work with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts to inspect meat, poultry, and egg products; apply basic SSOP and HACCP principles to verify plant responsibilities; perform basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for testing and sampling; and interpret conclusions.
• For GS-09 and above: Work at a more independent level, including recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage at locations outside 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.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is required, defined as experience providing knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption. Such experience may include roles like 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). Examples include sampling, testing, reporting findings, and maintaining effective contacts.
• GS-07 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level, including independently performing standard and recurrent duties.
• GS-08 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level, including experience with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts, SSOP/HACCP principles, basic mathematics, and statistical concepts.
• GS-09 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level, including independent work such as recommending refusal of exports and covering locations outside the official duty station.

Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps).

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 annual leave accrual rate.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: Available for eligible employees. Learn more.
• Accelerated Promotion Program: Opportunities for career advancement.
• $1,000 Employee Referral Bonus Award: Paid to employees who refer applicants hired by FSIS.