Consumer Safety Inspector

Consumer Safety Inspectors may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Des Moines District. Shifts and species will vary based on assignment. For additional information, contact FLS Shizue Thiel at 608-509-2764.

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 (e.g., ensuring conformance with established standards).
• Perform standard and recurrent duties independently, including routine inspections and verification of plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities.
• Perform basic mathematics and 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 the official duty station (GS-09 level).

The duties of a Consumer Safety Inspector are performed in a hazardous working environment.

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 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, inspection aide, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or similar positions.

• GS-05 Level: 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). Experience may include sampling, quality control, sanitation, or similar work in a food manufacturing or production environment.
• GS-07 Level: In addition to GS-05 qualifications, at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-05) performing independent, routine, and standard assignments related to food safety inspections.
• GS-08 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-07), including:
  • Working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts.
  • Applying basic 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 inspection findings.
• GS-09 Level: At least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-08), including independent duties 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 may count toward qualifying experience.

Benefits

• $5,000 Sign-On Bonus: Available to newly appointed Consumer Safety Inspectors.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual: Calculated to determine annual leave accrual rate.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: Eligibility for federal loan forgiveness.
• $1,000 Employee Referral Bonus Award: Paid to employees who refer applicants hired by FSIS.

As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a comprehensive benefits package. Learn more about federal benefits.