Consumer Safety Inspector

This position covers two plants in Petersburg, VA and South Chesterfield, VA. Employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Raleigh District. Shifts and species will vary based on assignment.

Responsibilities

• Apply 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).
• Develop written reports and/or report findings of results 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 (e.g., ensuring conformance with established standards).
• Perform standard and recurrent duties on an independent basis for GS-7 level and above.
• Work with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts to inspect meat, poultry, and egg products (GS-8 and above).
• Apply basic SSOP and HACCP principles and practices to verify plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities (GS-8 and above).
• Perform basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts and methods to perform testing and sampling procedures (GS-8 and above).
• Reach and interpret conclusions based on inspections (GS-8 and above).
• Recommend refusal of exports and provide temporary coverage at locations outside of the official duty station (GS-9 and above).

Requirements

You 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. Experience should be acquired working in positions such as consumer safety inspector, inspection aid, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or other related positions.

• GS-5: 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, or other ingestible substances like pharmaceuticals).
• 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:
  • Working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts.
  • Applying basic SSOP and HACCP principles and practices.
  • Performing basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for testing and sampling.
  • Reaching and interpreting conclusions based on inspections.
• GS-9: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-8 level, including working at a more independent level, such as recommending refusal of exports and 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.

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.
• $1,000 Employee Referral Bonus Award: Paid to employees who refer applicants hired by FSIS.

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.