Consumer Safety Inspector

Consumer Safety Inspectors may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the District; shifts and species assignments vary.

Responsibilities

• Apply proper techniques for collecting samples and performing field tests and examinations (e.g., identifying abnormalities in products or production environments and recommending corrective actions).
• Develop written reports and communicate findings orally (e.g., documenting abnormalities and discussing them with internal or external contacts).
• Maintain effective personal contacts with a variety of individuals regarding food safety standards.
• Ensure conformance with established standards for products intended for human consumption or their production environments.
• Perform standard and recurrent duties independently, including routine inspections and verification of plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities.
• Perform basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for 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).

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 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 such as consumer safety inspector, food inspector, public health inspector, or quality inspection specialist in a food manufacturing, production, or similar environment.

• 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, report writing, and communication of findings.
• GS-07 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level, including independently carrying out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis.
• GS-08 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level, including:
  • Working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts.
  • Applying SSOP and HACCP principles to verify plant responsibilities.
  • Performing basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts for testing and sampling.
  • Interpreting conclusions from inspection findings.
• GS-09 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 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).

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. Learn more.
• $1,000 Employee Referral Bonus Award: Paid to employees who refer applicants hired by FSIS.
• Comprehensive Federal Benefits Package: Includes health, retirement, and other benefits for employees and their families. Learn more about federal benefits.

The duties of a Consumer Safety Inspector are performed in a hazardous working environment. The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) agency responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products. Learn more about FSIS.