Consumer Safety Inspector

About the role

Inspect meat and poultry slaughter and processing establishments to ensure they meet regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Execute appropriate inspection methods to ensure product safety.
• Determine non-compliance with regulatory requirements and document findings.
• Initiate enforcement action where necessary.
• Verify that Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans meet regulatory requirements.
• Conduct hands-on verification and review records to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary, assessing plant's corrective or preventative actions and enforcement action.
• Oversee plant operations to ensure compliance with other consumer protection laws.
• Contact plant managers and others to explain legal and regulatory requirements.
• Communicate and defend determinations on non-compliance issues and discuss plans for addressing non-compliance.
• Resolve problems and clarify interpretations of HACCP and other food safety or consumer protection requirements.
• Advise other inspectors on inspection and enforcement matters.
• Conduct various samplings, surveys, and tests to gather data on potential issues.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and tests for specific microbes and contaminants.
• Affirm that imported products comply with Federal regulations.
• Coordinate with other federal agencies on matters such as animal health restrictions and refused entry lots.

Requirements

Training as a condition of employment (TCOE) is required. Must begin training within 90 days of selection and complete it within 12 months.

You must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.

Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with the Selective Service System or exempt from registration.

Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.

Must be at least 18 years of age.

Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.

Qualifications

Specialized experience is required. This includes experience in positions such as consumer safety inspector, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or related positions.

• GS-5: At least 52 weeks of experience in positions that provided knowledge of regulated food commodities and substances, such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food for human consumption.
• GS-7: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, performing routine and recurrent duties independently.
• GS-8: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, including experience with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts, SSOP and HACCP principles, and testing procedures.
• GS-9: At least one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, working independently and covering locations outside the official duty station.