Consumer Safety Inspector

Employee will primarily work in one plant but may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Denver 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 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 independently, including routine and recurring assignments related to regulated food commodities.
• For GS-08 level and above: Work with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts to inspect meat, poultry, and egg products.
• For GS-08 level and above: Apply basic SSOP and HACCP principles and practices to verify plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities.
• For GS-08 level and above: Use basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts and methods to perform testing and sampling procedures.
• For GS-08 level and above: Reach and interpret conclusions based on inspection findings.
• For GS-09 level: Recommend refusal of exports and provide temporary coverage at locations outside of the official duty station.

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.
• Specialized experience is experience that provided knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food/beverages, or ingestible substances like pharmaceuticals).
• 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.

Qualifications

• GS-05 Level: At least 52 weeks of qualifying experience demonstrating knowledge of regulated food commodities (e.g., sampling, field tests, reporting findings, maintaining contacts, ensuring compliance with standards).
• GS-07 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-05 level, including independently carrying out routine assignments related to food commodities.
• GS-08 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 level, including:
  • Working with Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts.
  • Applying SSOP and HACCP principles.
  • Performing basic mathematics and statistical testing.
  • Interpreting conclusions from inspection findings.
• GS-09 Level: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-08 level, including independent duties 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

• $5,000 Sign-On Bonus: Available to newly appointed employees.
• Creditable Service for Annual Leave Accrual: Calculated to determine annual leave accrual rate.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program: Available to eligible employees. Learn more.
• $1,000 Employee Referral Bonus Award: Paid to employees who refer applicants hired by FSIS.
• Comprehensive federal benefits package, including health, retirement, and leave benefits.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) responsible for ensuring the safety of the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and processed egg products.