Consumer Safety Inspector

Responsibilities

• Ensure regulated establishments produce a safe product by executing appropriate inspection methods, determining non‑compliance, documenting non‑compliance, and initiating enforcement actions where warranted.
• Verify that meat and poultry slaughter or processing establishments’ SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements.
• Confirm execution of the SSOP and HACCP plans to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration.
• Review records, observe plant operations and conduct hands‑on verification to ensure compliance, and prepare detailed Non‑Compliance Records.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary, assessing the plant’s corrective or preventive actions, identifying trends, and deciding if enforcement action is warranted.
• Conduct regulatory oversight inside plants concerning other consumer protections such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Communicate legal and regulatory requirements to plant managers, owners, and others, and discuss the operation of SSOP, HACCP, and other food‑safety programs.
• Defend determinations on non‑compliance issues and discuss plans for addressing them.
• Resolve problems and clarify differing interpretations of food‑safety regulations with a variety of stakeholders.
• Advise other agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters.
• Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to gather data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other Agency interests.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and testing for specific microbes (e.g., salmonella, listeria) or contaminants.
• Ensure imported products comply with all applicable federal regulations governing meat and poultry importation.
• Authorize entry of compliant products and refuse entry of violators.
• Coordinate with other federal agencies (e.g., APHIS or CBP) on matters such as animal‑health restrictions and refused entry lots.

• U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with or exempt from Selective Service.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of a one‑year probationary period unless previously served.
• Direct deposit required for all federal employees.
• Successful completion of an E‑Verify employment verification check (see https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).).
• Minimum age of 18 years.
• Proficient in reading, speaking, writing, and effective communication in English.
• Provision that false statements can jeopardize employment and may result in disciplinary action.
• May be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF‑306) if selected.
• Successful completion of a pre‑employment medical examination.
• Training as a condition of employment (TCOE) required: must begin within 90 days of selection and be completed within 12 months.

• Time‑in‑Grade
  : require one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the following grade (e.g., one year at GS‑05 for GS‑07).
• Specialized Experience
  :
  • Applicable experience on the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other ingestible products.
  • GS‑07: at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS‑05 level). Experience must include independent routine assignments related to meat, poultry, fish, eggs or other food for human consumption, including pharmaceutical substances.
  • GS‑08: at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS‑07 level) that includes:
    • Work with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts.
    • Verification of SSOP and HACCP responsibilities.
    • Basic mathematics and elementary statistical methods for sampling and testing.
    • Ability to reach and interpret conclusions.
  • GS‑09: at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS‑08 level) with more independent duties such as recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage at other locations.
• Education
  :
  • GS‑07: one full year of directly related graduate education qualifies; or a combination of graduate education and specialized experience that together equal 100% of the requirement.
  • GS‑09: two full years of directly related graduate education (or a related…