Consumer Safety Inspector

Responsibilities

• Ensure regulated establishments produce a safe product by executing appropriate inspection methods, determining non‑compliance with regulatory requirements, documenting non‑compliance, and initiating enforcement action where warranted.
• Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishments’ SSOP and HACCP plans meet regulatory requirements.
• Verify that SSOP and HACCP programs are executed effectively to prevent unsanitary conditions and product adulteration.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands‑on verification to ensure compliance, preparing detailed documentation (Non‑Compliance Records) as needed.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary, assessing corrective or preventive actions, identifying trends, and deciding whether enforcement action is warranted.
• Conduct regulatory oversight activities related to consumer protection issues such as economic adulteration and misbranding.
• Engage with plant managers, owners, and others to explain legal and regulatory requirements, and discuss operation of the plant’s SSOP, HACCP plan, and other food safety programs.
• Communicate and defend determinations on non‑compliance issues and discuss plans for addressing non‑compliance.
• Collaborate with a variety of individuals to resolve problems and clarify differing interpretations concerning HACCP and other food safety or consumer protection requirements.
• Advise agency inspectors, supervisors, and officers on inspection and enforcement matters for which you are involved.
• Conduct sampling, surveys, and tests to obtain data on potential problem areas, industry trends, and other current issues of interest to the agency.
• Perform health and safety verification sampling and testing for detection of specific microbes (e.g., salmonella, listeria), residues, or contaminants.
• Ensure products approved for import are in full compliance with all federal regulations governing the importation of meat and poultry products.
• Authorize entry of, or refuse entry to, meat or poultry products that comply with federal regulations or violate admission requirements.
• Coordinate with other federal agencies (e.g., APA, U.S. Customs and Border Protection) on matters such as animal health restrictions and refused entry lots.

• Training as a condition of employment (TCOE) is required: begin the training within 90 days of selection and complete it within 12 months.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
• Male applicants born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of a one‑year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Successful completion of a pre‑employment medical examination.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Pass the E‑Verify employment verification check.
• Must read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.

Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the posting’s closing date. Specialized experience and education requirements differ by GS level:

• GS‑05
  :
  At least 52 weeks of experience with regulated food commodities (e.g., meat, poultry, fish, eggs, pharmaceuticals) that involved sample collection, field testing, reporting findings, and maintaining contact with stakeholders, or equivalent experience.
• GS‑07
  :
  In addition to GS‑05 qualifications, at least one year of specialized experience performed independently on routine assignments with regulated food commodities.
• GS‑08
  :
  At least one year of GS‑07 experience plus experience working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts, basic SSOP and HACCP principles, elementary mathematics and statistical concepts, and ability to interpret conclusions.
• GS‑09
  :
  At least one year of GS‑08 experience plus duties performed at a more independent level, including recommending export refusals and providing temporary coverage outside the official duty station.

Education may be used in lieu of specialized experience following the guidelines for each GS level. For GS‑05, a 4‑year bachelor’s degree with major coursework in relevant scientific…