Meat Inspector - Part Time - Northwest Iowa - Buena Vista

Position: Meat Inspector - Permanent Part Time - Northwest Iowa - Buena Vista Co

Job Description

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is recruiting a part‑time Meat Inspector for the Buena Vista County region in northwest Iowa. The successful candidate will inspect locker plants, small packing plants, and any other establishment in which animals are slaughtered and/or processed for resale to the public to ensure compliance with the Iowa Meat and Poultry Inspection Act.

This is a part‑time position with a flexible schedule. Hours range from 0–40 per week, with an average of 19 hours per week, and a maximum of 988 total hours per state fiscal year.

Essential Duties

• Conduct antemortem and postmortem inspections of livestock and poultry, using senses and required hand tools to examine animals for disease.
• Travel to and conduct walk‑through inspections of regulated facilities, ensuring compliance with sanitation standards.
• Conduct examinations of finished and in‑process products to ensure wholesomeness and compliance with product labeling standards.
• Review records generated by inspected facilities to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and facility programs.
• Enter inspection results daily into the designated computer system and prepare non‑compliance reports and memoranda as needed to communicate findings.
• Communicate with regulated facilities regarding inspection results, regulatory requirements, and changes to policies; conduct outreach to new facilities to aid compliance with regulatory requirements.

Additional requirements

• Meat Inspectors must maintain a valid driver’s license for statewide travel.
• Must successfully complete the USDA‑FSIS Food Inspector Livestock and Inspection Methods courses within six months of hire.
• Inspectors will work in hot, cold, wet, or slippery conditions and must handle knives and other tools effectively, using all senses.
• Background check required for access to federal computer systems.

Preferred Candidate

Candidate will possess a background in the meat industry, food industry, regulatory work or agriculture, with relevant experience and/or education in food safety, animal health, agriculture, or related areas. The candidate will demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, and will be able to work independently and establish strong professional relationships with industry representatives and colleagues alike.

Applicants

Applicants may attach a cover letter and resume to their application. Application materials can be uploaded in the Attachments Section during the application process.

Benefits

• IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) – fixed income or defined benefit pension plan.
• Paid leave includes annual leave, sick leave, and holiday pay prorated based on the number of hours worked.
• Reimbursement for driving miles.

Employment Information

• Seniority level:
  Entry level
• Employment type:
  
  Part‑time
• Job function:
  Management and Manufacturing
• Industry: Government Administration

EEO Statement

The State of Iowa is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws. For more information, please visit (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

Minimum Qualification Requirements

• Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency, and experience equal to two years of full‑time work in livestock or poultry slaughter, processing, or marketing; meat and poultry inspection; or other food‑related industry or regulatory work.
• Thirty semester hours of education from an accredited college or university with a minimum of six semester hours in veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, animal science, agricultural business, livestock management, zoology, biology, or a closely related major.

Additional Qualification Requirements

USDA courses in slaughtering and processing must be completed before inspection duties begin. The USDA poultry course must also be completed during the first year of employment.

#J-18808-Ljbffr