Consumer Safety Inspector

To qualify for the GS-5 level, you need at least 52 weeks of specialized experience in food inspection or quality control, or a bachelor's degree with 24 semester hours in related sciences. For GS-7, one year of graduate education or higher-level experience is required. Time-in-grade restrictions apply for current federal employees.

• You must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Time-in-Grade: Current federal employees must have one year at the next lower grade (e.g., GS-05 for GS-07).
• GS-5: 52 weeks of specialized experience providing knowledge of food commodities, sampling, and sanitation; OR a bachelor's degree with major study or 24 semester hours in agricultural, biological, or physical sciences, food technology, epidemiology, home economics, pharmacy, engineering, or nutrition.
• GS-7: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-5, performing standard duties independently; OR one full year of directly related graduate education.
• GS-8: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-7, including knowledge of Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts, SSOP and HACCP principles, and basic mathematics.
• GS-9: One year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-8, working independently and possibly recommending refusal of exports.
• Experience can be paid or unpaid, including volunteer work through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps).
• Education may be combined with experience to meet qualification requirements.
• All qualifications must be met by the closing date of the announcement.

Ensure regulated establishments produce safe products by executing appropriate inspection methods.

• Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishment's Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans meet regulatory requirements.
• Verify execution of SSOP and HACCP Plans to prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration of product.
• Review records, observe plant operations, and conduct hands-on verification to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Prepare detailed documentation (Non-Compliance Records) of non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Determine when regulatory control action is necessary.
• Assess whether the plant's corrective or preventative actions are acceptable and effective.
• Conduct regulatory oversight activities inside plants regarding other consumer protections (e.g., economic adulteration and misbranding).
• Communicate with plant managers, owners, and others to explain legal and regulatory requirements.
• Conduct various samplings, surveys, and tests to obtain data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other issues.

Must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.

• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: All federal payments must be made by direct deposit.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in English.
• May need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to appointment.
• Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination.

Complete benefits package as a federal employee, including health insurance, retirement, and paid leave.

• Eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Access to a range of benefits designed for federal careers; eligibility depends on position type and work schedule.

This announcement may be used to fill additional like vacancies in the announced duty locations.

• Shifts and species will vary based on assignment; you may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the district.
• Training as a condition of employment must begin within 90 days and be completed within 12 months of selection.
• A one-year probationary period is required; your continued employment depends on performance and agency needs.
• Under the Fair Chance Act, criminal history information cannot be requested until a conditional offer is made. Complaints about noncompliance can be sent to [email protected] with subject line 'Fair Chance Act'.
• For questions about positions in California, contact [email protected]. For Georgia and South Carolina positions, contact [email protected].
• The duties of a Consumer Safety Inspector are performed in a hazardous working environment.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available for eligible federal employees.

The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is the public health agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that the nation's commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe, wholesome, and correctly labeled. FSIS inspectors work in thousands of establishments across the country, verifying that companies meet federal food safety standards. This Consumer Safety Inspector role is part of FSIS's frontline inspection workforce, directly protecting consumers by enforcing sanitation and HACCP regulations in slaughter and processing plants. Applicants should be prepared for a structured federal career with clear advancement potential, complete benefits, and the opportunity to serve the public in a critical food safety mission.