Consumer Safety Inspector

Department of Agriculture

Huntingburg, Indiana; Washington, Indiana; Co... Other $40,736 – $80,243 Closes Jun 22, 2026

Summary

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available. Shifts and species will vary based on assignment. For additinal information call Harris, Walter @ 630-317-1113 Employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in the Chicago District.

Duties

  • YOU WILL/MAY:
  • Ensure that regulated establishments produce a safe product by executing appropriate inspection methods, determining non-compliance with regulatory requirements, documenting noncompliance and initiating enforcement actions, where warranted.
  • 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 Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans effectively to prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration of product.
  • Review records, observe plant operations and conduct hands-on verification to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and prepare detailed documentation (Non-Compliance Records) of non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Determine when regulatory control action is necessary. You will assess whether the plant’s corrective or preventative actions are acceptable and effective, if there are trends in noncompliance, or if an enforcement action is warranted.
  • Conduct regulatory oversight activities inside plants in matters relating to other consumer protections (e.g., economic adulteration and misbranding).
  • Have contact with plant managers, owners and others to explain legal and regulatory requirements, 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.
  • Work with a variety of individuals to resolve problems, clarify differences of interpretation concerning HACCP and other food safety or consumer protection requirements.
  • Advise other Agency inspectors, supervisors and officers on inspection and enforcement matters for which you are involved.
  • Conduct various samplings, surveys and tests to obtain pertinent data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other issues of current interest to the Agency.
  • Be involved in performing health and safety verification sampling and tests for detection of specific microbes (e.g., salmonella, listeria, etc.), residues or contaminants.
  • Assure that products approved for import are in full compliance with all applicable Federal regulations governing the importation of meat and poultry products.
  • Authorize entry of all meat or poultry products considered to comply with Federal regulations or refuse entry of any products which violate any of the requirements for admission into this country.
  • Coordinate with other Federal agencies (e.g., the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or U.S. Customs and Border Protection) on such matters as animal health restrictions and refused entry lots.

Education

Education may be used to qualify in lieu of specialized experience as described below.

For the GS-05 level: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours/credits in any combination of coursework in the areas of: agricultural, biological, or physical sciences, food technology, epidemiology, home economics, pharmacy, engineering, or nutrition.

Specialized government or military training may be creditable if it is related directly to this position. OR A combination of education and specialized experience.

In this instance, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree (with some related coursework, as described in number 2 above) is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement.

For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement. For the GS-07 Level: One full year of directly related graduate education is qualifying for GS-07. OR A combination of education and specialized experience.

In this instance, only graduate education directly related to the work of the position is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.

For the GS-09 Level: Two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master’s degree is qualifying for GS-09. OR A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only graduate education in excess of the first 18 semester hours directly related to the work of the position is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience.

The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the education, experience, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Occupational Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below: Attention to Detail Decision Making Dependability Flexibility Interpersonal Skills Resilience Self Management Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if: (a) you meet minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions.

Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the basic minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Non-Competitive candidates need to meet minimum qualification requirements to be referred. **REMINDER** Applicants – Be sure that experience/education as described on your resume contains accurate and sufficiently detailed information to clearly demonstrate that you have the listed competencies. All information used to evaluate your application must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Once the position is closed, no additional information will be accepted. Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and/or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating.

Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from Federal service. Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form, i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process.

To initiate the online application process, click the “Apply” button to the right. To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12977496

Required Documents

  • The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
  • Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications.
  • Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
  • Your application may be disqualified if you include any of the information listed here: What should I leave out of my resume?
  • If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of all relevant college transcripts.
  • An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty.
  • Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university.
  • If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards.
  • There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service.
  • For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website.
  • All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
  • Current and former Federal employees: Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable.
  • A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
  • Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), current performance appraisal with rating of at least “Fully Successful” or equivalent, and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.
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