USDA Opens Food Inspectors Nationwide

Concern about safety of the nation's food supply is leading to the hiring of more food inspectors. Job open in all areas. A $2500 recruitment bonus will be given to candidates accepting positions in southwest Kansas

At entry level inspectors need one year of qualifying experience including work in a retail business in food processing or as a cook. Written test is required.

by Peter E Ognibene

The Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety & Inspection Service (FSIS) is increasing its staff of meat inspectors, called Food Inspector GS-1863, in response to increased concerns about meat safety. The present announcement lists the number of openings as "many" and the job location as "nationwide".

Staring salary is between $22,819 and $28,265 depending on previous job experience. The average salary of Food Inspectors is $32,939 plus any locality pay differential that may be applicable. Supervisors in the Food Inspection Service earn up to $61,040.

Application Process

Applicants must take and pass the required written test which will be given nationwide in August, 2000. The names of those who pass will appear on a register. As vacancies occur, applicants are selected from the register and called for interviews. At the present time, there are full-time positions open nationwide and intermittent positions open in the Southwest.

Interested candidates should call the 800 number given at the end of this article. Those qualifying will be sent an application package and a date, time, and location for the exam. Exam sites are located throughout the U.S.

FSIS Employs 6,695 Inspectors

More than 6,695 Food Inspectors from FSIS are employed around the nation, making FSIS one of the largest public health agencies in the world.

Meat Inspectors protect against the distribution of sub-standard meat and poultry by inspecting animals at commercial slaughter houses before and after slaughter. Other inspectors work at meat processing plants, overseeing operations to ensure that canned and packaged products are properly processed and accurately labeled. This includes frozen dinners, canned goods, and cured and smoked products. Inspectors usually specialize in a particular product.

Food inspectors often work in highly mechanized plants and may have to perform their duties near moving machinery, on slippery floors and in extreme temperatures. The position may also require working with sharp knives and standing or walking for long periods of time.

To determine whether applicants can withstand the rigors of the job, all candidates must undergo a physical exam.

Qualifications

To qualify for any Food Inspector position, applicants must pass the written exam with a score of at least 70 points. At the GS-5 level a candidate must have one year of specialized experience or a college degree with a major in biological, physical, mathematical or agricultural sciences. Experience may include working with animals as a veterinary assistant or in field disease control; experience at a public stockyard, ranch, or farm, or hatchery; work in livestock or poultry slaughtering or processing.

Applicable experience can also include work in a retail establishment such as a supermarket preparing meat for sale. Work as a cook in a restaurant is also applicable, if it demonstrates responsibility for proper food preparation, handling and sanitation. Work cooking on a grill in a fast food restaurant does not qualify as applicable experience. Making sandwiches in a deli does not qualify.

At the GS-7 level applicants must meet the above requirements with an additional year of specialized inspection experience which is equivalent to one year at the GS-5 level. Supervisors at GS-12 currently earn $61,040.

Phone Application

FSIS maintains a phone line to send application packages to interested applicants. Candidates may call 1-800-370-3747 to request packages. A time and place for the written test will be assigned to candidates after their application package has been reviewed. Interested individuals can also obtain an application package by writing:

U.S. Department of Agriculture

Food Safety and Inspection Service FESB - Systems Section

Butler Square West, 4th Floor

100 North Sixth Street

Minneapolis, MN 55403

Candidates may use any written application format they choose, for example, an OF-612, SF-171, or a resume. Candidate’s application/resume must include the following:

· The title and announcement number of this position – Food Inspector GS-1863

Full name, address, daytime phone number (with area code), social security number, and a statement that the candidates is a U.S. citizen.

Work experience: All paid and non-paid related work experience which includes:

1) job title (if a Federal job, note series and grade),

2) duties and accomplishments

(provide specific examples of skills do not just list job titles),

3) employer’s name and address,

4) supervisor’s name and phone

number, candidates should indicate whether or not current supervisors may be contacted.

5) starting and ending dates (month and year),

6) hours per week, and

7) salary.

To receive credit for a college degree, candidates must provide a copy of his or her transcript.

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