* PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH FOOD SAFETY AND DEFENSE *
This is an Intermittent Food Inspector job, you need to know the following:
The work schedule, hours and shifts for this position varies. You must be available to be work, as needed, depending on the staffing needs of the Agency.
You must be available for all shifts and able to regularly report for duty within a reasonable time after receiving a request (by phone) to report for work.
You will provide coverage for in-plant positions within a specified geographic area or plant.
The number of hours you may work are limited to 1,280 hours in a service year.
This position is an Excepted Service appointment and does not provide any benefits other than Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program (See Benefits tab).
This is an open continuous job announcement.
We are not able to predict if or when vacancies will be filled in specific geographic areas.
You may select up to five (5) geographic location codes you are willing to work. Do not select locations that you are not willing to work in.
To ensure continued interest and availability, applicants will be notified via e-mail reminding them to re-certify their application every 120 days.
Summary
* PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH THROUGH FOOD SAFETY AND DEFENSE *
This is an Intermittent Food Inspector job, you need to know the following:
The work schedule, hours and shifts for this position varies. You must be available to be work, as needed, depending on the staffing needs of the Agency.
You must be available for all shifts and able to regularly report for duty within a reasonable time after receiving a request (by phone) to report for work.
You will provide coverage for in-plant positions within a specified geographic area or plant.
The number of hours you may work are limited to 1,280 hours in a service year.
This position is an Excepted Service appointment and does not provide any benefits other than Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program (See Benefits tab).
This is an open continuous job announcement.
We are not able to predict if or when vacancies will be filled in specific geographic areas.
You may select up to five (5) geographic location codes you are willing to work. Do not select locations that you are not willing to work in.
To ensure continued interest and availability, applicants will be notified via e-mail reminding them to re-certify their application every 120 days.
Entry-level Food Inspector positions filled through this job announcement generally work in slaughter plants. Our Food Inspectors:
Examine food animals in privately-owned meat or poultry plants
Perform their duties before and after slaughter, guaranteeing that the product is not contaminated
Maintain sanitation procedures
Are a valued member of a dynamic team that ensures the product is fit to eat and compliant with Federal laws
Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors (slaughter) are involved in ante-mortem inspection of livestock or poultry and post-mortem inspection of red meat or poultry. This inspection activity is performed in a noisy industrial environment with large moving machinery that cannot be stopped instantly. Workstations and walkway can be extremely narrow and slippery. Excellent stability and balance is required. Frequent physical activities such as walking, climbing, standing, and kneeling are required, including climbing and walking on catwalks. Various environmental conditions, ranging from sub-freezing temperatures to frequent summertime temperatures at 80 to 90 degrees are common, with extreme humidity. Inspection activity requires rapid, constant repetitive motion with both hands and wrists. Red meat viscera inspection requires palpitation of organs and slicing with extremely sharp knives. Accurate color vision is essential to notice subtle shades of product color in the detection of abnormalities that make a product unfit for human consumption. To view examples of the types of work performed, please click on: Inside Look For additional information about training please follow this link: Training Information
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you may be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report inquiry.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
Qualifications
Applicant may meet the GS-5 basic qualifications in one of two ways:
1. Specialized Work Experience or
2. Education
If qualifying based on Specialized Work Experience, you must:
Have the equivalent of at least one year of full-time Specialized Work Experience that was obtained after your 16th birthday.
Provide specific examples of qualifying knowledge, judgment, interpretive ability and technical skills related to a finished product.
Examples of Specialized Work Experience may include, but is not limited to
Agricultural Commodity Grader, GS-5 or equivalent
Experience in a slaughter or processing plant, or a comparable manufacturing or production activity which prepares food for human consumption. This experience must demonstrate skills in sorting good from bad; applying, interpreting, and explaining standards, making decisions, and communicating with others.
Experience as a meat cutter/butcher in a wholesale or retail meat/poultry business, provided a full range of responsible duties are performed such as cutting or butchering, sanitation, dealing with customers, meeting customer standards, use of judgment, interpretation of various requirements, and sorting acceptable from unacceptable.
Quality Control or Laboratory experience in the food industry or other similar production environments. Working with products for consumption by humans or animals.
A Managerial/Supervisory responsibility in the food or livestock industry, which demonstrates the applicant applied and has effective skills in communicating job requirements, evaluating results of work methods or processes, applying instructions, and interpreting standards or regulations.
As a chef or cook in a commercial establishment which demonstrates responsibility for proper food preparation, handling, and sanitation practices.
Animal Handling/Animal Care-work experience in the areas of managing, handling, growing, culling or medicating animals in a major livestock or poultry
As a Veterinary Technician conducting lab tests, assessing animals and/or partial examination of animals, performing autopsies, monitoring animals under anesthesia or other Vet Tech
.GS-7 basic qualifications:
For positions above GS-5, applicants must have demonstrated one year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression in the organization in which the position is being filled.
Specialized experience is regulatory food inspection work which involved either ante- and post-mortem inspection of red meat animals, poultry, fish, or seafood; or inspection of production of processed products involving red meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or egg products.
This experience must have demonstrated:
knowledge of general sanitation practices, laws, and regulations governing the food industry;
knowledge of Federal laws and regulations pertaining to fitness of red meat animals, poultry, fish, or seafood for human consumption; or knowledge of Federal laws and regulations applicable to the processing of red meat, poultry, fish, seafood, or egg products; and
ability to communicate effectively with supervisors and workers in the food industry.
The resume you provide must demonstrate the required experience as referenced in the announcement and the OPM Qualification Standards (Food Inspection Series, 1863), or you will be rated as ineligible for the GS-7.
Education
If qualifying based on Education, you must:
Have earned a Bachelors degree or completed a full 4-year course of study in any field leading to a Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university.
Degree courses MUST include 12 semester or 18 quarter hours in the biological, mathematical, physical or agricultural sciences.
If you have not completed your degree, but are within 9 months of graduating, you may apply. All qualifications based on education will be verified. You must submit a copy of your transcripts when you apply. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.
If you are selected for a position, official transcripts must be sent directly from your college, in paper form in a sealed envelope or in a secure, certified official electronic format to our Minneapolis Human Resources Operations Division prior to reporting for duty.
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standard for the Food Inspector position may be reviewed by clicking on this link: Food Inspector (1863) Qualifications
Additional information
**Intermittent Work Schedule: This position does not have a regular scheduled tour of duty. The number of hours worked during one week may fluctuate between 1 to 40 hours and that there will be no consistency in the days or hours worked each week. Not to exceed 1280 hours in a service year.
Selective Service: If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System, or are exempt from having to do so under the Selective Service Law. See Selective Service
If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
Background Investigation: Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation and granting of a federal suitability or security clearance.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture participate in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary,the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with the information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. What is E-Verify? Why is it required?
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This Food Inspector position is an Excepted Service appointment and does not provide any benefits other than discussed below.
Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program. Effective January 2015, temporary, seasonal, and intermittent employees on appointments expected to last at least 90 days, and expected to work 130 hours per month or more, will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) health plan. Temporary, seasonal, and intermittent employees for whom the expectation of hours of employment changes to meet the above requirement would then become eligible to enroll in an FEHB health plan. Eligible employees who elect to participate will receive the same government contribution as permanent employees and will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency rolls; the employee share is deducted from bi-weekly earnings.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
After completing the online assessment questionnaire, View Assessment Questionnaire you will automatically be assigned an initial self-assessed rating based on your answers. Since this is an open continuous job announcement, the Human Resources Office will not evaluate your application immediately. Your resume should include detailed, specific information. You will be evaluated on your relevant education, work experience and training as it relates to the fundamental competencies (communication, decision making, flexibility, self management and conscientiousness), required for this job. Basis of Rating:
Applicants are evaluated in accordance with Delegated Examining Procedures. Rating procedures will be used to rank and select eligible candidates. Ratings will be based on an evaluation tool tied to specific competencies relevant to this position.
Veterans Preference eligibles will receive rating and selection priority over non-preference eligible candidates. Veterans who provide proof of a compensable service-connected disability of at least 10 percent are listed above the other applicants.
All requirements for this position must be met, including a complete application package that supports your answers to the occupational questionnaire. You are strongly encouraged to ensure that your work history thoroughly documents the duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments that are directly related to this position.
If the Human Resources Office is not able to verify specialized experience based on what you provide you may miss consideration for one or more vacancies.
The Human Resources Office will not conduct up front reviews and will not request missing documentation.
If a determination is made that you have rated yourself higher than is supported by your description of experience and/or education or that your application is incomplete, you may be assigned an "ineligible" rating.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This Food Inspector position is an Excepted Service appointment and does not provide any benefits other than discussed below.
Participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefit (FEHB) program. Effective January 2015, temporary, seasonal, and intermittent employees on appointments expected to last at least 90 days, and expected to work 130 hours per month or more, will be eligible to enroll in a Federal Employee Health Benefit (FEHB) health plan. Temporary, seasonal, and intermittent employees for whom the expectation of hours of employment changes to meet the above requirement would then become eligible to enroll in an FEHB health plan. Eligible employees who elect to participate will receive the same government contribution as permanent employees and will be responsible for the employee share of the premium while on the official agency rolls; the employee share is deducted from bi-weekly earnings.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
A resume should be provided. It should include relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties and salary), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry.
If you are a veteran claiming Veterans' Preference, please attach your DD-214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, receipt of medals and campaign badges, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). The member 4 copy of your DD-214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” is preferable.
When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on their application or resume. Applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference", and submit the requested documentation.
For a disabled veteran, you must submit a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) letter on DVA letterhead that states your overall combined service-connected disability rating.
Please provide a copy of your College transcript(s) which support those qualifications for which you wish to have considered.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may possibly be used to meet the qualification requirements. However, along with transcripts, when applying you must provide documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For further information, visit: http://www.naces.org/members.htm
You must submit a complete Application Package, prior to 11:59, ET, on the closing date of this announcement. The following documents must be submitted for your application package to be considered complete. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are received within the required timeframes. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, system failure or downtime, etc. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Other required documents may include:
CTAP/ICTAP Required Documentation Reduction-In-Force: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from.
Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application is valid through the closing date of the announcement unless otherwise notified. To begin the application process, please follow the steps below:
Carefully read and review this complete Job Announcement.
Apply online at www.FoodSafetyJobs.gov click on the "Food Inspector Online Application Process" section.
You may select up to five (5) geographic location codes. The system allows you to select more than five locations, but you should only select yourfive preferred geographic location codes.
Submit your resume online. Your resume should include: Details of your work experience relevant to this position including your duties and responsibilities, dates (month/year) and hours worked per week for each position; College degrees earned; the Job Announcement Number; the position and grade level you are applying for; and your full name, complete mailing address, day/evening telephone numbers and current email address. You may submit your resume by fax or mail if you do not have Internet access.
Complete the online Application and Assessment questionnaire. Read the step-by-step instructions as a guide to completing the assessment questionnaire carefully to ensure accuracy before clicking “Submit Application Now”.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you are strongly encouraged to visit your library, state employment office, or another establishment that provides internet service to complete online application and the assessment questionnaire. If this is not an option, refer to the Alternative Methods for Applying section below for specific instructions.
Alternative Methods for Applying: If you are unable to apply using the internet, please fax your request for an application package along with your name and mailing address to: 612-370-2060.
NOTE: 18 U.S.C. 1719 prohibits the use of Government franked envelopes for application packages.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Butler Square West, 4th Floor, 100 North Sixth Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
USA
Next steps
Once your application and occupational questionnaire are submitted online, you will receive an acknowledgement email verifying that your submission was successfully received. The automated staffing system will automatically assign an initial self-assessed rating based on the answers you provided in the assessment questionnaire. Since this is an open continuous job announcement, the Human Resources Office will not evaluate your application package immediately. Your resume, relevant education, work experience and supporting documents will be carefully reviewed to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. If you do not respond to an inquiry from our Agency, your application package will be withdrawn from further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. CHECK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS: You should monitor your application status by viewing the "MY ACCOUNT" tab at USAJobs . From your account page, click on "Application Status" and you may view the latest information update. This status is updated ONLY when new information is available.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
A resume should be provided. It should include relevant work experience (start/end dates stated in month/year, description of duties and salary), applicable education at a minimum, and your contact information. For current or previous Federal employees, it should also include the Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry.
If you are a veteran claiming Veterans' Preference, please attach your DD-214 "Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty," showing all dates of service, receipt of medals and campaign badges, as well as character of service (Honorable, General, etc.). The member 4 copy of your DD-214, “Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty,” is preferable.
When applying for Federal Jobs, eligible veterans should claim preference on their application or resume. Applicants claiming 10-point preference must complete Standard Form (SF) 15, "Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference", and submit the requested documentation.
For a disabled veteran, you must submit a Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) letter on DVA letterhead that states your overall combined service-connected disability rating.
Please provide a copy of your College transcript(s) which support those qualifications for which you wish to have considered.
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may possibly be used to meet the qualification requirements. However, along with transcripts, when applying you must provide documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. For further information, visit: http://www.naces.org/members.htm
You must submit a complete Application Package, prior to 11:59, ET, on the closing date of this announcement. The following documents must be submitted for your application package to be considered complete. It is your responsibility to ensure all required documents are received within the required timeframes. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, system failure or downtime, etc. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Other required documents may include:
CTAP/ICTAP Required Documentation Reduction-In-Force: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from.
Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50.
Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Your application is valid through the closing date of the announcement unless otherwise notified. To begin the application process, please follow the steps below:
Carefully read and review this complete Job Announcement.
Apply online at www.FoodSafetyJobs.gov click on the "Food Inspector Online Application Process" section.
You may select up to five (5) geographic location codes. The system allows you to select more than five locations, but you should only select yourfive preferred geographic location codes.
Submit your resume online. Your resume should include: Details of your work experience relevant to this position including your duties and responsibilities, dates (month/year) and hours worked per week for each position; College degrees earned; the Job Announcement Number; the position and grade level you are applying for; and your full name, complete mailing address, day/evening telephone numbers and current email address. You may submit your resume by fax or mail if you do not have Internet access.
Complete the online Application and Assessment questionnaire. Read the step-by-step instructions as a guide to completing the assessment questionnaire carefully to ensure accuracy before clicking “Submit Application Now”.
If you do not have access to the Internet, you are strongly encouraged to visit your library, state employment office, or another establishment that provides internet service to complete online application and the assessment questionnaire. If this is not an option, refer to the Alternative Methods for Applying section below for specific instructions.
Alternative Methods for Applying: If you are unable to apply using the internet, please fax your request for an application package along with your name and mailing address to: 612-370-2060.
NOTE: 18 U.S.C. 1719 prohibits the use of Government franked envelopes for application packages.
Food Safety and Inspection Service
Butler Square West, 4th Floor, 100 North Sixth Street
Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55403
USA
Next steps
Once your application and occupational questionnaire are submitted online, you will receive an acknowledgement email verifying that your submission was successfully received. The automated staffing system will automatically assign an initial self-assessed rating based on the answers you provided in the assessment questionnaire. Since this is an open continuous job announcement, the Human Resources Office will not evaluate your application package immediately. Your resume, relevant education, work experience and supporting documents will be carefully reviewed to ensure you meet the basic qualifications. If you do not respond to an inquiry from our Agency, your application package will be withdrawn from further consideration. If further evaluation or interviews are required you will be contacted. CHECK YOUR APPLICATION STATUS: You should monitor your application status by viewing the "MY ACCOUNT" tab at USAJobs . From your account page, click on "Application Status" and you may view the latest information update. This status is updated ONLY when new information is available.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
