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January 28, 2001

Job Requirements: Federal Meat/Poultry Inspector (new hires)

from the Food Safety & Inspection Service, USDA

(HIGHLIGHT ADDED TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE FSIS NO LONGER REQUIRES EXPERIENCE IN MEAT CUTTING OR FARMING, OR KNOWLEDGE OF ANIMAL ANATOMY. HOW CAN THESE PEOPLE, WITHOUT A KNOWLEDGE BASE, SECOND-GUESS THE EXPERIENCED MEAT INSPECTORS EMPLOYED BY THE SLAUGHTER AND PROCESSING COMPANIES? THE UNEXACTING REQUIREMENTS IN THIS JOB DESCRIPTION ARE A DELIBERATE CONTRIBUTION TO REDUCING THE GOVERNMENT INSPECTORS' UNION'S ABILITY TO SAFEGUARD OUR FOOD SUPPLY.

Federal Food Inspectors employed by the USDA Food Safety & Inspection Service inspect the slaughter and processing of food animals in privately-owned meat or poultry slaughter and processing plants. They insure that the product is fit for human consumption in compliance with Federal laws governing the wholesomeness and purity of meat and poultry products. This is accomplished through ante-mortem inspection involving a visual examination of the live animal or poultry prior to slaughter, and post-mortem inspection to determine that the product is not contaminated and that sanitation procedures are maintained. Processing Food Inspectors inspect processed meat and poultry products and all other ingredients contained in the final product. This includes frozen dinners, canned goods, and cured and smoked products. In processing plants they monitor operations to make sure the plant adheres to approved procedures and labeling guidelines.

FSIS employs approximately 6000 Food Inspectors, nationwide. Most positions are full-time, however some less than full-time positions, involving intermittent on-call work schedules and limited to 1280 hours per year, are also available in many locations.

To qualify, applicants must have one year of responsible work experience, in the food industry or food processing environment, which demonstrates the applicant's knowledge, judgement, interpretive ability, and technical skill associated with the production of a finished product which meets all prescribed standards of quality and conforms with approved production methods. To qualify based on education applicants must have completed a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree in an accredited college or university, that included 12 semester hours in the biological, physical, mathematical, or agricultural sciences.

Because the work is performed in an industrial setting the positions also have strict physical requirements. Applicants for full-time positions must also take and pass a civil service test, which includes a test of mathematical ability.

From http://www.fsis.usda.gov/OM/HRD/emply_career/fi.htm