Meat Inspector - Agricultural Specialist

State of Minnesota; Buffalo (MN); Remote; USD 55,000 - 79,000; Full time

Job summary

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is seeking a Meat Inspector to perform ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections at meat and poultry facilities. You will evaluate plant sanitation and HACCP plan effectiveness, educate firms on regulations, and coordinate with poultry and meat processors across multiple counties.

This is an entry level to mid-level position within the Dairy and Meat Inspection Division, requiring travel to remote counties and close adherence to state inspections standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Meat Science, Animal Science, Biology, Food Science, Microbiology, or related field.
• One year of experience in meat/poultry inspections or related processing.
• Must maintain an active/valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record.
• Ability to celebrate diversity and maintain an inclusive work environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct ante-mortem and post-mmortem inspections at meat and poultry operations.
• Evaluate plant sanitation procedures and verify HACCP plan effectiveness.
• Educate firm operators on existing and new regulations and initiate regulatory actions when needed.
• Inspect specified animal species and coordinate with customers across assigned counties.

Skills

Valid driver's license

Diversity awareness

Strong communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture/Meat Science/Animal Science/Biology/Food Science/Microbiology

Master's degree or higher (preferred)

Job description

Working Title: Meat Inspector

Job Class: Agricultural Specialist

Agency: Minnesota Department of Agriculture

• Job ID : 96217

• Location : Various

• Telework Eligible : No

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/06/2026

• Closing Date : 10/15/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Minnesota Department of Agriculture / Agriculture-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Dairy and Meat Inspection Division / M&P Inspection South Staff

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes

• Salary Range: $26.12 - $37.91 / hourly; $54,538 - $79,156 / annually

• Job Class Option : Meat

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Nonexempt

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

This position was previously announced 08/12/2026 through 08/25/2026. If you applied during that period, you do not need to reapply. Your application is still under consideration.

This in an entry level position within the Dairy and Meat Inspection Division includes duties relating primarily to the Meat Industry at State Equivalent Meat and or Poultry Processing facilities providing a service to very small processors. Additional inspection work will be conducted at custom meat processors. Responsibilities include ante-mortem and post-mortem slaughter inspections at meat and poultry operations, evaluating plant sanitation procedures and practices and verifying the effectiveness of the firms HACCP plan along with the monitoring of their Critical Control Points. Animal species slaughtered and processed vary by territory and will be determined by the needs of our clientele. Species of animals that may be inspected include but are not limited to the following: Beef, Swine, Goat, Sheep, Bison, Elk, Deer, Chicken, Turkey, Duck, Geese, and Pheasant. Work is conducted at assigned licensed businesses with a focus on educating firm operators regarding existing and new regulations, and when necessary, initiating regulatory actions. Flexibility with work schedule to accommodate slaughter operation start time and relief work is essential to the successful candidate. Slaughter and relief is assigned outside of the permanent assigned work location to include counties outside of their remote work location. Those counties may include but are not limited to: Lyon, Redwood, Murray, and Cottonwood Counties.

This position is a remote worker position which is defined as, an employee who, as a condition of their appointment, has their home or alternative location as the assigned work location, works permanently from that location, and does not have an agency permanent/principal work location. Currently the MDA does not allow remote work locations outside of the State of Minnesota. For more information refer to HR/LR Policy #1447 Remote Worker Policy: https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/policies/1447-remoteworker.pdf.

The assigned work location will include but is not limited to Lyon, Redwood, Murray, and Cottonwood Counties. NOTE: Candidate must live in or relocate to within 35 miles of the inspection territory within 6 months of date of hire.

Minimum Qualifications

To facilitate proper years of service crediting, please ensure that your resume clearly describes your experience in the areas listed and indicates the beginning and ending month and year for each job held.

A bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Meat Science, Animal Science, Biology, Food Science, Microbiology, or related agriculture/science field

OR

One (1) year of experience conducting meat and poultry inspections or other applicable experience working in meat or poultry processing or production systems

AND

• Must maintain an active/valid driver’s license with an acceptable motor vehicle record, subject to verification and periodic review.

• The ability to celebrate diversity and a strong commitment to a respectful and inclusive work environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree or higher in Agriculture, Meat Science, Animal Science, Food Science, Microbiology, or related agriculture/science field.

• More than one (1) year of experience conducting meat and poultry inspections or other applicable experience working in meat or poultry processing or production systems.

• Knowledge of microbiology, food safety and food quality issues involving food, meat and poultry products is required to determine the wholesomeness of products.

• Knowledge of rules and regulations governing meat and poultry operations.

• Knowledge of animal physiology and pathology is required to determine if an animal may be slaughtered and if abnormal animal carcasses or parts should be held for veterinary examination.

• Development of skills in communication, including verbal and written skills, are required to work closely and cooperatively with other people and is necessary to communicate with plant owners in order to address concerns and work toward solutions by listening, negotiating, and problem solving.

• Knowledge of chemical, physical, and biological hazards associated with the production of food, meat and poultry products is required to evaluate a plant's HACCP system.

Physical Requirements

The work is performed in meat, poultry, and shell egg processing facilities. Inspectors are involved in ante and postmortem inspection of animals and poultry. This inspection activity is performed in a noisy environment in which large, moving machinery is present and cannot be stopped instantaneously. The inspector will be required to stands on slippery and uneven floors and may be required to stand on elevated platforms to observe products. Water of 180 degrees F, firearms for stunning livestock, and high voltage electrical stimulators are in the supervisor’s proximity. Various atmospheric conditions ranging from excessive cold to damp, dry and extreme humidity may be found throughout the environment. The work environment for processing inspections involve walking on concrete floors in refrigerated coolers and freezers. Inspectors are at times confronted with angry plant personnel and business owners and must respond tactfully to complaints, charges and demands from these individuals.

The work requires prolonged standing on wet concrete floors for approximately 45% of the time. An inspector is required to perform constant and repetitive motions with both hands and wrists. Viscera inspection activities require the inspector to palpate and slice organs while standing. Rapid hand and arm motions are required. Accurate color vision is essential to allow the inspector to notice subtle shades of product color and to make appropriate product acceptability decisions. The inspector may be required to work with hands immersed in water. The ability to hear conversational voice is required to communicate effectively with working in this environment. In addition, the work requires the ability to detect product abnormalities through smell. Work environment may include additional physical hazards when responding to food emergencies including, but not limited to floods, fires, truck or transport accidents, and storm damage.

Additional Requirements

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture will not sponsor applicants for work visas, including STEM OPT extensions. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

A job offer will be contingent upon successfully passing a background check. It is the policy of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, as part of its hiring procedures, to conduct background checks on the finalist(s) for positions within the agency. The background check may consist of the following components:

1. SEMA4 Records Check (applies to current and former state employees only)

2. Employment Reference Check

3. Driver’s License Check

4. Conflict of Interest Review

5. Criminal Background Check

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.