Meat & Poultry Inspector I

Agriculture & Consumer Services; Tennessee; On-site; USD 41,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on bonus

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a Meat & Poultry Inspector I to inspect facilities across Moore, Randolph, and Davidson counties. The role requires evaluating compliance, sanitation, and labeling, with responsibilities including ante mortem and postmortem inspections and enforcement actions as needed.

Candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree or GED with four years of relevant experience, and must pass federal background checks and hold a valid

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or GED with 4 years of meat/poultry inspection experience or equivalent
• Proficiency in English with strong oral and written communication skills
• Ability to work around live animals and meat/poultry products

Responsibilities

• Conduct ante mortem and postmortem inspections to ensure safety and labeling
• Verify humane handling and evaluate plant sanitation and HACCP plans
• Collect samples and document findings in electronic systems
• Take enforcement actions to suspend operations when necessary

Skills

English proficiency

Oral communication

Written communication

Education

Bachelor's degree

GED + 4 years experience

Job description

Position Details

Agency Dept of Agriculture , Consumer Services Division Agriculture Consumer Service Job Classification Title Meat & Poultry Insp I (S) Position Number 60012322 Grade NC09

About Us

The N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services provides services that promote and improve agriculture, agribusiness, and forests; protect consumers and businesses; and conserve farmland and natural resources for the prosperity of all North Carolinians. The Department employs approximately 2,000 employees.

Description of Work

Please note: Job postings close at 11:59:59 p.m. the night before the listed Posting End Date above. This is a federally funded position. ***This is a readvertisement. Previous applicants need to reapply to be considered.*** A Sign-on bonus of $2,500 may be offered to the successful applicant(s) of this posting. To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government, including without limitation the judicial system, state executive branch agencies, and the university system, subject to the State Human Resources Act. The Meat and Poultry Inspection Division (MPID) plays a vital role in protecting public health by ensuring that meat and poultry products sold in North Carolina are safe, wholesome, and properly labeled. Our team works closely with approximately 140 establishments across the state, maintaining a program recognized as “at least equal to” the USDA Food Safety Inspection Service. We are currently seeking candidates to join our team as an Inspector in Charge for one slaughter/processing establishment and three processing-only establishments located in Moore, Randolph, and Davidson Counties. This position is Regional and services Moore, Randolph, and Davidson Counties. As part of the onboarding process, new hires must pass a federal background check and present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or other acceptable forms of identification to obtain necessary Federal credentials.

What makes this role rewarding:

• You’ll receive extensive training, including 6 weeks of on-the-job learning, 6 weeks of classroom instruction, and ongoing training as regulations evolve.
• You’ll play a key part in safeguarding the food supply by conducting ante mortem and postmortem inspections, verifying humane handling, evaluating plant sanitation, reviewing HACCP plans, collecting samples, and ensuring accurate labeling.
• You’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of processing activities, including the inspection of raw ground, raw not ground, and heat treated not fully cooked, not shelf-stable products.

What to expect day to day:

• Work in a dynamic industrial environment that may involve cold or hot temperatures and high humidity.
• Be physically active, standing, climbing, and using elevated platforms throughout the day.
• Use a web-based system to document inspection findings and communicate effectively with plant management.
• Take enforcement actions when necessary to ensure regulatory compliance, including suspending operations until issues are resolved.

Work schedule and coverage:

• Establishments on this assignment may operate as early as 5:00 am and as late as 5:00 pm. Work hours will vary based on each establishment’s production schedule.
• Occasional overtime, weekend, or holiday work may be required.
• Relief duties at other establishments should be expected.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Management Preferences

Recruitment Range: $41,206 - $60,000

Accurate color vision. Will be tested at the time of the interview. Critical communication between management, establishment personnel, and inspector requires candidate to be proficient in the English language and to have accurate and effective oral and written communication skills (will be given a writing test at the time of the interview). Computer skills to create basic documents, communicate through email, and enter data into State and Federal systems (the writing test will be given on a computer). Ability to work independently (without direct supervision). Must be able to work in the vicinity of live animals and in direct contact with meat and poultry products derived from cattle, swine, sheep, goats, ratites, chicken, and turkeys.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution; or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of experience in the inspection, production, management or sale of meat and/or poultry; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

Successful completion of required Meat and Poultry Inspection Training Programs. If selected, must successfully complete required training within specified timeframes and have a valid driver’s license by date of employment.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

State Application Resources / Frequently Asked Questions

All job postings close at 11:59pm the night before the End Date on the posting. Valuing Education and Experience. The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees. Approximately 91 percent of state job classifications allow experience to be substituted for education or do not require a post-secondary degree. Learn more about how you may qualify for a position through education or directly related experience, or a combination of both, with the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide. The State of North Carolina values the knowledge and experience of our jobseekers and current state employees.