Title: Meat and Poultry Inspector #00254

State Role Title: Environmental Specialist I

Hiring Range: $44,982 - $58,905 annually

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Virginia Department of Agriculture

Location: MOBILE WORKERS SW

Agency Website: www.vdacs.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is seeking a candidate for the position of Meat and Poultry Inspector with the Office of Meat and Poultry Services (OMPS). This position is required to provide inspection coverage in Shenandoah and surrounding areas within the Harrisonburg Region and may be required to provide coverage in other areas based on agency needs. The successful candidate will be required to live in or convenient to said inspection area. Duties include conducting ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections; verification of the food safety systems in assigned meat and poultry slaughter and processing facilities; enforcement of the Humane Handling Act; collection of official samples; and entering data for inspection reports. OMPS Inspector’s enforce the Federal Meat Inspection Act, Poultry Products Inspection Act, and related state regulations. This position includes daily travel to assigned facilities, with regular weekend coverage, occasional overtime, and holidays, and may involve rotating shifts. Occasional travel throughout Virginia for a mobile slaughter unit is also required and may involve additional travel. This position also involves considerable physical activity. A state car will be assigned for business use only and must remain parked within the assigned territory.

Minimum Qualifications

Knowledge of the meat and poultry slaughter and processing operations is recommended but not required since training is provided. The ability to interpret and enforce regulatory compliance by evaluating findings to support conclusions. This position requires the ability to work independently without direct supervision. Selected candidate must also demonstrate effective oral and written communication skills including the ability to accurately prepare technical reports as well as display excellent customer service skills. Computer proficiency is needed along with experience using standard business office software applications. The ability to recognize animal characteristics and behavior; humane handling of animals and identify abnormal conditions while conducting inspection procedures. The selected applicant must have and maintain a valid driver’s license with a driving record that reflects a sense of responsibility for highway safety. Candidate must be able to meet the physical demands of the position, including the ability to distinguish colors, lift up to 50 pounds, stand or sit for a prolonged time, and work in environments with extreme temperature changes, as well as to meet the requirements for federal compliance certification within the first twelve months of employment. HS Diploma/GED required.

Additional Considerations

A combination of related education, training and experience indicating possession of the preceding knowledge, skills, and abilities to include knowledge of animal science, agriculture, food science/microbiology or a related field. Related work experience in the field of agriculture and/or the enforcement and interpretation of government regulations. A working knowledge of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles as applied to the meat industry is also preferred along with meat/poultry processing work experience.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Final candidate must successfully complete a fingerprint-based criminal background check.
If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.30 Layoff, and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.

Contact Information

Name: Human Resources

Phone: 804-371-8066

Email: hr.vdacs@vdacs.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.