Meat Inspector - NW Iowa (part-time)

The approximately 345 employees of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) are responsible for a wide range of programs that affect the quality of life of every Iowan. Both Iowans living on the farm and those in our towns and cities are impacted almost daily by the work of the Department.The Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau is recruiting for a part-time Meat Inspector for the Buena Vista County region in northwest Iowa. The successful candidate will inspect locker plants, small packing plants, and any other establishment in which animals are slaughtered and/or processed for resale to the public to ensure compliance with the Iowa Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Hours for this position average 19 per week, with a maximum of 988 total hours per state fiscal year.Essential duties:Conducts antemortem and postmortem inspections of livestock and poultry, using senses and required hand tools to examine animals for disease.Travels to and conducts walk-through inspections of regulated facilities, ensuring compliance with sanitation standards.Conducts examinations of finished and in-process products to ensure wholesomeness and compliance with product labeling standards.Reviews records generated by inspected facilities to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and facility programs.Enters inspection results daily into designated computer system and prepares non-compliance reports and memoranda as needed to communicate findings.Communicates with regulated facilities regarding inspection results, regulatory requirements and changes to policies; conducts outreach to new facilities to aid compliance with regulatory requirements.Additional requirements: Meat Inspectors must maintain a valid driver's license for statewide travel to conduct inspections and must successfully complete the USDA-FSIS Food Inspector Livestock and Inspection Methods courses within six months of hire. Meat inspection work frequently exposes inspectors to hot, cold, wet, or slippery conditions. Inspectors must be able to handle knives and other tools effectively, and must have full use of their senses, including sight, hearing, touch, and smell. Inspectors are also subject to a background check required for access to federal computer systems.The preferred candidate will possess a background in the meat industry, food industry, regulatory work or agriculture, with relevant experience and/or education in food safety, animal health, agriculture, or related areas. The candidate will demonstrate strong written and oral communication skills, and will be able to both work independently and establish strong professional relationships with industry representatives and colleagues alike.Applicants may attach a cover letter and resume to their application. Application materials can be uploaded in the Attachments Section during the application process.As a part-time employee of IDALS you are a State of Iowa employee and eligible for a benefits package that includes:• IPERS (Iowa Public Employee Retirement System) which is a fixed income or defined benefit pension plan.• Paid leave includes annual leave, sick leave and holiday pay prorated based on the number of hours worked.• Reimbursement for driving miles.To learn more about benefits available as a State of Iowa Employee click here to visit the web page.Graduation from high school or possession of a G.E.D., and thirty semester hours of college or university course work which included at least six semester hours in any of the following major areas: veterinary medicine, animal husbandry, animal science, agricultural business, livestock management, zoology, biology or a closely related major;ORthe equivalent combination of education and experience substituting two years of experience in livestock or poultry slaughter, processing, or marketing for one year of the required education;ORone year of experience in meat and poultry inspection in an establishment covered by the Federal Meat and Poultry Inspection Act or a similarly legislated state meat and poultry inspection program, may be substituted for one year of the required education.For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.USDA courses in slaughtering and processing must be completed before inspection duties begin. The USDA poultry course must also be completed during the first year of employment.