AGRI INSPECTOR II

Position Number: 22179524 

County: Craighead; Greene; Independence; Jackson; Lawrence; Sharp 

Posting End Date: Open Until Filled 

Anticipated Starting Salary: $32,405

Meat Inspection Program 

Hiring Authority

1 Natural Resources Drive

Little Rock, AR 72205

Phone: 501/516-7946

Email: tillman.treat@agriculture.arkansas.gov

As the largest industry in Arkansas, the Arkansas Department of Agriculture is dedicated to the development and implementation of policies and programs for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to keep its farmers and ranchers competitive in national and international markets while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest products for the citizens of the state and nation. The Department is organized into five Divisions: Forestry Division, Livestock and Poultry Division, Natural Resources Division, Plant Industries Division, and Shared Services Division.

Position Information

Class Code: X157C

Grade: GS05

FLSA Status: NON-EXEMPT

Salary Range: $32,405.00 – $51,686.00

Summary

The Agriculture (Agri) Inspector II is responsible for surveying, monitoring, inspecting, investigating, collecting samples and other activities as described below for one or more of the divisions of the Arkansas Agriculture Department including the Livestock and Poultry Division, Egg & Poultry Section, Plant Industries Division, and the Bureau of Standards. This position is governed by the United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations, state and federal laws, and agency policy.

Functions

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Vaccinates cattle and identifies livestock at markets/farms to ensure disease prevention and compliance with regulations. Responds to animal health complaints and ensures compliance. Inspects commercial poultry hatcheries for compliance. Monitors animal exhibitions/activities for the purposes of disease detection. Responds to animal emergencies. Issues quarantines, permits and prepares and submits reports.

EGG AND POULTRY SECTION: Maintains the USDA Shell Egg and Poultry regulations and reviews contracts/specification requirements. Performs Acceptance Quality Level (AQL) examinations on products (poultry, egg & rabbit) and ensures that segregation meets USDA, State and Industry standards. Monitors temperature/relative humidity of coolers; establishes grading stations, performs and continually monitors pre-operational sanitation inspections of processors, and monitors and verifies the grading by industry graders. Enforces the provisions of the Arkansas Egg Marketing Act of 1969 and makes inspections where eggs are bought, sold, offered for sale, or processed.

PLANT INDUSTRIES DIVISION: Issues certificates, quarantines, and permits. May trainf other employees. Conducts inspections of: dealer/applicator records, application methods/sites, regulated equipment/structures/entities, collects samples, and gathers evidence required to assimilate a case file. 

BUREAU OF STANDARDS: Inspects/tests weighing and measuring devices used for commercial activity and removes out-of-compliance devices from service. Inspects packaged commodities to determine accuracy of weight/measurement standards and labeling requirements. Investigates consumer complaints and prepares case files. Determines price accuracy in retail establishments and ensures method of sale for products. Confirms required information is provided to consumers through ticketing/receipts. Confirms Country of Origin labeling inspection on meats, seafood, nuts, and produce. Inspects records for compliance with applicable laws and ordinances.

Dimensions

Frequent in-state travel, exposure to diseased livestock, manufacturing facilities/machinery, and/or occasional exposure to hazardous chemicals/substances/environments. Occasional to frequent lifting and carrying of heavy/bulky items.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills:

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations governing the livestock industry and agency inspections/investigations. Knowledge of field and laboratory testing procedures and requirements utilized to determine the existence of diseases. Knowledge of safe working procedures with livestock. Ability to perform inspections/investigations, follow proper procedures, and issue quarantines on infected and exposed livestock. Ability to monitor the interstate and intrastate movement of livestock to ensure compliancewith federal and state laws. Ability to maintain records and prepare activity and monitoring reports. Ability to gather documentation necessary for prosecution of violators. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make decisions.

EGG & POULTRY SECTION: Ability to interpret and follow state/federal lawes and rules governing the egg and pultry indutries and agency policies. Ability to perform inspections, follow proper procedures, and enforce provisions of state/federal laws and industry standards. Ability to complete and submit required documents/reports in accordance with established procedures. Ability to inspect facilities and equipment for cleanliness. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, and make decisions.

PLANT INDUSTRIES DIVISION: Knowledge of state/federal laws and regulations governing agency investigations. Ability to perform inspections/investigations and follow proper procedures. Ability to maintain records and prepare reports. Ability to withstand hazardous environments. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make decisions.

BUREAU OF STANDARDS: Knowledge of state and federal laws and agency policies regarding measurement and weight standards.Knowledge of inspection and investigation techniques, evidence collection, applied/business mathematics, operation of test equipment and devices in the marketplace, record keeping and report writing. Ability to work independently, infrequently lift and carry up to 50 pounds, and frequently lift and carry up to 30 pounds and/or bulky objects. Ability to climb stairs/ladders, bend/stoop, kneel, push/pull, stand/walk for prolonged time periods, and wear personal protective gear. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing and make decisions. Ability to interpret/apply/enforce all applicable standards.

Minimum Qualifications

The formal education equivalent of an associate’s degree in an animal or agriculture related field, business or an applicable field 

OR

The formal education equivalent of a high school diploma; plus two years of experience in the applicable field.

Additional requirements determined by the agency for recruiting purposes require review and approval by the Office of Personnel Management.

OTHER JOB RELATED EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ALL OR PART OF THESE BASIC REQUIREMENTS, EXCEPT FOR CERTIFICATION OR LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, UPON APPROVAL OF THE QUALIFICATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE.

Licenses

Must possess a valid Arkansas driver’s license.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY DIVISION: Must have completed Incident Command System (ICS 100, 200, 300, 700 and 800) training from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM).

PLANT INDUSTRIES DIVISION: Must complete Incident Command System (ICS 100 and 200) training from the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM) or another certified trainer within one year of employment. 

The State of Arkansas is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, citizenship, national origin, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status or characteristic protected by law.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Accurate color vision. Will be tested at the time of the interview.
• A valid driver’s license or must be obtained by date of employment.
• Accurate and effective oral and written communicate with supervisors and upper management in the food industry.
• Computer skills to create basic documents, communicate through email, and enter data into State and Federal systems.
• Critical communication between management, and inspector requires candidate to be proficient in the English language.
• Ability to work independently (without direct supervision).
• Must be able to work in the vicinity of live animals and in direct contact with meat products derived from cattle, swine, sheep, and goats.

Agency Specific Information:

The State Meat Inspection Division enforces state and federal laws designed to ensure meat products sold to consumers are wholesome, unadulterated, and properly labeled. The division inspects plants statewide for red meat slaughter/processing and operates a program “equal to” the USDA, Food Safety Inspection Service.

The impact of this work is to ensure overall meat and food safety and consumer protection by assuring these products are wholesome, properly labeled, unadulterated and safe for human consumption.

This selected applicant will complete an extensive Meat Inspection training program which consists of six weeks of on- the-job training, 6 weeks of classroom training and occasional follow-up training to address changes to policies and regulatory requirements.

Position will serve as an Inspector in Charge at inspected slaughter/processing establishments. Along with daily inspection requirements for the slaughtering of cattle and swine, processing activities include inspection of fully cooked not shelf stable products.

Daily duties include conducting ante-mortem and post-mortem inspection of slaughtered livestock; observing the humane handling of said livestock; evaluating plant’s sanitation procedures and practices; verifying the implementation of plant’s Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans; collecting and submitting samples for microbiological analysis; verifying the accuracy of product labels; and other inspection activities as required. Working conditions include a noisy industrial environment; varying environmental conditions within the facility ranging from sub-freezing to extreme humidity; and standing, climbing, and kneeling on elevated platforms for extended periods of time.

The inspections observations and findings are generated by, and recorded in, a web-based information system. If a plant is not meeting regulatory requirements, the inspector must communicate this noncompliance to plant management. Inspector will document the noncompliance and follow enforcement actions up to and including suspending plant operations until regulatory requirements are met. Occasional holiday, weekend, and overtime work may be required. Relief duties at other establishments should be expected.

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