Meat Inspector Trainee - District 2

Meat Inspector Trainee – District 2 (260003XL) The Ohio Department of Agriculture’s Division of Meat Inspection seeks a Meat Inspector Trainee to protect Ohio’s food supply in District 2. The position is headquartered in Crawford, Richland, or Knox County and requires flexible work hours and travel. Responsibilities Receive training and mentoring from a higher level meat inspector to learn procedures and assist in conducting inspections of registered meat plants, private and commercial slaughtering plants, and custom‑exempt red meat and/or poultry processing facilities. Perform ante‑mortem and post‑mortem inspections of carcasses and enforce state and federal sanitation, humane slaughter, meat processing, and food‑safety policies, procedures, and guidelines. Conduct visual examination of live animals and/or poultry prior to slaughter, looking for abnormalities in appearance and behavior such as sickness, injury, or non‑ambulatory status. Contact veterinarian for final disposition of unhealthy animals and record results. Determine age of beef through dentition for cattle 30 months or older in relation to BSE concerns. Perform visual, tactile, and/or incisory inspection of head, lymph nodes, viscera, carcass, and offal to determine whether pathological conditions are present and whether the carcass is clean and wholesome. Inspect all equipment, facilities, and personnel to ensure acceptable sanitation levels, prohibiting use of unsanitary, unsafe, or unapproved equipment until cleaned and corrected. Halts production for poor sanitation or non‑compliance. Ensure proper disposition of unfit and condemned products, enforce sanitary dressing procedures, and control carcass branding. Learn labeling requirements and assist in reviewing labeling materials; review proposed labels, product formulations, production procedures, quality control programs, records, and laboratory reports for state‑inspected meat and/or poultry establishments. Check formulations of all types of meat food products for compliance with federal regulations and monitor inspection procedures to maintain compliance. Learn sampling procedures and assist higher‑level inspector with submission of product samples for microbiological analysis. Require meat slaughter plants to conduct microbial testing for generic E. coli to verify adequacy of process controls. Document verification results and navigate the Public Health Information System (PHIS). Assist higher‑level inspector with other meat inspection duties as assigned. Perform re‑inspection of meat and/or poultry products and non‑meat ingredients intended for further processing or distribution. Inspect critical control points in the preparation and handling of meat or poultry products, monitoring formulation, temperature controls, preparation procedures, use of restricted ingredients, and sampling to ensure compliance. Prepare, maintain, and monitor required records, reports, and formulations concerning product condemnations and retentions; control all sanitation discrepancies and corrective actions. Assist in industry quality control programs. Analyze report deviations, travel, and pay reports and submit them through proper channels. Attend training courses and refresher seminars, including Incident Command Systems and Inspection System Procedures training. Qualifications One course in animal science, agribusiness, or food business management; OR three months of experience in livestock industry or industrial meat and poultry processing. One course in biological sciences or chemistry (high school or college level). Must provide own transportation. Equivalent of the minimum class qualifications noted above. Benefits Medical Coverage – Ohio Med PPO plan, dental, vision, and basic life insurance; premiums are free after one year of continuous service. Paid time off including vacation, personal, sick leave, 11 paid holidays, and childbirth/adoption leave. Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) – employee contributes 10% of salary; employer contributes equal to 14%. Ohio Deferred Compensation – voluntary 457(b) retirement plan. Maternity benefits – expanded coverage for prenatal, childbirth, postpartum, and related services with no copay for qualifying medications. Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and public service loan forgiveness. Workplace Conditions Flexible hours and/or shifts; travel required; overnight stays; must provide own transportation; work weekends; rotating 6‑month rotations on 2nd shift; exposure to extreme temperature changes; work on slippery surfaces; climb steps or ladders; work from catwalks or power lifts; exposure to animal waste and potential infectious disease; loud equipment such as splitting saws, captive‑bolt pistols, and firearms. Additional Information Unusual working conditions include exposure to possible injury from animals in holding pens, standing for extended periods in confined areas, and operating machinery with moving parts. Color‑deficiency test will be administered before the interview. Failure to pass will result in disqualification. Contact Linda Roberts – View email address on click.appcast.io Background Check Selected candidates will undergo a criminal background check; convictions do not automatically disqualify applicants. Drug‑Free Workplace The State of Ohio prohibits marijuana (recreational or non‑medical cannabis); final candidates may be subject to urinalysis testing for illegal drug use. Positive results may preclude employment unless medical documentation is provided. ADA Statement Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in accordance with the ADA and other applicable laws. Diversity and Inclusion ODA values internal diversity and pledges to create an inclusive, engaging workforce that embraces and celebrates differences. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Ohio