Meat Inspector - Part Time - Guthrie Co

Job Description The approximately 345 employees of the 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. Position The Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau is recruiting for a part‑time Meat Inspector for the Mahaska County region in southeast Iowa. This is a part‑time position with a flexible schedule. Hours range from 0–40 per week, with an average of 19 hours per week, and a maximum of 988 total hours per state fiscal year. Essential Duties Conduct antemortem and postmortem inspections of livestock and poultry, using senses and required hand tools to examine animals for disease. Travel to and conduct walk‑through inspections of regulated facilities, ensuring compliance with sanitation standards. Examine finished and in‑process products to ensure wholesomeness and compliance with product labeling standards. Review records generated by inspected facilities to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and facility programs. Enter inspection results daily into a designated computer system and prepare non‑compliance reports and memoranda as needed to communicate findings. Communicate with regulated facilities regarding inspection results, regulatory requirements, and changes to policies; conduct outreach to new facilities to aid compliance. Additional Requirements Maintain a valid driver’s license for statewide travel. Successfully complete the USDA‑FSIS Food Inspector Livestock and Inspection Methods courses within six months of hire. Handle knives and other tools safely; maintain full use of senses (sight, hearing, touch, smell). Undergo a background check required for access to federal computer systems. Preferred Candidate 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. Application Applicants may attach a cover letter and resume to their application. Application materials can be uploaded in the Attachments Section during the application process. Benefits 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, visit the State of Iowa employee benefits webpage. E‑Verify and Right to Work The State of Iowa participates in E‑Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E‑Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States. The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees’ rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit Minimum Qualification Requirements Graduation from high school, GED, or equivalency and experience equal to two years of full‑time work in livestock or poultry slaughter, processing, or marketing; meat and poultry inspection; or other food‑related industry or regulatory work. Thirty semester hours of education from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 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. Additional Qualification Requirements USDA or approved equivalent courses in livestock slaughter and inspection methods. An introductory HACCP course approved by the International HACCP Alliance. The USDA poultry course or equivalent for inspectors with poultry inspection duties. #J-18808-Ljbffr State of Iowa - Executive Branch