United States Department of Agriculture
United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service
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How to Apply: FSIS Food Inspector
FSIS has more than 7,500 Inspectors working in commercial food plants nationwide. Inspectors provide the first line of defense against adulterated meat and poultry products. They are responsible for much of the day-to-day inspection of animals before and after slaughter.

RECRUITMENT INCENTIVES
Incentives such as student loan repayments and bonuses are being offered based on hiring needs. Review this information before filling out your application.

AUTOMATED APPLICATION PROCEDURE

STEP 1: Carefully review the job announcement. We suggest that you also review the Geographic Codes. During the application process, you will be asked to list up to five geographic locations where you wish to be considered.

STEP 2: Complete the online questionnaire found in the job announcement. To take the questionnaire and read detailed directions on the application process, click on the"How to Apply" tab in the upper right-hand corner of the job announcement. You will find the link for the Online Questionnaire under "Option 1." If you are successful in completing the questionnaire you will receive an acknowledgment that your answers were submitted successfully.

STEP 3: Submit an application or resume. Tell us more about yourself and your work experience. To complete the application process, you must submit your resume either by uploading it electronically or printing out the cover sheet and faxing it in following the instructions found in the job announcement under "How to Apply." But before you begin preparing an application or resume, please consider the following tips:
  • List information on all jobs that are relevant.
  • Provide specific and detailed information about your duties.
  • Include all starting and ending dates for each job you have held.

The job announcement describes a number of options. Choose one of these options.
  1. After the Online Questionnaire is submitted, at the Document Upload screen, select the type of document you are attaching for upload from the drop-down menu on the left side of the screen. Select the "Browse" button and attach the file you want to submit. Press the "Upload" button to submit the document file. You will receive an "Upload Successful" acknowledgement when the file has been received. OR:

  2. Applications/resumes may be faxed directly to (478) 757-3144. If you choose to fax your documentation you MUST use a cover page. The information contained on the cover page should match the information you provided to the occupational questionnaire. The Vacancy ID number, your name, and Social Security number should be written accurately and neatly. This cover page is used to match your documents with the record you established when you submitted the occupational questionnaire. To print a copy of the Cover Page, go to https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116000930/http://staffing.opm.gov/pdf/usascover.pdf (PDF Only). The fax number to submit your documents is (478) 757-3144. OR:

  3. Resumes in Microsoft Word document format may be e-mailed to foodinspectorapps@fsis.usda.govOR:

  4. Submit your occupational questionnaire, resume and supporting documents in hard copy by mail. To complete the occupational questionnaire in hard copy form, click this link to print a copy of the OPM Form 1203-FX or type this URL into your browser: https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/eot2008/20090116000930/http://www.opm.gov/Forms/pdf_fill/OPM1203fx.pdf (PDF Only). You can also obtain a copy of the OPM Form 1203-FX by calling USAJOBS by phone at (703) 724-1850. After the introduction, Press 1 and follow the instructions. You can also mail your documents to the address listed in the vacancy announcement. OR:

  5. You may wish to use the USAJOBS "Create a Resume" feature to create and send a resume online to Vacancy ID#526748 (Vacancy Announcement #UM188899). The completed resume can be attached to this vacancy announcement and submitted electronically. To do so, scroll down to the end of the vacancy announcement. Click on the "Apply Online" icon. Then follow the USAJOBS Web site instructions. After you complete and submit the online resume, you will receive a "Confirmation of Submission" message stating that your online resume has been successfully submitted. If you do not receive this message, please submit again as this indicates that your resume has not been received. NOTE: Submission of a resume alone MAY NOT be a complete application. Additional forms and/or supplemental materials as described in Step 4 may need to be provided.

STEP 4: Submit supplemental documents, if required. If you qualify based on education, a copy of a transcript is required. To receive veterans' preference, a copy of your DD-214 is required along with SF-15 and supporting documentation from the VA within 1 year if applicable. These documents can be submitted electronically using the document upload process, fax, or mail. Please ensure that your supplemental documents contain your full name, address, phone and at least the last four digits of your Social Security number.
After successfully completing Steps 1-4, you have completed the steps you need to be considered for Food Inspector positions with the Food Safety and Inspection Service. You should receive written notification of your questionnaire score within 4-6 weeks.
FULL-TIME FOOD INSPECTOR: Informational Material and Application Forms
INTERMITTENT FOOD INSPECTOR: Informational Material and Application Forms

Application must be made separately for these on-call positions which are limited to 1280 hours per year and have limited benefits.


Last Modified: December 19, 2008

 

 

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