Overview

The veterinary food inspection specialist inspects food designed for human consumption, while also supervising food inspection and combined veterinary service activities.

Job Duties

• Evaluate packaging, packing and marking requirements
  
• Identify unsanitary conditions in food storage facilities and commissary stores
  
• Operate and maintain inspection equipment
  
• Perform duties in accordance with approved standards of conduct and report suspected fraud

Training

Job training for a veterinary food inspection specialist requires 10 weeks of Basic Combat Training and eight weeks of Advanced Individual Training, including food safety/protection and quality assurance.

Some of the skills you’ll learn are:

• Inspection of red meats, poultry, water foods, eggs, dairy products, and fresh fruit and vegetables.
  
• Identify unsanitary conditions in food storage facilities.

Helpful Skills

• Interest in food safety, health, mathematics, chemistry and biology
  
• Enjoy cooking
  
• Preference for working with your hands

Required ASVAB Score(s)

Learn more about the ASVAB and see what jobs you could qualify for.

Compensation

Total compensation includes housing, medical, food, special pay, and vacation time. Learn more about total compensation.

Future Civilian Careers

The skills you learn will help prepare you for a career with the Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Depending on the specialty for which you receive training, you’ll be able to pursue a career as a city health inspector, a quality assurance auditor at a manufacturing plant, a seafood inspector, poultry and shell eggs inspector, and a fresh fruits and vegetable grader.

Your training will also enable you to pursue a career as a food inspector/auditor or sanitarian with various government agencies and civilian food producers.