inspector

medical technologist

deputy director

student trainee

senior public affairs specialist

Usda-Food-Safety-and-Inspection-Service

Personally, I loved working for the USDA for many reasons (both idealistic and practical) but found my self running into seriously frustrating aspects of the job. The USDA is one of the "better" federal government agencies to work for however, one is always confronted with typical government attitudes among some employees and management. USDA and the associated administrative agencies are EXCELLENT with regards to general treatment of employees, processing pay, benefits, work life balance etc.,

I started as a Food Inspector. Unfortunately, FSIS is constantly understaffed and new hires may or may not possess aspirations at a serious career in Food Inspection because, the service is constantly hiring ANYONE who can fill line-production inspector positions. The initial training has been reduced to an eight hour orientation at the local district office; I attended two because I've separated and returned more than once; the agency typically neglects to inform the new hires that they are entering into an environment where inspectors can potentially be sued for lost profits in the event of unjustified government control actions (basically "gross negligence," overreach, and/or abuse of authority); inspectors have the authority in the inspection process to stop all production (which is an immediately realized expense to the company). An inspector learns this aspect, "ad hoc," at around the year and a half mark when supervisors begin to take notice of the inspector; as they reached the landmark promotion to GS-07 level six months prior at the 52 week promotion.

The pay starts out low--"very low" (with regards to comparative professions--think Police Officers starting salaries)--however, it increases, significantly, over a relatively short time and the trade off of "more" job security makes this position tempting as a life long career. Overtime can put an extra grand or more on your paycheck (pretty sweeeeet...) but OT begins to grow old and inconvenient as it begins to affect your personal life and relationships. At five years an Inspector is "vested" with the agency and the federal government in general; and after five years the chance for promotion "out" of the inspection role begins to decrease, dramatically. The benefits are excellent and inspectors have almost immediate access to standard corporate benefits e.g., healthcare, dental insurance, vision ins., life ins., a government 401k matching retirement along with your anticipated social  security, medicare and medicaid.  

For inspectors, a typical workday is eight to ten hours of non-stop, fast paced, high pressure and highly responsive (immediate) applications of the mountainous Code of Federal Regulations, USDA directives, as well as the respective corporation's standard operating procedures and program processes. I've heard many inspectors describe the daily routine as "monotonous" however, I tend to perceive the daily routine as an exercise in concentration and awareness. Food Inspectors are on their feet ALL day; in certain cases up to twelve hours per day, depending upon the duty station assignment; and the environment can be both extreme (EXTREME heat/cold) and "potentially" hostile, as inspectors and the accompanying supervisory staff are technically adversaries of the company--even though the USDA FSIS is technically a contracted service. Also, packing houses aren't the most "glamorous" work environments.

The work is somewhat scientifically oriented and thus has some interesting aspects; Entry qualifications specify a basic Bachelor's degree requirement however, this apparently has not been the case in the history of USDA Food Inspection; FSIS staffing demands for the positions have increased at a ridiculous rate, while the number of people who are willing to tolerate many aspects of the work environment have decreased, dramatically; the agency will also accept a meager one year in food production as a qualifier (where food production has VERY easy entry requirements in general);

I possess a Master of Science and a Bachelor's; I am a statistician, industrial engineer, and economist. So, I accepted this position under the specific assumption that I would begin in "public service" and eventually promote based upon both my time-in-grade and my degree qualifications. Within six months, the fact was clear that "promoting off line" (as they say) into a serious scientific role was quickly becoming a vaporous fantasy; I held near perfect attendance and performance while other career applications which I submitted with USDA, in other positions, were returning with a "no" with various bureaucratic explanations attached to them. Also, the "performance evaluation" process and standards change per ever new presidential administration; but FSIS has a known history for undervaluing the inspectors' performances--(an inspector can be perfect in performance and still only receive a "meets expectations" rating); that rating is only one or two mistakes away from "doesn't meet expectation" and a subsequent "probationary" period and permanent mark on their professional (degree) performance record.  

The majority of support staff and supervisors are very civil and friendly; they're courteous, timely and helpful as, most are government administrators and career experts on bureaucracy; they  are promptly willing to help subordinates with work problems--for example, timely payment of salaries is a very serious issue among the supervisors and administrators; MOST supervisory veterinarians (the main authority of all field operation duty stations) are extremely responsive and instructive, to INTERESTED employees; they always have learning plans and objectives within the complexities of food inspection. The veterinarian staff (unless they're drunks) are always willing to train inspectors with identifying complex pathogens; which in many instances becomes a very complex task. 

So, upon initial introduction everyone is well regarded but there is a tendency of staff and personnel to develop "game playing" strategies for various political and social reasons--so if a person enjoys playing games with other people then that person would probably fit in well at their local field office. I don't enjoy having to "play games" with people or manipulating others to achieve an objective so, I grew increasingly frustrated with this aspect as well.

Personally, I loved working for the USDA for many reasons (both idealistic and practical) but found my self running into seriously frustrating aspects of the job; The USDA is one of the "better" federal government agencies to work for however, one is always confronted with typical government attitudes among some employees and management. USDA and the associated administrative agencies are EXCELLENT with regards to general treatment of employees, processing pay, benefits, work life balance etc., 

I started as a Food Inspector. Unfortunately, FSIS is constantly understaffed and new hires may or may not possess aspirations at a serious career in Food Inspection because, the service is constantly hiring ANYONE who can fill line-production inspector positions. The initial training has been reduced to an eight hour orientation at the local district office; I attended two and the agency typically neglects to inform the new hires that they are entering into an environment where inspectors can potentially be sued for lost profits in the event of unjustified government control actions (basically "gross negligence," overreach, and/or abuse of authority) as inspectors have the authority in the inspection process to stop all production in the event of perceived violations until the corporation takes corrective actions to become compliant. An inspector learns this aspect, "ad hoc," at around the year and a half mark when supervisors begin to take notice of the inspector; as they have reached the landmark promotion to GS-07 level.   

The pay starts out low--"very low" (with regards to comparative professions--think Police Officers starting salaries) however, it increases, significantly, over a relatively short time and the trade off of "more" job security makes this position tempting as a life long career. At five years an Inspector is "vested" with the agency and the federal government in general; and after five years the chance for promotion "out" of the inspection role begins to decrease, dramatically.

For inspectors a typical workday is eight to ten hours of non-stop, fast paced, high pressure and highly responsive (immediate) applications of the mountainous Code of Federal Regulations, USDA directives, as well as the respective corporation's standard operating procedures and program processes. I've heard many inspectors describe the daily routine as "monotonous" however, I tend to perceive the daily routine as an exercise in concentration and awareness. Food Inspectors are on their feet ALL day; in certain cases up to twelve hours per day, depending upon the duty station assignment; and the environment can be both extreme (EXTREME heat/cold) and "potentially" hostile, as inspectors and the accompanying supervisory staff are technically adversaries of the company--even though the USDA FSIS is technically a contracted service. 

The work is scientifically oriented and thus has very interesting aspects; Entry qualifications specify a basic Bachelor's degree requirement however, this apparently has not been the case in the history of USDA Food Inspection as the USDA staffing demands for the positions have increased at a ridiculous rate, while the number of people who are willing to tolerate many aspects of the work environment have decreased, dramatically; the agency will also accept a meager one year in food production as a qualifier (where food production has VERY easy entry requirements in general);

I possess a Master of Science and a Bachelor's; I am a statistician, industrial engineer, and economist so, I accepted this position under the specific assumption that I would begin in "public service" and eventually promote based upon both my time-in-grade and my degree qualifications. Within six months, the fact was clear that promoting "off line" (as they say) into a serious scientific role was quickly becoming a vaporous fantasy; I held near perfect attendance and performance while applications which I submitted with USDA in other positions were returning with a "no" with various bureaucratic explanations attached to them. 

The majority of support staff and supervisors are very civil and friendly; they are courteous, timely and helpful as most are government  career experts and administrators and are promptly willing to help subordinates with work problems--for example, timely payment of salaries is a very serious issue among the supervisors and administrators; MOST supervisory veterinarians (the main authority of all field operation duty stations) are extremely responsive and instructive, to INTERESTED employees, with learning plans and objectives within the complexities of food inspection e.g. they are always willing to train inspectors with identifying complex pathogens; which in many instances becomes a very complex task. So, upon initial introduction everyone is well regarded but there is a tendency of staff and personnel to develop "game playing" strategies for various political and social reasons--so if a person enjoys playing games with other people then that person would probably fit in well at their local field office. I don't enjoy having to "play games" with people or manipulating others to achieve an objective so, I grew increasingly frustrated with this aspect as well.

There are lots of opportunities to move up if you are willing to move out (change location). There are a lot of locations to transfer to when there are openings. Management tends to be a mixed bag, but overall ineffective. The ones who care are put down by the system or the frontline supervisor. The work schedule is officially static, on the application page it gives you their base hours. But the establishment controls the schedule and are only required to give 24 hours notice of a change. You could end up working 12 hour days 7 days a week and the only notice for working the weekend comes the day before. There is no enforced rule about daily overtime  except the 12 hour rule. They can't work us more than 10 hours on the line and 12 hours total. Coworkers are cut throat and devious, but does vary by location. I have worked at 7 different locations in 3 states and it has been about the same everywhere. Work is repetitive and monotonous, the pay is decent and so is the leave. It's a government job so you can find the salary in public records for the GS series according to grade. If you need money and don't care what you do, when you do it or who you work with then this could be for you. If you care about your work atmosphere, then maybe not. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
reliable paycheck, benefits okay, opportunity to move up

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working in a plant with non-workers and gossip mongers

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Work environment was either very hot and stinky, with blood, or very cold.  You have to be on the line ready to work when the chain starts.  Like any job (or school) you have nice hard worker, and people who like to start drama.  

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Get to the locker room, change into uniform, sharpen the knives, Don On and get to the floor when the buzzer rings.  Rotation occur about every forty to sixty minutes on cattle (not poultry or swine)  So you are not doing the same thing very long.  Just stand and look for biological concerns on the carcasses, or sanitation concerns in the plant.  Mindless work.  Loud, Loud, Loud equipment, fifteen minute break, thirty minute lunch, leave at end of shift, shower, go home and start over the next day.  Opportunity for OT

Good place to work for and  retire from . Advancement usually comes from time in grade not how well you work some people use and abuse some of the benefits like sick leave and don't get punished for it. There is a lot of unprofessionalism that is not addressed and the demotion of the relief 10s was a very large smack in the face for most employees across the Nation as these employees have to memorize multiple HACCP plans and travel alot be away from their families and friends challenges with getting medical and dental done at their own doctor's offices is a lot to ask for from an employee that you demote. Otherwise pretty good place to work. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
Learning and knowing that you will be serving your country in an essential function in food safety. 

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Working 6 days a week if you are a consumer safety inspector (this is a patrol position) it’s demanding and without a rotating roster it gets tiring 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Most ppl are their own island with patrolling but if you’re in-plant inspector it’s more family oriented. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Checking HACCP plans, checking records, looking over flow charts, pulling a sample for salmonella or watching the plant perform listeria samples, checking results for tests. Following up with meetings with plant managers and plant owners.

A typical day will involve to meeting in USDA break room and then going to line to inspect Poultry. You will communicate with a plant worker beside you for any Anomalies in the poultry that can be Salvaged or Thrown away. You get 2 30 min breaks and two 10 mins breaks. You will usually get overtime or occasionally leave early but still be paid for a full 8 hour shift Which was nice. You will eventually be forced to travel for 3 weeks at a time living out of an hotel and only have 2 days at home before you are the assigned to another plant . If you have no family or friends it’s the job for you but if you do STAY AWAY. Moneys good but not good enough to constantly be alone and living out of a hotel.




Solid federal experiences can be had by working in this agency. The agency is not often known, but the public knows its work that is critical in safeguarding public health and regulating the meat poultry and egg products sold for human consumption in the US an abroad. You can learn a lot about agriculture and how it plays into the American economy. Not the place for those with major entrepreneurial skill/talent, concerned with animal rights, big business conspiracies or a 'no meat' agenda. The agency is often exposed to the political whims of the current administration and intense public scrutiny.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Job security. Many locations with the ability to lateral if there are openings.



What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Severely understaffed. Supervisors dkn't approve time off until last notice, regardless of advanced notice, because of staff shortages. At the mercy of establishments schedules. Lots of overtime in some locations with no help to cover if needed.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Some inspectors create a lot of drama, oddly competitive between inspectors. Toxic.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Work 12 hours, sole individual with all the responsibility. Working 2 jobs to cover vacancies at the price of one.

Management is horrible. There is in house bullying, hiring corruption, high politics, work place violence, and targeting of employees to sum up the issues with USDA. Working for this company is playing a game that is totally evil trying to say anything different from management will put a bullseye on your back. They broken many ethical issues and conflict of interests. Management hires friendships over the right employees for the job. And management loves toxicity they will be extremely happy with employees who complain and they would never talk to directly who is at fault to find the real issues. It's completely backwards. I would never recommend anyone to work here unless you love that kind of environment 

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Inspector 21 salaries reported	$59,135 per year
Medical technologist 3 salaries reported	$58,766 per year
Deputy director 1 salary reported	$152,217 per year
Student trainee 1 salary reported	$16.14 per hour
Senior public affairs specialist 1 salary reported	$145,168 per year

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