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Canadian Food Inspection Agency Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$54K - $86K/yr

Coordinate with other Federal agencies (e.g., the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or U.S ... food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or similar position with ...

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Canadian Food Inspection Agency information

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$11K

$40.8K

$63K

How much do canadian food inspection agency jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for canadian food inspection agency in the United States is $40,785.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $43,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do food safety inspectors make in Canada?

Food safety inspectors in Canada typically earn between CAD 50,000 and CAD 70,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and level of certification. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency employs many of these inspectors, who often require knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory compliance.

What is the difference between Canadian Food Inspection Agency vs Food Safety Inspector?

AspectCanadian Food Inspection AgencyFood Safety Inspector
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in food science, biology, or related fields; certifications in food safety are commonRequires similar educational background; certifications in food safety and inspection are often necessary
Work EnvironmentGovernment offices, inspection sites, laboratories, and field inspections across CanadaField inspections at food production facilities, retail outlets, and processing plants
Employer & IndustryGovernment agency overseeing food safety, import/export, and food standardsPrivate or public sector roles focusing on food safety compliance and inspections

Both roles involve food safety and inspection duties, often requiring similar credentials and certifications. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is a government body overseeing nationwide food standards, while a Food Safety Inspector may work in various settings ensuring compliance at specific facilities. The main difference lies in the scope and employer, with the CFIA being a federal agency and Food Safety Inspectors working in diverse environments.

What is the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and what does it do?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a federal government agency responsible for safeguarding food, animals, and plants in Canada. Its main roles include enforcing food safety regulations, protecting plant and animal health, and ensuring that products meet Canadian standards. The CFIA conducts inspections, monitors imports and exports, and responds to food safety emergencies to help protect consumers and support the Canadian food industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and why are they important?

To thrive at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), you typically need a background in food science, biology, agriculture, or a related field, along with relevant degrees or certifications. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, inspection protocols, and regulatory compliance systems is essential. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving, and effective communication skills set candidates apart in this role. These abilities are critical to ensuring food safety, public health, and regulatory compliance across Canada's food supply chain.

What jobs pay 500,000 a year in Canada?

In Canada, very few roles, including senior executives such as CEOs or CFOs, typically reach annual salaries of $500,000 or more. These high-paying positions often require extensive experience, advanced education, and leadership responsibilities, and may include bonuses and stock options. Most other jobs in the public sector or specialized industries do not commonly reach this salary level.

What are some common challenges faced by inspectors at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and how are they addressed?

Inspectors at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance across diverse food production environments, keeping up with evolving regulations, and managing high volumes of inspections within tight deadlines. These challenges are addressed through comprehensive training, ongoing professional development, and strong support from multidisciplinary teams. Inspectors also benefit from standardized procedures and access to specialized resources, which help them maintain consistency and accuracy in their work while collaborating closely with colleagues in science, policy, and enforcement divisions.

Can US citizens get jobs in Canada?

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency hires both Canadian citizens and permanent residents, but US citizens can also apply if they obtain the necessary work authorization or visas. Employment eligibility depends on immigration status, and some positions may require specific certifications or language skills. It is important to meet Canadian immigration requirements to work legally in Canada.

How to become a food inspector in Canada?

To become a food inspector in Canada, candidates typically need a post-secondary education in food science, biology, or a related field, along with relevant work experience. Certification from provincial or federal agencies may be required, and inspectors must understand food safety standards and regulations. Strong attention to detail and knowledge of inspection tools are essential for the role.
More about Canadian Food Inspection Agency jobs
What cities are hiring for Canadian Food Inspection Agency jobs? Cities with the most Canadian Food Inspection Agency job openings:
What states have the most Canadian Food Inspection Agency jobs? States with the most job openings for Canadian Food Inspection Agency jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Canadian Food Inspection Agency jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Canadian Food Inspection Agency jobs are:
Infographic showing various Canadian Food Inspection Agency job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Part Time. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,785 per year, or $19.6 per hour.
Consumer Safety Inspector

Consumer Safety Inspector

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Waterloo, IA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$40K - $80K/yr

Full-time

Posted 7 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Ensure that regulated establishments produce a safe product by executing appropriate inspection methods, determining non-compliance with regulatory requirements, documenting noncompliance, and initiating enforcement action where warranted.

  • Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishments' Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans meet regulatory requirements and are effectively executed to prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration of product.

  • Review records, observe plant operations, conduct hands-on verification to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, and prepare detailed documentation of non-compliance.


Job description

Summary
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Programis available.
Shifts and species will vary based on assignment. For add'l information call Dr. David Carroll 712-522-7878.
NPIS CI/VI Inspection
Employee may be detailed to any shift at any plant in theDes Moines District.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
  • YOU WILL/MAY:
  • Ensure that regulated establishments produce a safe product by executing appropriate inspection methods, determining non-compliance with regulatory requirements, documenting noncompliance and initiating enforcement action, where warranted.
  • Verify that meat and poultry slaughter and/or processing establishment's Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans meet regulatory requirements.
  • Verify execution of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) Plans effectively to prevent unsanitary conditions and adulteration of product.
  • Review records, observe plant operations and conduct hands-on verification to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and prepare detailed documentation (Non-Compliance Records) of non-compliance with regulatory requirements.
  • Determine when regulatory control action is necessary. You will assess whether the plant's corrective or preventative actions are acceptable and effective, if there are trends in non-compliance, or if enforcement action is warranted.
  • Conduct regulatory oversight activities inside plants in matters relating to other consumer protections (e.g., economic adulteration and misbranding).
  • Have contact with plant managers, owners and others to explain legal and regulatory requirements, discuss operation of the plant's SSOP, HACCP plan and other food safety programs.
  • Communicate and defend determinations on non-compliance issues and discuss plans for addressing non-compliance.
  • Work with a variety of individuals to resolve problems, clarify differences of interpretation concerning HACCP and other food safety or consumer protection requirements.
  • Advise other Agency inspectors, supervisors and officers on inspection and enforcement matters for which you are involved.
  • Conduct various samplings, surveys and tests to obtain pertinent data on potential problem areas, industry trends, or other issues of current interest to the Agency.
  • Be involved in performing health and safety verification sampling and tests for detection of specific microbes (e.g., salmonella, listeria, etc.), residues or contaminants.
  • Assure that products approved for import are in full compliance with all applicable Federal regulations governing the importation of meat and poultry products.
  • Authorize entry of all meat or poultry products considered to comply with Federal regulations or refuse entry of any products which violate any of the requirements for admission into this country.
  • Coordinate with other Federal agencies (e.g., the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service or U.S. Customs and Border Protection) on such matters as animal health restrictions and refused entry lots.

Requirements
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Conditions of employment
  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Must be at least 18 years of age.
  • Successful completion of a pre-employment medical examination.
  • If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
  • False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
  • Training as a condition of employment (TCOE) is required. You must begin the training within 90 days of the effective date of your selection, and you must successfully complete it within 12 months of the effective date of your selection.
  • Should be able to read, speak, write, and effectively communicate in the English language.

Qualifications
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.
Time-In-Grade:
Applicants must meet requirements for one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade. (e.g. one year at the GS-05 grade level for consideration for the GS-07 grade level.)
Specialized Experience:
Specialized experience is experience that provided you with knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities or other products for human consumption. Such experience may have been acquired in work such as consumer safety inspector or inspection aide, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or similar position with responsibility for sampling, quality control and sanitation in a food manufacturing or production environment, or similar environment for other ingestible items.
See specific grade level specialized experience definitions below.
For the GS-05 Level: Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience that provided knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities and substances; such as: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food or beverages for human consumption, or other ingestible substances, such as pharmaceuticals. You are to show in your resume examples such as applying proper techniques for collecting samples and/or performing field tests and examinations (e.g. identifying abnormalities in the product or production environment and recommending corrective actions), developing written reports and/or reporting findings of results orally (e.g. documenting abnormalities in the product or production environment and communicating those findings to others), and/or skill in maintaining effective personal contacts with a variety of individuals (e.g. discussing findings with internal or external contacts regarding the food safety standards established in the production environment), or other similar work making determinations on products for human consumption or the production environment (e.g. ensuring conformance with established standards). Such experience may have been acquired working positions such as consumer safety inspector or inspection aid, food inspector, public health inspector, quality inspection specialist, or other related position.
For the GS-07 Level: In addition to the qualifications above, applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level), and incumbents are expected to have performed standard and recurrent duties on an independent basis. Your resume should demonstrate at least 52 weeks of experience in independently carrying out routine, standard assignments on a regular and recurring basis that provided you with knowledge of the properties and characteristics of regulated food commodities and substances; such as: meat, poultry, fish, eggs, or other food for human consumption, and other ingestible substances, such as pharmaceuticals.
For the GS-08 Level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level). In addition to the qualifications above, experience must include working with the Federal Meat, Poultry, and Egg Products Inspection Acts in order to inspect meat, poultry and egg products; working with basic SSOP and HACCP principles and practices in order to verify plant HACCP and SSOP responsibilities; performing basic mathematics and elementary statistical concepts and methods to perform testing and sampling procedures; and experience in reaching and interpreting conclusions.
For the GS-09 Level: Applicants must have at least one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-08 level). In addition to the qualifications above, incumbents are expected to have experience working at a more independent level than lower graded CSIs, which may include duties such as recommending refusal of exports and providing temporary coverage at locations outside of the official duty station.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Please view OPM's Qualifications Standards, Consumer Safety Inspector Series, GS-1862.
The duties of a Consumer Safety Inspector are performed in a hazardous working environment. For additional information, please click here. The below requirements are not an all-inclusive list. Failure to fully meet a functional requirement is not automatically disqualifying.
Education
Education may be used to qualify in lieu of specialized experience as described below.
For the GS-05 level: Successful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree with major study or at least 24 semester hours/credits in any combination of coursework in the areas of: agricultural, biological, or physical sciences, food technology, epidemiology, home economics, pharmacy, engineering, or nutrition. Specialized government or military training may be creditable if it is related directly to this position.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only education in excess of the first 60 semester hours of a course of study leading to a bachelor's degree (with some related coursework, as described in number 2 above) is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% education, then you need 67% specialized experience.
For the GS-07 Level: One full year of directly related graduate education is qualifying for GS-7.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only graduate education directly related to the work of the position is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.
For the GS-09 Level: Two full years of directly related graduate education or a directly related master's degree is qualifying for GS-9.
OR
A combination of education and specialized experience. In this instance, only graduate education in excess of the first 18 semester hours directly related to the work of the position is creditable towards meeting the requirements, along with specialized work experience. The combination must equal 100% of the requirement. For example, if you have 33% of the education requirement, then you will need 67% of the specialized experience requirement.
Additional information
THIS POSITION REQUIRES A PRE-EMPLOYMENT PHYSICAL. Position Requirements.
Applicants must:
  • Be physically and medically able to efficiently perform the essential job functions, without being a direct threat to themselves and others.
  • Have full range of motion to perform rapid repetitive twisting and working with arms above shoulder level.
  • Be able to stand and walk on slippery and uneven floors and catwalks, and climbing stairs and ladders.
  • Be able to lift, carry, push and pull up to 30 pounds, with occasional lifting of up to 50 pounds.
  • Have manual dexterity of the upper body, including arms, hands, and fingers with a normal sense of touch in both hands.
  • Have good near and distance vision, be free of chronic eye disease and have correctable vision of at least 20/40 in one eye.
  • Have the ability to distinguish shades of color. Any significant degree of color blindness (more than 25 percent error rate on approved color plate test) may be disqualifying.
  • Individuals with some hearing loss and/or requiring hearing amplification will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

If you are a current FSIS employee and a non-competitive applicant (reassignment, change to lower grade, or non-competitive re-promotion) wanting consideration for this position, you must complete the online application process and/or apply using the new online self-service Reassignment System at: https://ohrportal.fsis.usda.gov/systems.
Assignment Restrictions: FSIS Directive 4735.9, Office of Field Operations Assignment Restrictions and Rules on Gifts from Regulated Industry, sets out the Agency's requirements regarding employee assignment restrictions, as it pertains to family and personal relationships. Please read before applying.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (o