Food Inspector Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

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Functional Title: Inspector VI Team Lead Job Title: Inspector VI Agency: Dept of State Health Services Department: Meat Safety Assurance Section Posting Number: 19252 Closing Date: 08/14/2026 Posting Audience: Internal and External Occupational Category: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Salary Range: $4,801.16- $7,761.50 Pay Frequency: MonthlySalary Group: TEXAS-B-22 Shift: Day Additional Shift: Telework: Not Eligible for Telework Travel: Up to 75% Regular/Temporary: Regular Full Time/Part Time: Full time FLSA Exempt/Non-Exempt: Nonexempt Facility Location: Job Location City: ARLINGTON Job Location Address: 1301 S BOWEN RD STE 200 Other Locations: Arlington MOS Codes: 6016,6017,8012,8056,1S0X1,2A7X2,2F0X1,43HX,4E0X1,640A,68R,86M0,87G0,87I0,87Q0,8I000,8I100,8S000,ADLS,ME,MSSD,MSSE,MSSR,MST,OAP11,OAP14
This Meat Inspection Team Lead (Inspector VI) position is posted for the MSA Circuit Dallas area and all counties served by the MSA Circuit; the headquarters assignment can be changed at any time within the state to accommodate the statewide mission and business needs of the Meat Safety Assurance Unit.
* Under limited supervision of the Meat Safety Assurance Unit (MSA) Circuit Manager (CM) and with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment, serves as a Meat Inspection Team Lead (MITL) of a team consisting of up to (10) in-plant meat/poultry Inspectors V, each of whom serve as an Inspector in Charge (IIC) at up to four (4 ) establishments for an total of up to nineteen (19) establishments within an extensive geographical area of the circuit. These establishments have a state or federal grant (permit/license) to perform livestock slaughter or produce meat/poultry products for human consumption. The MITL may be assigned to and serve as an IIC of an establishment or establishments; the MITL may be assigned to provide in-plant relief inspections of other livestock slaughter/processing establishments within the assigned circuit or in other circuits within the state. The MITL personally conducts routine inspections at livestock slaughter and meat/poultry processing establishments that have a state Grant of Custom Exemption or a State Grant of Poultry/Rabbit Exemption. The MITL (and Inspectors V) perform complex daily in-plant inspections, investigations, and quality assurance reviews at establishments with a state grant (permit/license) to perform livestock slaughter or meat/poultry processing operations to ensure compliance with State and Federal laws, rules/regulations, and agency policies; evaluate and review establishment procedures and implementation; and prepare and distribute reports and correspondence dealing with the results. Through the Federal/State cooperative inspection program, the MITL (and Inspectors V) perform the functions as herein described in establishments with a Grant of Inspection from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) but with MSA staffing. Safe operation of a state provided vehicle (state vehicle or rental) or personal vehicle is required to conduct state business and the employee must maintain an acceptable driving record in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures, and standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to actively participating or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation; such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment or location.
Essential Job Functions (EJFs):
* Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.
* (45%) Serves as a Meat Inspection Team Lead (MITL) of a meat inspection team. The team may consist of up to ten (10) in-plant meat/poultry Inspectors V each of whom serve as an Inspector in Charge (IIC) at up to four (4) establishments for an approximate total of up to sixteen (16) establishments within an extensive geographical area of the circuit that have a state or federal grant to perform livestock slaughter or produce meat/poultry products for human consumption. Research policy, rules, regulations, directives, notices, and other regulatory documents regarding proper identification and disposition of non-compliances noted during inspections. Coaches, facilitates, solves work problems, and participates in the work of the team. In coordination with the Circuit Manager, schedules and assigns inspection locations to team members. Correlates with team members on conducting inspection procedures in a timely manner and in accordance with State and Federal law, rules, regulations, directives, notices and other regulatory documents. Evaluates Noncompliance Records (NR) and other inspection related procedures and documentation prepared by team IIC for accuracy and legal content. Ensures that all required documentation is accurate, complete, concise, understandable, legible, and timely. Provides technical assistance and correlation to team IIC in assessing the adequacy of establishments' compliance with Humane Slaughter, Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), Recall Plan, pathogen reduction systems, and other regulatory procedures. Identifies training needs and informs Circuit management. Mediates disputes between team members and between team members and establishment management. Prepares reports and maintains records of teamwork accomplishments and administrative information, as required, and coordinates the preparation, presentation, and communication of work-related information to Circuit management. Reports to the Circuit Manager periodically on team and individual work accomplishments, problems, progress in mastering tasks and work processes, and individual and team training needs. Intercedes on behalf of the team to inform the Circuit Manager of performance management issues/problems and to recommend/request related actions, such as assignments, reassignments, promotions, tour of duty changes, peer reviews, and performance appraisals.
* (25%) Under technical monitoring by the Circuit Meat Inspection Operations Officer (CMIOO) and in accordance with MSA policy and procedures, conducts routine inspections at livestock slaughter and meat/poultry processing establishments with a State Grant of Custom Exemption or a State Grant of Poultry/Rabbit Exemption within the team's area of responsibility; may assist/provide relief for other MITL in conducting similar inspections in the other MITL's area of responsibility. Reports egregious violations and noncompliance's immediately to circuit management; otherwise, provides routine reports in a timely manner.
* (25%) Functions as an In-Plant IIC or relief inspector as directed. Evaluates livestock slaughter or meat/poultry processing establishment(s) to determine continuous compliance with all applicable State and Federal laws, rules, and regulations. In accordance with inspection programs and procedures including MSA and USDA/FSIS rules, regulations, directives, notices, or other regulatory documents: performs ante- and post-mortem procedures in livestock slaughter establishments or monitors/verifies processing activities in meat/poultry processing establishments; ensures compliance with humane slaughter requirements; performs daily sanitation inspections (pre-operation & during operation), scheduled or unscheduled inspection tasks; verifies establishment's food safety systems (e.g., SPS; SSOP; HACCP systems; other prerequisite plans) as implemented in inspected facilities. Identifies all establishment regulatory noncompliance(s) and properly documents them on Noncompliance Record (NR). Using word processing, spreadsheets, the internet, and email, prepares and submits technical reports outlining violations of regulations. Assures that all DSHS and MSA required documentation is accurate, concise, and timely. Maintains establishment files in accordance with MSA procedures. Monitors establishment microbiological sampling systems and collects tissue samples for mandated State microbiological, residue, and economic sampling programs. Documents and prepares collected samples and submits them in a timely manner to the appropriate designated laboratory. Evaluates formulae and methods used in preparing meat/poultry products pertaining to their potential as a vehicle for transmission of disease or disease producing organisms or their toxins. Makes recommendations concerning the compliance of labels using mathematical and analytical analysis where required.
* (5%) Other duties as assigned include but are not limited to: Recognizes zoonotic diseases, reports them to the appropriate authority, and may participate in their investigation. Promotes public education on sanitary practices through individual contacts or civic or other public meetings. Actively participating or serving in a supporting role to meet the agency's obligations for disaster response or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation; such participation may require an alternate shift pattern assignment or location. Employee must have a valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state and maintain an acceptable driving record that meets the standards developed by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) by safely operating a personal vehicle or state owned vehicle to conduct state business in accordance with DSHS Policy OS-3901, Fleet Operations and Management & Procedures, and Texas motor vehicle, traffic, and driving licensing law.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs):
Thorough knowledge of all phases of livestock slaughter operations and meat/poultry processing and fabrication procedures
*Knowledge of Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), principles and application of Sanitation Standard Operating Procedure (SSOP), principles and application of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), humane slaughter, pathogen reduction, and other mandated quality control programs within the meat/poultry industry
*Knowledge of inspection protocols specific to a HACCP establishment environment
*Knowledge of State and Federal laws, rules, regulations, directives, notices, and other regulatory documents
*Knowledge of the principles, practices, and procedures of veterinary medicine; animal and human disease prevention and control methods and procedures; zoonosis diseases and controls; food animal anatomy; epidemiology; techniques used in the collection of specimens and their testing; state and federal livestock disease control rules and regulations, methods, and practices
*Working knowledge of regulations governing safe and effective insect and rodent control
*Working knowledge of the basic rules of evidence
*Skill in conducting inspections, in determining proper courses of action, and in using instruments or tools necessary to perform inspections and collect samples
*Skill in applying basic mathematics using addition, subtraction, division, multiplication, fractions, decimals, percentages, parts per million, and weights/measures
*Ability to prepare reports, to gather and analyze data, to interpret laws and regulations, and to train others
*Ability to rationalize clearly, to exercise sound judgment, and evaluate words and phrases commonly used on meat product labels, in technical reports and similar documents
*Ability to deal with people in a tactful manner and help them understand the full implications of the regulatory requirements found in State and Federal law, rules/regulations, and other regulatory documents
*Ability to explain proper interpretation of technical requirements pertaining to SPS, SSOP, HACCP, humane slaughter, trade labeling
*Ability to follow oral and written directions implicitly
*Ability to establish and maintain working relationships and to express ideas clearly and concisely
*Ability to detect the normal from the abnormal in the inspection process
*Ability to pass a standardized color vision test
*Ability to identify sanitary deficiencies and potential disease conditions of livestock
*Ability to use the computer for word processing, spreadsheets, and email
Registration or Licensure Requirements:
Registration or Licensure Requirements: Must possess a valid Class C (or higher) Texas driver's license or equivalent license from another state *Must possess certification for successful completion of a U.S. Department of Agriculture(USDA), Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) Food Safety Regulatory Essentials (FSRE) training course or equivalent *Certification for Enforcement Investigations and Analysis Officer (EIAO) Training is preferred but not required. If the incumbent is not EIAO qualified, there is an expectation that the incumbent will obtain the certification at the first available opportunity at State expense.
Initial Selection Criteria:
The applicant must docum