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Meat Inspector Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Comfortable handling meat products and working in cold-storage environments. * Ability to inspect products, labels, and code dates for quality and accuracy. Preferred Experience * General labor ...

Prep Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

Prepare food for events which includes: cutting of vegetables, fabricating meat, fish & poultry ... Department of Inspections and Appeals. * Assess food items daily to ensure they meet quality ...

Prep Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

Prepare food for events which includes: cutting of vegetables, fabricating meat, fish & poultry ... Department of Inspections and Appeals. Assess food items daily to ensure they meet quality ...

Prep Cook

Ames, IA · On-site

$14 - $17.50/hr

... meat, fish & poultry items, soups, sauces, slicing deli meats and other items as assigned and ... Inspections and Appeals. • Assess food items daily to ensure they meet quality standards set ...

This position is responsible for the safe and efficient set up, inspection and operation of equipment/machinery utilized in the processing of meat products. Additionally, responsible for following ...

Load packages of vacuum sealed meat into boxes * Remove packages (one or two at a time) and inspect labels, product position and overall visual quality, according to order specifications. * Place ...

Load packages of vacuum sealed meat into boxes * Remove packages (one or two at a time) and inspect labels, product position and overall visual quality, according to order specifications. * Place ...

Load packages of vacuum sealed meat into boxes * Remove packages (one or two at a time) and inspect labels, product position and overall visual quality, according to order specifications. * Place ...

PRODUCTION HOURLY

Ottumwa, IA

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Inspect meat or meat products and/or packaging. Stay aware of your surroundings and notify a supervisor if you recognize a hazard. Other duties as assigned. Working Conditions: Production and ...

PRODUCTION HOURLY

Ottumwa, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Inspect meat or meat products and/or packaging. Stay aware of your surroundings and notify a supervisor if you recognize a hazard. Other duties as assigned. Working Conditions: Production and ...

PRODUCTION HOURLY

Ottumwa, IA · On-site

$14.50 - $17.50/hr

Inspect meat or meat products and/or packaging. Stay aware of your surroundings and notify a supervisor if you recognize a hazard. Other duties as assigned. Working Conditions: Production and ...

Showing results 21-40

Meat Inspector information

See Iowa salary details

$18

$21

$23

How much do meat inspector jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for meat inspector in Iowa is $21.09, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.18 and $23.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How do you become a meat inspector?

To become a meat inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, followed by specialized training in meat inspection or food safety. Many states require passing a written exam and gaining certification from agencies such as the USDA, which may also involve on-the-job training and periodic recertification.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a meat inspector?

To thrive as a Meat Inspector, you need a solid understanding of food safety regulations, animal anatomy, and quality control procedures, typically supported by relevant certifications or completion of government-approved training programs. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory testing equipment, and digital record-keeping systems is often required. Strong attention to detail, communication skills, and the ability to work independently are valuable soft skills in this role. These qualifications ensure that meat products are safe for consumption and comply with all regulatory standards.

Is it hard to become a meat inspector?

Becoming a meat inspector typically requires completing relevant education or training, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, and passing a certification exam. The process involves understanding food safety standards, inspection procedures, and sometimes gaining experience in meat processing environments, making it a specialized but attainable career path for those with the necessary skills and training.

What are the typical challenges faced by meat inspectors on the job?

Meat Inspectors often encounter challenges such as working in cold or fast-paced processing environments, staying vigilant during repetitive inspections, and consistently applying complex food safety regulations. They may also need to handle difficult conversations with plant staff when identifying violations or unsafe practices. Despite these challenges, inspectors play a crucial role in protecting public health and often work alongside other quality assurance professionals. Regular training and a supportive team structure help overcome these challenges and promote professional growth in the field.

What are popular job titles related to Meat Inspector jobs in Iowa?

For Meat Inspector jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Meat Inspector jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Meat Inspector jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Meat Inspector job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 68% Full Time, 31% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $43,861 per year, or $21.1 per hour.

Administrative Assistant 2 - Polk Co

State of Iowa

Des Moines, IA • On-site

$50K - $74K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 21 days ago


State Of Iowa rating

7.0

Company rating: 7.0 out of 10

Based on 83 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 50 rated states


Job description

Job Description The approximately 345 employees of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS)are responsible for programs that impact the quality of life of every Iowan. From supporting Iowa agriculture to protecting consumers and ensuring food safety, the work of IDALS touches communities across the state every day. Your work behind the scenes helps ensure Iowa consumers have access to safe, high-quality meat and poultry products.

The Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureauis seeking a full-time Administrative Assistant 2 to join our team at the Hoover State Office Building in Des Moines. In this role, you will provide administrative and operational support that helps advance the Bureau's mission of inspecting locker plants, small packing plants, and other meat processing facilities to ensure compliance with food safety and humane animal handling standards under the Iowa Meat and Poultry Inspection Act. Your work will help keep Iowa's food supply safe while supporting one of the state's most important industries.

What You'll Do Provide administrative support to the Bureau Chief, assisting with bureau operations, program coordination, and communication with other bureaus, agencies, industry partners, and the public. Serve as the Bureau's primary coordinator for information technology needs, including onboarding new employees, coordinating hardware and software updates, and administering higher-level user roles within Workday and the USDA Public Health Information System. Collect, review, and maintain bureau data, including field staff reports, plant production totals, inspection records, and laboratory sample results while organizing data through spreadsheets and reporting tools.

Assist in developing and managing the Bureau's annual budget requests by tracking expenditures, fees, and costs in partnership with the Accounting team. Coordinate the Bureau's laboratory sampling programs by serving as the primary liaison with laboratory staff, communicating sampling needs, and tracking testing results. What Will Help You Succeed Demonstrate excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to build positive working relationships with coworkers, partner agencies, industry representatives, and the public.

Be highly organized, self-motivated, and capable of managing multiple priorities while working independently in both office and remote environments. Have experience managing and analyzing data using Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Access, or similar programs, and presenting information in clear, meaningful reports. Possess experience developing, monitoring, or supporting budgets and funding requests.

Have experience onboarding and training employees, coordinating user access to systems, and managing agency technology resources and equipment. Be comfortable using Workday or similar human resource information systems to support staff and troubleshoot routine personnel or system-related questions. Applicants are encouraged to attach a resume and cover letter during the application process.

Documents may be uploaded in the Attachments section of the application. Why IDALS. At the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, our work matters.

Every day, our employees help protect Iowa's food supply, support agricultural innovation, promote environmental stewardship, and serve the people who make Iowa a national leader in agriculture. Joining IDALS means becoming part of a collaborative team dedicated to public service, continuous improvement, and meaningful work that makes a difference across the state. Whether you're supporting our inspectors behind the scenes or working directly with stakeholders, your contributions help strengthen Iowa's agricultural future.

Benefits As a State of Iowa employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including: Affordable, high-quality health insurance with low monthly premiums. Dental insurance at no cost for single coverage. Employer-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability insurance, with optional supplemental life insurance available.

Membership in the Iowa Public Employees' Retirement System (IPERS), a defined-benefit pension plan. Optional deferred compensation plan with a State match of up to $75 per month. Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, sick leave, military leave, and jury duty leave.

Learn more about the outstanding benefits available to State of Iowa employees by visiting the State of Iowa Benefits webpage. E-Verify and Right to Work: The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Within the required timeframe, new hires will be verified through the E-Verify system to ensure authorization to work in the United States.

The State of Iowa also complies with the federal Right to Work laws, which protect employees' rights to work without being required to join a labor organization. For more information, please visit www.e-verify.gov. Minimum Qualification Requirements Applicants must meet at least one of the following minimum requirements to qualify for positions in this job classification: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree in any field, and experience equal to one year of full-time administrative support (e.g., screening visitors and callers; opening/distributing mail, typing/proofing documents, letters, and reports; organizing files; scheduling meetings/appointments; arranging travel; processing travel claims; ordering supplies/equipment) or technical support work (e.g., determining budget, personnel, and equipment needs; compiling/evaluating statistical, historical, economic, business, financial or technical program data; interpreting or securing compliance with laws, rules and regulations; reviewing operating records/reports and evaluating their effectiveness)

A total of five years of education and/or full-time experience (as described in number one) where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university course work in any field equals one year of full-time experience. Current, continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes experience equal to 12 months of full-time work as an Administrative Assistant 1. For additional information, please click on this link to view the job description.


What State Of Iowa employees say

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State of Iowa logo

About State of Iowa

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The State of Iowa is not a company but the governmental structure of the U.S. state of Iowa, stationed in the capital city, Des Moines. The official website, iowa.gov, is a platform dedicated to providing information and services related to the state's governance. As a governmental establishment, the State of Iowa's 'industry' primarily involves social governance, policy-making, and public administration, overseeing sectors like education, health, transportation, agriculture, and other public services.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Des Moines, IA, US

Year founded

1939