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Job Description – Meat Poultry Relief Inspector – Billings (26141770)

Position Title

Meat Poultry Relief Inspector – Billings (26141770)

Application Materials Required

• Cover Letter – In your cover letter please describe your experience with food safety… Limit to one page. Attachments not requested will not be reviewed.
• Resume
• References – Required before offer, but not needed during application submission.

Notice Regarding Position Location – Due to the demands of the position, applicants must live within the Eastern MT district and preferably within 30 miles of Billings, MT. Applicants in Miles City may also be considered. All other locations may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

About The Opportunity

The meat and poultry inspector is the first line of defense for meat and poultry food safety. The inspector verifies that a food safety system within officially inspected slaughter and/or processing establishments complies with regulations and ensures safe food. The bureau’s function is to ensure that meat and poultry products processed in Montana meet state and federal requirements governing the wholesomeness and purity of meat and poultry products. Inspectors work with other state and federal agencies. Responsibilities include inspection of live animals, carcasses, facilities, slaughter and processing operations, finished products, sampling for laboratory testing, verifying records, inspecting labels and packaging, and recording findings in federal databases and weekly reports.

Relief Inspector Info

This is a relief inspector position with relief duties as a regular part of the incumbent’s duty assignment. The successful applicant will have regularly assigned establishments as well as state‑wide relief duties. The incumbent may be called on short notice to report to an establishment for inspection services. Overnight travel may be required several nights per week.

Key Responsibilities

• Regulatory oversight activities inside plants in matters related to Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), pathogen reduction verification procedures, food security verification procedures, and other consumer protections.
• Work within the Agency’s automated Public Health Information System (PHIS) to update establishment profiles, select inspection tasks, enter information, and react to data.
• Act as a slaughter and/or processing inspector in red meat and/or poultry plants, exercising judgment in the full range of slaughter or processing inspection functions.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of state and federal regulations on handling and labeling of meat and poultry, livestock behavior and disease symptoms, observation and sampling methods, facility and sanitation requirements, chemical use, pest control, personal hygiene, water supply, humane slaughter, additive formulations, and the ability to discern injection sites, disease symptoms, breeds, and sex of livestock. Ability to operate a motor vehicle, travel to remote locations, use computers and software, establish working relationships, perform arithmetic calculations, follow instructions, read and interpret laws and regulations, prepare reports, and discern disease characteristics.

Working Conditions

The position requires extensive travel throughout the assigned region, often to remote locations, inclement weather, and repetitive motion such as use of fingers and hands, reaching, walking, standing, climbing stairs and ladders. Inspections involve exposure to potential hazardous pathogens, live animals, knives, hooks, steam lines, sterilizers, slick floors, contagious disease, foul odors, and other hazards.

Benefits

• Health coverage
• Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays
• Opportunities for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (subject to qualification)

Education and Experience

• Completion of high school or equivalent
• One year experience in the food safety or meat industries

Conditions of Employment

Must live within the Eastern district and be within 30 miles of Billings, MT. Secondary location is within Miles City, MT.

Effective March 30, 2026, this agency participates in E‑Verify. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I‑9, information will be submitted for E‑Verify.

Training

Completion of workshops and seminars on USDA FSIS and FDA inspection methods, labeling criteria, basic livestock and poultry slaughter training, processing class, HACCP training, food safety regulation essentials, and other classroom sessions will be provided. Employees must attend and pass federal workshops and seminars pertaining to USDA FSIS and FDA labeling criteria within the first six months and a 30‑day FSIS course within one year of employment.

Security Credentials

Employees with access to FSIS systems must be credentialed through USDA and must pass a fingerprint background check.

Other Information

Applicant pool statement: If another vacancy occurs within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for selection. Training assignments may be paid below base pay and conditions will be stated at hire.

Salary

$26.16 – $26.16 per hour

Job Details

Number of Openings: 1
Employee Status: Regular
Schedule: Full‑Time
Job Type: Standard
Shift: Day Job
Travel: Yes – 75% of the time
Primary Location: Billings, MT
Other Locations: Miles City, MT

Contact

Contact Name: Human Resources
Email: Michael.Spatz2@mt.gov
Phone: 406‑444‑5684

State of Montana does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.