2

Remote Usda Food Inspector Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Remote Usda Food Inspector information

What is a remote USDA Food Inspector?

Remote USDA Food Inspectors are professionals employed by the United States Department of Agriculture to ensure food safety and compliance with federal regulations, but they perform their duties away from traditional on-site locations. Instead of working directly at food processing plants, they may use digital tools, video monitoring, or data analysis to inspect and verify food safety practices remotely. Their responsibilities include reviewing documentation, monitoring production processes, and ensuring that facilities meet USDA standards. This role helps maintain food safety while leveraging technology to increase efficiency and flexibility. Remote inspectors still play a vital role in protecting public health and supporting the food supply chain.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a remote USDA Food Inspector?

To thrive as a Remote USDA Food Inspector, you need a strong understanding of food safety regulations, inspection procedures, and relevant scientific knowledge, typically supported by a degree in food science or a related field. Familiarity with USDA inspection protocols, digital reporting systems, and food testing equipment is essential. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication are vital soft skills for accurately assessing facilities and collaborating with remote teams. These competencies ensure food safety, regulatory compliance, and public health protection in remote inspection environments.

What are common challenges faced by remote USDA Food Inspectors, and how can they be addressed?

Remote USDA Food Inspectors often face challenges such as maintaining clear communication with plant personnel, ensuring compliance with safety protocols from a distance, and managing multiple inspection sites virtually. To address these challenges, inspectors rely heavily on technology for real-time data sharing, video inspections, and thorough documentation. Staying organized, being proactive in communication, and regularly participating in training sessions help inspectors uphold high standards while working remotely.

What is the difference between Remote Usda Food Inspector vs Remote Food Safety Auditor?

AspectRemote Usda Food InspectorRemote Food Safety Auditor
CredentialsUSDA certification, food safety knowledgeFood safety certifications, auditing experience
Work EnvironmentField inspections, sometimes remote documentationRemote review of food safety systems and reports
Employer & IndustryUSDA, government agencies, food productionPrivate companies, consulting firms, food industry

Remote Usda Food Inspectors primarily conduct on-site inspections with some remote documentation, while Remote Food Safety Auditors review safety systems remotely. Both roles require food safety credentials and serve the food industry, but their focus and work environment differ.

How long does it take to become a remote USDA Food Inspector?

Becoming a remote USDA Food Inspector typically requires completing a federal employment process that includes meeting minimum qualifications, passing written exams, and undergoing training, which can take several months to over a year. Candidates often need relevant education, such as a high school diploma or equivalent, and may need to complete specialized training or certification programs before starting the role.

How to become a USDA Food Inspector?

To become a USDA Food Inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant work experience, and must pass a written exam and a background check. Additional qualifications may include knowledge of food safety standards, inspection procedures, and sometimes specialized certifications. The role often requires physical ability to conduct inspections in various environments and adherence to federal regulations.

What are popular job titles related to Remote Usda Food Inspector jobs in Colorado?

For Remote Usda Food Inspector jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Remote Usda Food Inspector jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Remote Usda Food Inspector job openings:

Staff Scientist (Interdisciplinary)

Food Safety and Inspection Service

Fort Collins, CO • On-site, Remote

$107K - $139K/yr

Full-time

This job post has expired 2 days ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Summary
This position is located in the within the Office of Policy and Program Development (OPPD). Risk Management and Innovations Staff (RMIS) handles technical evaluations for new food safety technologies.
This position is interdisciplinary and can be filled in one of the following disciplines: General Natural Resources Management And Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Consumer Safety, Chemistry or Food Technology
Learn more about this agency
Duties
Help
  • Plans, develops, and drafts Agency policy, directives, notices, and industry guidance.
  • Identifies significant development related to the assigned program area, prepares analyses of the implications and recommends program modifications.
  • Develops, publicizes, and garners support for the program agenda by meeting with other Agency program officials, key executives within the Department and USDA, as well as external agencies and parties.
  • Serves as a scientist, as a lead of a project team, and as a technical professional with USDA.
  • Initiates, plans, and conducts projects, and surveys to evaluate the effectiveness of both operational and public health performance related to food safety policy implementation and modernization to develop recommendations to modify programs.
  • While developing policy documents and leading teams, identifies conflicts or problems, communicates them to leadership and resolves them, as needed.

Requirements
Help
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.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary or trial 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/.
  • False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
  • 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.

Qualifications
Specialized Experience: To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required specialized experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying. One year of specialized experience (equivalent to GS-12) is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in, or related to, the work of the position to be filled.
A GS-13 Staff Scientist requires at least one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 level. Your experience must include all of the following:
  • Serve as a Staff Scientist, lead of a project team, and technical professional;
  • Develop project plans, adjust resources to meet the needs of a project, and stay within timelines;
  • Analyze projects related to public health, which include the study, design, analyses, and interpretation of results;
  • Plan, develop, and draft policy, including directives, notices, or other correspondence designed to clarify and implement Agency policy with a focus on attention to detail and accuracy;
  • Collaborate with an interdisciplinary team of professionals to include scientists, attorneys, policy writers, public health specialists, veterinarians, food inspectors, or compliance specialists to coordinate the work of and provide technical leadership to other employees throughout the Agency.
  • Apply independent judgment, sound reasoning, attention to detail, and subject matter expertise to analyze, develop, and implement complex regulatory policy.
  • Serving as a spokesperson and source of information for technical and non-technical audiences in order to advise on Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP)-based food safety programs, as well as animal and food science principles to produce safe meat, poultry, and egg products from farm-to-table that are properly labeled and packaged.

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 and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Since this is an interdisciplinary scientific role, you must also prove you meet the Basic Education Requirement for at least one of the parent occupational series that you are applying to. Transcripts required.
Education
0401 Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences
Basic Requirements:
Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.
or
Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Click here for more information on this series: OPM Natural Resources Management and Biological Sciences Series 0401
0403 Microbiology Series
Basic Requirements:

Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.
or
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Click here for more information on this series: OPM Microbiology Series 0403
0696 Consumer Safety Series
Basic Requirements

The education must have been obtained at a college, university, or an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education U.S. Department of Education at the time the degree was obtained.
Applicants must meet one of the following requirements.
A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in quality assurance or a related degree that included at least 30 semester hours in one or a combination of the following: consumer laws, biological sciences, food science, chemistry, pharmacy, physical sciences, food technology, nutrition, medical science, engineering, epidemiology, veterinary medical science, legal investigations, law enforcement, or related scientific fields that provided knowledge directly related to consumer safety officer work. The 30 semester hours may include up to 8 semester hours in statistics, or course work that included the principles, theory, or practical application of computers or computer programming.
or
Combination of education and experience: courses consisting of at least 30 semester hours in the fields of study described in paragraph A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Experience: To meet specialized experience requirements, the applicant's work experience must have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, abilities, and competencies necessary to perform at the grade level of the position. Qualifying experience involves enforcing laws and regulations to protect consumers from foods, drugs, cosmetics, fabrics, toys, equipment, and household products that are defective, dangerous, impure, unwholesome, ineffective, or improperly or deceptively labeled or packaged.
Click here for more information on this series: OPM Consumer Safety Series 0696
1320 Chemistry Series
Basic Requirements:

Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics.
or
Combination of education and experience: course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Click here for more information on this series: OPM Chemistry Series 1320
1382 Food Technology Series
Basic Requirements:

Degree: food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science. The course work must have been comprised of at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and physical sciences, and included at least 20 semester hours in food technology and closely related subjects, or 20 semester hours in subjects that can be applied directly to food technology.
or
Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major, including the course work specified, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.
Click here for more information on this series: OPM Food Technology Series 1382
Additional information
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 (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA).
Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of their own. To see more information visit CHCO Council.
For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veterans Recruitment Appointment (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website.
Expand Hide additional information
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Help
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.