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Usda Inspector Jobs in Athens, GA (NOW HIRING)

Develop and execute inspections and preventive/predictive maintenance tasks on production and ... Experience working in a food processing environment and familiar with USDA, FDA, and SQF policies ...

Production Technician II

Buckhead, GA · On-site

$21.30 - $31.97/hr

Supports company and industry standard safety policies and procedures - OSHA, NEC, NFPA, USDA, FDA, etc. * Perform inspections and complete preventive/predictive maintenance tasks on production and ...

Production Manager - Debone

Athens, GA · On-site

$102K - $124K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitoring operations to meet company policies, quality specifications, USDA and OSHA standards. * Conducting plant inspections to eliminate hazardous conditions. * Managing all aspects of operations ...

Production Manager - Debone

Athens, GA

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitoring operations to meet company policies, quality specifications, USDA and OSHA standards. * Conducting plant inspections to eliminate hazardous conditions. * Managing all aspects of operations ...

Production Manager - Debone

Athens, GA · On-site

$102K - $124K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitoring operations to meet company policies, quality specifications, USDA and OSHA standards. * Conducting plant inspections to eliminate hazardous conditions. * Managing all aspects of operations ...

Production Manager - Debone

Athens, GA

$102K - $124K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitoring operations to meet company policies,quality specifications, USDA and OSHA standards. * Conducting plant inspections to eliminate hazardous conditions. * Managing all aspects of operations ...

Production Manager - Debone

Athens, GA

$102K - $124K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitoring operations to meet company policies, quality specifications, USDA and OSHA standards. * Conducting plant inspections to eliminate hazardous conditions. * Managing all aspects of operations ...

Production Manager - Debone

Athens, GA

$102K - $124K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Monitoring operations to meet company policies, quality specifications, USDA and OSHA standards. * Conducting plant inspections to eliminate hazardous conditions. * Managing all aspects of operations ...

Usda Inspector information

See Athens, GA salary details

$23.7K

$53K

$95.6K

How much do usda inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for usda inspector in Athens, GA is $53,048.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,200.00 and $61,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a USDA inspector?

USDA Inspectors are professionals employed by the United States Department of Agriculture responsible for ensuring that food products, especially meat, poultry, and eggs, meet federal safety and quality standards. They conduct inspections at processing plants, slaughterhouses, and other facilities to verify compliance with regulations. Their duties include checking for contamination, proper labeling, and adherence to sanitation protocols. By enforcing these standards, USDA Inspectors help protect public health and maintain consumer confidence in the nation's food supply.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a USDA inspector?

To thrive as a USDA Inspector, you need a solid understanding of food safety regulations, inspection procedures, and often a degree in agriculture, food science, or a related field. Familiarity with inspection tools, laboratory testing methods, and USDA compliance systems is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and integrity help inspectors identify safety issues and work effectively with facility staff. These skills ensure public health and regulatory compliance by maintaining high standards of food quality and safety.

What challenges do USDA inspectors face in their daily work?

USDA Inspectors often encounter challenges such as managing a high volume of inspections, adapting to changing regulations, and maintaining objectivity under pressure from producers or facility staff. To address these, inspectors rely on thorough training, ongoing professional development, and clear communication with both team members and facility personnel. Support from supervisors and standardized protocols also help ensure that inspectors can uphold food safety and quality standards consistently, even when facing difficult situations.

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

AspectUsda InspectorFood Safety Inspector
CertificationsUSDA certifications, food safety trainingFood safety certifications, possibly USDA training
Work EnvironmentInspecting farms, processing plants, slaughterhousesInspecting food facilities, restaurants, processing plants
Employer & IndustryUSDA, federal government, agriculture & food industryLocal/state agencies, federal agencies, food industry

Both roles focus on food safety and require similar certifications. USDA Inspectors primarily work within the agricultural and processing sectors, ensuring compliance with federal standards. Food Safety Inspectors may work in various food-related environments, including restaurants and local facilities, often with overlapping certifications. The main difference lies in their specific work settings and regulatory focus.

How can I become a USDA inspector?

To become a USDA inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant work experience, and may be required to pass written exams and background checks. Additional qualifications include knowledge of food safety standards, inspection procedures, and sometimes specialized certifications depending on the inspection area. Training is provided by the USDA after hiring, and inspectors often work in environments such as processing plants, farms, or food facilities.

What are the requirements to be a USDA inspector?

To become a USDA inspector, candidates typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, relevant experience in food safety or inspection, and must pass written and practical exams. Certification from the USDA and knowledge of food safety standards, inspection procedures, and regulatory compliance are also required.

What cities near Athens, GA are hiring for Usda Inspector jobs?

Cities near Athens, GA with the most Usda Inspector job openings:

Infographic showing various Usda Inspector job openings in Athens, GA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 5% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,048 per year, or $25.5 per hour.

Production Technician III

Sysco

Buckhead, GA

$26.15 - $39.23/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 hours ago


Sysco rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 321 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

120th of 364 rated logistics


Job description

Company:

US1072 Buckhead Meat Company

Sales Territory:

None

Zip Code:

30337

Travel Percentage:

0

COMPENSATION INFORMATION:

$26.15 - $39.23

The pay range provided is not indicative of Sysco's actual pay range but is merely algorithmic and provided for generalized comparison. Factors that may be used to determine rate of pay include specific skills, work location, work experience and other individualized factors

JOB SUMMARY:

The Production Technician III role is essential for supporting the operations team and is responsible for planning and performing highly diversified duties to include installing, moving, repairing and preventive maintenance on production equipment throughout the facility. Perform 5S and Lean manufacturing activities including material handling improvements, production line configuration, and safety procedures.

This role must use and exemplify industry leading maintenance practices and methodologies to increase equipment safety, uptime, and performance.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Champions company and industry standard safety policies and procedures - OSHA, NEC, NFPA, USDA, FDA, etc. Recognize, escalate, and action unsafe work conditions and engages with co-workers to ensure conditions and behaviors comply with policies. Make suggestions to improve safe work practices and procedures as appropriate.

  • Develop and execute inspections and preventive/predictive maintenance tasks on production and process utility equipment to increase quality, safety, and overall equipment reliability.

  • Diagnose and repair production and process utility equipment deficiencies and failures; to include, but not limited to mechanical, electrical, pneumatic, and hydraulic equipment. May include facility repairs as needed.

  • Use continuous improvements tools and methods to improve equipment reliability, may include root cause analysis (RCA), failure mode analysis (FMA) and make recommendations to prevent recurrence. Coach and train team members on RCA and FMA.

  • Champion and lead production equipment rebuilds, line moves, installations, setups, and calibrations. Work with OEM's on emergency repairs as needed.

  • Read and interpret equipment work orders, manuals, assembly diagrams, electrical schematics, and P&ID's to perform required maintenance and service. Coach and train team members on reading and interpreting said technical documents.

  • Responsible for effectively managing assigned planned work, unplanned failures, and work orders in a high-paced, fluid work environment.

  • Responsible for accurately and concisely logging work orders in computerized maintenance management system (CMMS) to properly track maintenance and equipment performance metrics; to include labor, equipment uptime, preventive maintenance compliance, MTTR, MTBF, part usage, etc.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

Required

  • Five (5) plus years of maintenance experience in a manufacturing setting.

Experience using lockout tagout, job hazard analysis, hot work permits, confined space, etc.

Experience working in a food processing environment and familiar with USDA, FDA, and SQF policies and procedures

Preferred

  • 1 year experience in a leadership role

  • Experience with the use of condition diagnostic techniques including vibration analysis, oil analysis, ultrasonic testing, and thermographic testing.

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Certificates, Licenses, and Registrations:

  • Required - Must provide own tools (diagnostic equipment and major tools provided by Sysco) necessary to perform all maintenance repair and diagnostics.

  • Preferred - Formal training in equipment maintenance repair, installation, and troubleshooting of electrical equipment is highly desired.

Skills

  • Extensive knowledge of OSHA safety regulations

  • Extensive knowledge of environmental and food safety regulations

  • Moderate computer skills and knowledge

  • Extensive knowledge and skill in Preventive Maintenance Inspections and repair

  • Extensive knowledge and skill in diagnosis and repair of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems

  • Extensive knowledge and skill with a multi-meter, infrared thermometer, and megohmmeter.

  • Extensive knowledge of OSHA safety regulations

  • Extensive knowledge of environmental and food safety regulations

  • Moderate computer skills and knowledge

  • Extensive knowledge and skill in Preventive Maintenance Inspections and repair

  • Extensive knowledge and skill in diagnosis and repair of mechanical, electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic systems

  • Extensive knowledge and skill with a multi-meter, infrared thermometer, and megohmmeter.

Physical Demands:

  • The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job

  • Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions

  • The employee is occasionally required to sit and must frequently lift heavy items.

  • The employee is Repair work requires excellent hand and finger dexterity used for wrenches, hand tools and other shop equipment

  • Ability to operate various pieces of equipment

  • Ability to stand, sit, walk, bend, reach

  • Ability to push/pull

  • Ability to lift /carry

  • Ability to grasp tools

  • Ability to perform Repetitive motion: wrenches and hand tools

Working Conditions:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an associate may encounter while performing the essential functions of the job.

  • Food processing temperatures of <=38 degrees F.

  • While performing the duties of this job, the associate is occasionally exposed to wet, hot, extreme cold and/or humid conditions; and moving mechanical parts and may be required to work in confined spaces. The associate works non-traditional business hours including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and on-call. The associate may occasionally be required to travel to other Operating Companies or the corporate office as business needs dictate (i.e. training, business continuation, etc.). The associate is occasionally exposed to high, precarious places and confined spaces. The associate is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

BENEFITS INFORMATION:

For information on Sysco's Benefits, please visit https://SyscoBenefits.com

OVERVIEW:

Sysco is the global leader in foodservice distribution. With over 71,000 colleagues and a fleet of over 13,000 vehicles, Sysco operates approximately 333 distribution facilities worldwide and serves more than 700,000 customer locations.

We offer our colleagues the opportunity to grow personally and professionally, to contribute to the success of a dynamic organization, and to serve others in a manner that exceeds their expectations. We're looking for talented, hard-working individuals to join our team. Come grow with us and let us show you why Sysco is at the heart of food and service.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT:

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer, and consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, creed, religion, ancestry, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran status or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

This opportunityis available through Sysco Corporation, its subsidiaries and affiliates.


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