Job Title: Meat Inspection Program Manager

Division: Animal Health

Headquarters: Morgantown

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: $45,000 - $50,000
***INTERNAL POSTING ONLY***

Nature of Work:
This position is responsible for the oversight of meat and poultry processing inspection operations at state-inspected commercial establishments; monitoring and enforcement of laws and applicable regulatory requirements; and training new inspectors. The incumbent assists the Assistant Director in the implementation and maintenance of the “At Least Equal To” requirements for state-inspected commercial establishments as stipulated by the cooperative agreement with the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety Inspection Service.

Examples of Work:

• Reviews Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, and label approvals to make recommendations to the Assistant Director for consideration.

• Interprets and conveys technical information and meat processing inspection requirements to inspectors, licensed establishments and industry officials.

• Assists with establishing monitoring procedures, corrective actions and enforcing verification steps in the meat and poultry processing environment.

• Assists with training staff in identifying and assessing microbial, chemical and physical hazards, critical control points, establishing adequate critical control limits to protect public health.

• Assists with determining whether possible technological deviations may have a negative impact on health quality of finished products.

• Evaluates product formulation in the context of proposed labeling, and processing technologies to ensure finished product safety and makes recommendations to the Assistant Director for consideration.

• Prepares technical reports, develops detailed records covering program operations, documents laboratory findings and results, etc.

• Evaluates complex processing operations for compliance with sanitation, labeling and packaging requirements.

• Conducts research work primarily in an office environment dealing mostly with people rather than animals.

• Schedules samplings with producers and interprets the laboratory analysis results.

• Interprets and ensures implementation of applicable Federal directives and notices.

• Performs food safety assessments at commercial establishments.

• Other duties as assigned.

Working Conditions:
Driving, sitting, standing, walking, stooping, stretching, lifting ≤ 50 lbs., working in low light conditions, on slippery floors, using sharp instruments, and exposure to inclement weather. Extensive travel to inspected plants (up to 5 days per week) is required.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Extensive knowledge of the Local, State, and Federal regulations on the inspection of meat and poultry.

• Extensive knowledge of applicable processing technologies, techniques, and procedures utilized in the meat and poultry industries.

• Skilled in the use of a computer and the Public Health Information System.

• Extensive knowledge and experience in assessing and enforcing compliance with regulatory requirements in the meat and poultry processing environment.

• Ability to evaluate processing technologies and interpret laboratory analysis results to ensure food safety and public health protection.

• Ability to interpret laboratory findings and enforce corrective action plans.

• Extensive knowledge of State and Federal regulations for processing technologies and labeling to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Ability to work in low light conditions making visual acuity imperative.

• Ability to perform tasks that require skillful manual dexterity.

• Ability to exhibit calmness and professionalism when dealing with difficult people.

• Skilled in written and oral communications.

Qualifications:

Education: Bachelor’s degree with a major in animal science, microbiology, food technology, epidemiology, public health or a closely-related field preferred.

Experience: At least 10 years’ progressively complex experience as a meat and poultry processing facility inspector.

Additional Requirements:

• Valid Driver’s License.

• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment drug testing.

• Satisfactory completion of pre-employment law enforcement background investigation, including DMV records.

• Must maintain a positive image of the Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture, and the State of West Virginia.
   

  This description is subject to review and revision at the discretion of the Commissioner and designees.