Consumer Safety Officer (Enforcement Investigations and Analysis Officer-EIAO)

Summary The EIAO conducts onsite food safety and other consumer protection verification activities of commercial establishments operating under a grant of Federal inspection. The EIAO also conducts investigations and analysis regarding administrative or civil enforcement matters including collecting necessary information pertaining to recall activities, consumer complaints, or other public health concerns. All Consumer Safety Officers (EIAO) may be detailed to conduct Food Safety Assessments. Responsibilities Conduct on site consumer protection assessments to verify the design and proper functioning of a plant's food safety and process control systems. Assess the scientific adequacy of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), microbiological verification sampling protocols, or other process control measures. Perform investigative work related to food processing and/or slaughter systems to obtain information, gather evidence, or verify facts in support of administrative or civil enforcement matters. Make recommendations regarding the type of enforcement action that is necessary, and assist in the preparation of enforcement related documentation such as notices of intended enforcement, suspension letters, deferral letters, and letters of warning. Collect necessary information pertaining to product recall activities, consumer complaints, or other public health concerns. Determine the relevance of data and documentation in-plant records, laboratory test data, and observed activities for compliance with provisions of laws and Agency regulations. Assist inspection personnel, as needed, in the consistent nationwide implementation of significant new inspection procedures designed to verify that official establishments meet regulatory requirements for food safety and other consumer protection. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Time in grade: Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-09 grade level for consideration for the GS-11 grade level.) Specialized 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. For the GS-11 Level: Applicants must have at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience at the GS-9 (or equivalent) grade level that includes: Assessing the design and effectiveness of food safety control systems (e.g. utilizing data, reviewing documents, analyzing lab test results, etc.) Completing form and/or documents to report suspected violations of meat, poultry, or egg product inspection regulations. Making recommendations for enforcement action. Collaborating with and advising a variety of individuals to answer questions or perform informational briefings regarding food safety. Maintaining knowledge of regulations and policies for meat, poultry, and egg product inspection. Collecting, submitting and taking appropriate action in response to sample results. For the GS-12 Level: In addition to the specialized experience described above, applicants must have at least 52 weeks of qualifying experience at the GS-11 (or equivalent) grade level that includes: Preparing assessment reports explaining a plant's food safety system and drawing conclusions on the effectiveness of the programs. Making determinations on whether corrective action plans adequately address noncompliance issues. Collecting evidence and testimony to support administrative or civil enforcement matters. Making determinations whether food safety controls adequately address the relevant food safety concerns. 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Education This position has an individual occupational requirement that must be met in order to qualify. The education must have been obtained at a college, university, or an accrediting body recognized by the Secretary, U.S. Department of Education (external link). All relevant transcripts must be provided, see below under 'Required Documents' section. Consumer Safety Officer Series 0696: 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. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click Consumer Safety Officer 0696 Education can be used in lieu of specialized experience as defined below to qualify for the GS-11 level: 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR A combination of education and specialized experience - the minimum education requirement of courses consisting of at least 30 semester hours in the fields of study described above, plus appropriate experience and additional education. Additional Information This position may be filled as a multi-grade career ladder. If position is filled at a developmental grade level, assignments will be of a more limited scope, performed with less independence, and may reflect limited complexity/personal contacts. 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. If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report. If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Please note the following: After completing the virtual 2 week training, Consumer Safety Officers (CSO), are provided On-the-job-training (OJT). OJT consists of shadowing a more seasoned CSO during a Food Safety Assessment (FSA) in order to receive experience on the FSA process. The supervisor determines if the CSO is ready to conduct a FSA on their own or if additional OJT is needed. In addition, if feasible, the new CSO will be assigned as the secondary CSO on other FSAs so that the learning process can be extended. The supervisor provides guidance, mentoring, and information to the new CSO to assist in the transition. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you may be required to serve a 1-year probationary period during which we will evaluate your fitness and whether your continued employment advances the public interest. In determining if your employment advances the public interest, we may consider: your performance and conduct; the needs and interests of the agency; whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government; and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.