FDA+Inspector




 * __Job Information__**

The primary duties of an Inspector are: //(1) To inspect the stock of foods, drugs, liquors, condiments and confectionery in the warehouses of manufacturers, jobbers and dealers (generally wholesale, but occasionally retail) with the object of locating such products as have been or are about to be transported in interstate commerce and are adulterated or misbranded within the meaning of the Food and Drugs Act of 1906.// //(2) To purchase and collect samples of above products, packing them properly and forwarding them to a United States Food Laboratory for analysis.// //(3) To collect original, or copies of, records, such as freight bills, bills of lading, invoices and other written or oral evidence tending to establish the interstate shipment of products covered by such records.// //(4) To confer with United States District Attorneys, United States Marshals and other Government officials relative to the seizure, destruction or sale of adulterated, misbranded, poisonous or rotten products, or the prosecution of any violator of the law.// //(5) To accompany the United States Marshal in seizure proceedings, especially with a view to assisting him in the proper identification of the commodity.// //(6) To act as a witness for the government at trials involving any violation of the national food law.// //(7) To interview dealers, manufacturers, experts, etc., in behalf of the government and solicit their views on any particular subject for the benefit of the Department.// //(8) To do detective work, such as surveilling factories of questionable repute, following up wagons or other conveyances suspected of carrying adulterated or misbranded foods its interstate commerce.// //(9) To investigate and report on the condition of industries in a particular locality, such as the maple sugar industry in New York or Vermont, the citrus fruit industry in Italy, etc.//


 * __Personality Characters__**

A successful Inspector should possess, besides the necessary qualifications for eligibility, such assets as judgment, initiative, tact and energy. He should be diplomatic, keenly observant, a good "mixer," a patient and silent listener and a practical student of human nature and business affairs.


 * __Working Conditions__**

Agricultural inspectors work long and irregular hours, spending much of their time in food- or meat-processing plants. Others may travel frequently to farms or ports, inspecting cargo on boats or sitting on docks.

Because the job involves finding problems or violations, inspectors may have to deal with antagonistic individuals and uncomfortable situations. The job can be demanding and very stressful; in essence, an inspector's work can have important financial and public health consequences.


 * __Places of Employment__**

FDA - Food and Drug Administration USDA - United States Department of Agriculture FSIS - Food Safety and Inspection Service


 * __Job Outlook__**

Agricultural inspectors make sure that businesses comply with federal and state laws and regulations that govern the health, quality, and safety of meat, poultry, egg products, fruit, and vegetables. They also inspect food- and meat-processing plants to ensure that the facilities meet quality standards. They strive to protect public health and well-being by protecting the public from foodborne illness. Most agricultural inspectors work for federal and state governments, and are very knowledgeable about regulations and standards in the area in which they work.

Inspects establishment where  foods , drugs, cosmetics, and similar consumer items are manufactured, handled, stored, or sold to enforce legal standards of sanitation, purity, and grading: Visits specified establishments to investigate sanitary conditions and health and hygiene habits of persons handling consumer products. Collects samples of products for bacteriological and chemical laboratory analysis. Informs individuals concerned of specific regulations affecting establishments. Destroys subgrades, or prohibits sale of impure, toxic, damaged, or misbranded items. Questions  employees , vendors, consumers, and other principals to obtain evidence for prosecuting violators. Ascertains that required licenses and permits have been obtained and are displayed. Prepares reports on each establishment visited, including findings and recommendations for action. May negotiate with marketers and processors to effect changes in facilities and practices, where undesirable conditions are discovered that are not specifically prohibited by law. May grade products according to specified standards. May test products, using variety of specialized test equipment, such as ultraviolet lights and filter guns. May investigate compliance with or violation of public sanitation laws and regulations and be designated Sanitary Inspector (government ser.).


 * __Salary Information__**

The regular hours for work are from 9 A. M, to 4:30 P. M. on week-days and from 9 A. M. to 1 P. M. on Saturdays, except in Washington, where the time is prolonged to 4 P. M. on Saturdays. While these are the actual hours of service ordinarily, the inspector is under a technical obligation to work at any time that the exigencies of unforeseen or special circumstances may demand.

Median hourly earnings of inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers were $14.14 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $10.84 and $18.79 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $8.65 an hour, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $24.85 an hour.


 * __Education and Training__**

Qualifications for Eligibility.--Applicants possessing any //one// of the following qualifications will be eligible to take the examination and for appointment: //(a) Practical experience in an establishment manufacturing or dealing in foods, drugs, liquors or confectionery.// //(b) Traveling experience as a representative of a food, drug, liquor or a confectionery concern.// //(c) Completion of a course in the adulteration of foods and drugs.// //(d) Completion of a course in chemistry.// //(e) Completion of a course in medicine or pharmacy.// //(f) Possession of the degree of M.D. or Ph.G.//


 * __Bibliography__**

"Food Inspector & Consumer Safety Inspector Positions." __Home__. 29 Apr. 2009 [].

"How to Become a United States Food and Drug Inspector." __U S Food and Drug Administration Home Page__. 31 Mar. 2009 [].

"United States Department of Agriculture - Food and Nutrition." __United States Department of Agriculture - Home__. 29 Apr. 2009 [].

"Agricultural Inspector Job Description, Career as a Agricultural Inspector, Salary, Employment - Definition and Nature of the Work, Education and Training Requirements, Getting the Job." __Job Descriptions and Careers, Career and Job Opportunities, Career Search, and Career Choices and Profiles__. 29 Apr. 2009 [].

"FOOD AND DRUG INSPECTOR - Job Description." __Career Test | Career Counseling & Coaching__. 29 Apr. 2009 [].