Meat Inspector

Role Responsibilities

Want to make a difference in Albertans’ lives? Do you want to help contribute to the safety of meat that Albertans eat?

If you answered yes to these questions then we want you!

We are currently looking to hire a temporary full time Meat Inspector for the Airdrie region.

As a Meat Inspector, you will be responsible for providing slaughter inspection services on kill floors at provincial abattoirs.

Duties while performing kill floor inspection services will include:

• Pre-operation inspection. 
• Ante and post-mortem examination of animals.
• Completion of time reporting.
• Relevant inspection documentation.

This position is a regulatory role and involves the onsite enforcement of provincial statutes administered by the Meat & Dairy Inspection Section (MDIS). The MDIS is responsible for providing regulatory inspection service to approximately 120 licensed red meat and poultry abattoirs across Alberta.

Join the Meat Inspector Team and help play a role in maintaining Alberta's reputation for excellence in food safety! 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Below is a list of APS competencies critical for success in this role: 

• Agility refers to the ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in an ever-changing work environment.
• Drive for Results will ensure that you remain focused on assuring legislation is met day to day and that documentation is completed and submitted in a manner that meets MDIS's operational requirements.
• Build Collaborative Environments involves strong verbal communication, negotiation and conflict management skills required for working with individual abattoir operators and workers to ensure abattoir operational needs are met while meeting legislative requirements.
• Creative Problem Solving is required as you apply sound knowledge of risk assessment and compliance principles to take an appropriate situation specific approach to problems.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard:

• Two (2) year technical diploma in a related field, preferably in Animal Science, Animal Health/Vet Technology, or Food Safety/Food Science, plus 
• Two (2) years of directly related meat inspection work experience (i.e. working as a meat inspector on kill floors). 

Equivalencies:

Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Preference will be given to those with:

• Experience as a Meat Inspector within the Canadian federal or provincial meat inspection system (CIFA or other Meat Inspection program).

**Meat inspection experience may not be substituted with other education or experience.

Assets:  

• Knowledge of animal diseases and pathology.
• Solid understanding of requirements for humane livestock handling and stunning.
• Food safety principles for slaughter and meat processing.
• Familiarity with and ability to interpret regulatory standards (e.g. Meat Inspection Act (AB), Meat Inspection Regulation (AB), and Meat Facility Standards).
• Robust competencies in communication and conflict resolution (e.g. Verbal Judo). 
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Agridam, 1GX or similar ERP systems, and Safety aware. 

The successful candidate must successfully complete all in-house training.

The ability to work both independently and as part of a team while demonstrating the Alberta Public Service values of respect, integrity, accountability, and excellence are essential for success in this position.

*** Candidates that do not meet Technologies 4 classification requirements may be considered at a lower classification.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

• Term of Employment: Temporary full time- position (6 months upon hire with possibility of further 6 month extension(s)).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 
• Location: Airdrie Region.

 
Additional Information:

• Extended working hours (overtime) and/or travel will be required to complete assigned field work.
• Overtime rate will be applicable for all overtime.
• Ability to work under varying site conditions including inclement weather conditions and wet surface areas/environments (e.g. barns, kill floors).
• PPE will be provided.
• In house training will be provided.
• Candidate must reside within the geographical boundaries of the assigned regional work area (Airdrie) and within a reasonable distance (within ~60 km) of the Airdrie office (Airdrie Agricultural Centre, 97 East Lake Ramp, Airdrie, AB).
• Any relocation costs are the sole responsibility of the successful candidate. 
• Candidate may be required to travel to other geographical regions for training and/or cover off for other regions.
• Fleet vehicle will be provided.
• Final candidates will be required to provide verification of eligibility to drive a fleet vehicle (a valid Class 5 driver’s licence, a minimum of three years as a Class 5 driver, a current driver’s abstract showing no more than six demerit points, and no criminal code convictions).
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out of provide applicants may obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Notes continued

Position Physical Requirements:

• Requires routine work in an active movement capacity at various abattoir site locations, including but not limited to: Frequent driving alone to job sites, occasional prolonged (2 to 3 hours one way) driving to job sites and extended working hours (occasional work shifts up to 12 hours) to complete assigned field work. 
• Occasional lifting up to 50 lbs.
• Frequent lifting up to 20 lbs.
• Frequent standing. 
• Occasional reaching above shoulder height.
• Occasional climbing of stairs, ladders or lifts.
• Repetitive use of hand tools (knives, steels, etc.).
• Ability to work under varying site conditions, including driving in inclement weather and working within wet surface areas/environments (e.g. stationed on kill floors).

In your resume:
•    Include date ranges (months and year) associated with all education and work experience. 
•    Indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time.
      Example: Legal Assistant: January 2016-June 2019 (Part time – 3 eight hour shifts/week).

What We Offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.