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 permanent full time meat inspector for the Lethbridge inspection 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 Meat & Dairy Inspection Section (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!

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

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

Required: 

• Two (2) year technical diploma in a related field, preferably in Animal Science, Animal Health Technology, or Food Safety/Food Science. 
• Two (2) years of directly related meat inspection work experience (i.e. working as a meat inspector on kill floors). 
• Experience as a meat inspector within the Canadian federal or provincial meat inspection system (CIFA or other Meat Inspection program). 
• The successful candidate must successfully complete all in-house training. 

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

Equivalencies:  Equivalencies maybe considered - Directly related experience can be substituted for education on a 1:1 basis, with 1year of experience equaling 1year of education.

Assets:  

• Knowledge of animal diseases and pathology.
• Solid understanding of requirements for humane livestock handling and stunning.
• Strong understanding of 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).
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of emerging food safety matters, humane handling and regulatory requirements for meat slaughter and processing.
• Knowledge of organoleptic inspection techniques including knowledge of anatomy, pathology and conditions in order to make appropriate evaluations relating to fitness of meat for human consumption. 
• Knowledge and understanding of regulatory requirements and Acts and Regulations governing the meat industry and how to apply them.
• Experience using computer technology and applications (e.g. Outlook, Word, Excel).
• Robust competencies in communication and conflict resolution (e.g. Verbal Judo). 
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365, Agridam, 1GX or similar ERP systems, and Safety aware. 
• Valid Alberta Class 5 Driver's License and ability to drive using a vehicle within the Province of Alberta.
• 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 for Technologies 3 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

Terms of Employment Notes:

• Permanent full time position. 
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week. 
• Work schedule runs Monday to Friday.
• 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.
• Any relocation costs are the responsibility of the successful candidate.
• Candidate must reside within the geographical boundaries of the assigned regional work area (Lethbridge) and within a reasonable distance (within ~60 km) of the Lethbridge office. 
• Candidate may be required to travel to other geographical regions for training and/or cover off for other regions.

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

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. 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.