Agricultural and Fish Products Inspectors

About This Job

 * Inspect agricultural and fish products for conformity to prescribed production, storage and transportation standards
 * Work for government departments and agencies and for private sector food processing companies
 * Supervisors of agricultural and fish products inspectors are also included in this group

Annual Median Salary
$61,982

Hourly Rate

 * High: $42.48/hr
 * Median: $29.72/hr
 * Low: $18.92/hr

Fish and Fish Products Inspectors

 * inspect fish, fish products, fish handling and processing methods, and prepare reports and ensure that regulations are followed

Fruit and Vegetables Inspectors

 * examine fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables at inspection centers and prepare reports on crop production and market conditions

Grain Inspectors

 * inspect and grade all classes of grain at terminal elevators, monitor the fumigation of infested grain, and examine storage, handling and transportation equipment to ensure that sanitary procedures are followed

Meat Inspectors

 * monitor the operations and sanitary conditions of slaughtering and meat processing plants, and inspect carcasses to ensure they are fit for consumption

Plant protection inspectors

 * approve seed crops and oversee the quarantine, treatment or destruction of plants and plant products, and the fumigation of plants and plant product imports and exports

Work Environment
Work in this occupation is typically performed in a structured environment, such as an office, or an outdoor work environment where the worker is exposed to various weather conditions. Also, workers may be exposed to noxious, intense or prolonged odors, and infectious bacteria and viruses as a result of contact with infectious materials or micro-organisms that may cause illness.

Education, training & qualifications

 * Completion of secondary school is required.
 * Government inspectors usually require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in agriculture, biology, chemistry, food processing technology or a related discipline.
 * Inspectors (other than government) may require a bachelor's degree or college diploma in a related discipline.
 * Several years of experience in agricultural production or fish processing are usually required.
 * Completion of in-house training courses is required.

Skills

 * Spatial Perception
 * Innovative
 * Numerical Ability
 * Detail-Oriented