Meat Poultry Inspector

To be considered for Department of Livestock positions, applicants must upload any required application materials. 

This position is posted as open until filled; however, a first review of applications will take place on September 25, 2026

Materials Required of Applicants\:   (Attachments not requested will not be reviewed by the selection panel.)

• Cover Letter- In your cover letter please describe your experience with food safety and how you might use that experience to carry out the duties of this position. Please include specific details. Limit your cover letter to one page. Attachments not requested will not be reviewed by the selection panel.
• Resume
• References\:  References will be requested of any finalist applicants prior to an offer of employment is made, however are not required as part of the application process at this time. 

Reasons to work for the Montana Department of Livestock\: Our work matters !We are proud of the work we do, to find out more about the Department of Livestock visit our website HERE.

Benefits of working for the Department of Livestock\: The ability to work and play in the beautiful state of Montana is one of the benefits you will love about this opportunity!  Other fantastic benefits include\:

• Health Coverage
• Retirement plans
• Paid vacation, sick leave and Holidays
• Flexible schedules
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness- Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive loan forgiveness- click HERE to learn more!

*Notice Regarding Position Location\:  The individual in this position must live within a 30 Mile radius of Hamilton, Missoula or Darby, MT.  

About this Opportunity!

The meat and poultry inspector is the first line of defense for meat and poultry food safety. The inspector performs duties to verify that a food safety system within officially inspected slaughter and/or processing establishments is operating in compliance with regulations and in a way that will result in safe food. The Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau's function is to ensure that meat & poultry products processed in Montana meet state and federal requirements governing the wholesomeness and purity of meat and poultry products. This work is done in cooperation with other state and federal agencies. Meat and poultry Inspectors employed by the Department of Livestock inspect the slaughter and processing of food animals in privately-owned meat or poultry slaughter and processing plants. Site inspections involve the inspection of live animals, carcasses, facilities, slaughter and processing operations, and finished products.  The inspector is also responsible for sampling products for laboratory testing, verifying plants’ records, and inspecting labels and packaging of products. There is a strong emphasis on interpreting both federal and state regulations and taking appropriate regulatory action. Inspectors record all findings and tasks in a federal database and must document daily activities in weekly reports.

The inspector conducts\:

•  Regulatory oversight activities inside plants in matters relating to Sanitation Performance Standards (SPS), Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP), pathogen reduction verification procedures, food security verification procedures, and other consumer protections (e.g., economic adulteration and misbranding).
• The Inspector performs work within the Agency’s automated Public Health Information system (PHIS) to include updating establishment profiles, selecting appropriate inspection tasks, entering information and reacting to data from PHIS.
• The incumbent serves as slaughter and/or processing inspector in a red meat and/or poultry plant or department requiring the exercise of judgment in the full range of slaughter or processing inspection functions and carries out all aspects of slaughter or processing inspection as assigned. The inspector is expected to perform in-plant inspection in a wide range of different types of slaughter and processing plants.

This work requires\:

Knowledge of state and federal regulations regarding the handling and labeling of meat and poultry, the characteristics and normal behavior of livestock, livestock diseases and related symptoms, skill in observation and sampling methods and techniques; state and federal facility and sanitation requirements, proper use of chemicals, insect and rodent control, personal hygiene, and water supply requirements, regulations regarding humane slaughter, additive formulas, authorized proportions of regulated substances, and the ability to discern injections sites and disease symptoms, operate a motor vehicle, and travel to remote locations. The inspector is required to know how to competently use a computer. The position also requires the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships while enforcing regulations, to perform arithmetic calculations, to follow instructions, to read and interpret laws and regulations, to prepare reports, to discern and identify disease characteristics and the use of drugs, hormones, etc., and the ability to discern the breeds and sex of livestock.

Working Conditions\:  The position involves extensive travel throughout the assigned region in excess of 1,000 miles per month, often to remote locations during inclement weather. Meat inspectors are required to use repetitive motion, use of fingers, use of both hands, reaching above shoulders, walking, standing, climbing stairs and ladders, the ability to walk, bend stoop, etc. in order to inspect facilities, ability to detect odors, and have clear speech and good vision. The position also involves exposure to potential hazardous pathogens when conducting inspections of carcasses, as well as threat of injury while inspecting unpredictable live animals. The work also involves continued exposure to unpleasant sights, sounds and odors while conducting inspection of slaughter and processing operations.  Work is performed both indoors and outdoors. Hazards include; knives, hooks, steam lines, sterilizers, slick floors, may be exposed to contagious disease and foul odors. 

Minimum Qualifications\: 

The necessary knowledge, skills and abilities are typically acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to

• Completion of high school or equivalent. 
•  One year experience in the food safety or meat industries.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT\:   

Due to industry demands, successful applicants must live within 30 miles of Hamilton, Missoula or Darby, MT. Other locations will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

*Effective March 30, 2026, this agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility.  After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification.   For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https\://www.e-verify.gov/. 

Completion of workshops and seminars pertaining to the application of USDA FSIS and FDA inspection methods and regulations, and labeling criteria will be provided by the bureau trainer. Some of this training will include, Basic Livestock and Poultry Slaughter training, Processing Class, HACCP training, Food Safety Regulation Essentials, and other classroom training sessions. 

The position requires the ability to have and maintain a valid Montana Driver's license and the ability to safely operate a motor vehicle with an acceptable driving record.

 Incumbent must attend and successfully pass federal workshops and seminars pertaining to application of USDA FSIS and Food & Drug Administration labeling criteria, and FSIS Training within first 6 months of hire. Successful candidate will be required to attend a 30-day FSIS course titled Inspection Methods within one year of securing employment.

Completion of workshops and seminars pertaining to the application of USDA FSIS and FDA inspection methods and regulations, and labeling criteria will be provided by the bureau trainer. Some of this training will include, Basic Livestock and Poultry Slaughter training, Processing Class, HACCP training, Food Safety Regulation Essentials, and other classroom training sessions. 

Employees performing work for FSIS who have access to government systems, i.e., FSIS systems and email accounts, must be credentialed through the USDA. Therefore, state employees who access systems related to this position, must be credentialed through specific processes, which includes passing a fingerprint background check.  Montana Meat & Poultry Inspection Bureau employees must meet requirements to access the Public Health Information System which is a basic duty of the position.

Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.