Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 52141 
Closing Date: 12/29/2025
​Agency:  Department of Agriculture
Class Title: MEAT & POULTRY INSP TRAINEE - 26075 
Skill Option:  None 
Bilingual Option:  None
Salary: $4225 - $5510 anticipated starting salary monthly
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time 
County: Bureau; LaSalle; Lee; Putnam
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:  RC029 Paraprofessional Investigatory & Law Enforcement Employees, Meat and Poultry Inspectors, and Meat and Poultry Inspector Trainees, IFPE. The RC-033 bargaining unit merged into RC-029 bargaining unit effective May 15, 2014.
Merit Comp Code:  

This position serves in a regional capacity. Persons serving in this role are required to assume residency in one of the Counties identified under the Conditions of Employment section which includes Bureau, Lee, LaSalle and Putnam counties, and will be required to work from their home location as a base of daily operational headquarters to service their designated worksites.

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Essential Functions

1. Receives formal training for a period of 6 – 12 months in the objectives, methods and techniques of meat and poultry inspection.

2. Under close supervision, performs antemortem inspection of live animals and/or poultry prior to slaughter for the presence of conditions indicative of abnormalities or diseases.

3. Successfully completes the Employee Development Guide for basic meat inspection and State of Illinois Department of Agriculture’s slaughter and processing training courses to become familiar with provisions of food inspection laws, regulations, manuals and inspection procedures.

4. Travels to, attends, and participates in workshops, meetings, institutes, and other activities which will provide meaningful learning experiences for use in meat and poultry inspection.

5. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of high school (preferably with courses in algebra, biology, or chemistry)

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of education beyond high school in the following order: Associate degree, Bachelor’s degree, Advanced degree.
• Prefers completion of education beyond high school with a bachelor’s or advanced degree in the fields of science or agriculture.
• Prefers experience in the butchering, slaughtering, and/or processing of animals for food.
• Prefers experience observing the postmortem exam of animals.
• Prefers working knowledge of the principles of Hazard Analysis – Critical Control Point Plans (HACCP).
• Prefers experience filling out HACCP records. 
• Prefers working knowledge of Sanitation and Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOP).
• Prefers elementary knowledge of disease or abnormal conditions of animals, poultry, carcasses, or meat and poultry products.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of how to identify adulterated product.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid Driver’s License and ability to travel between job assignments.
2. Requires ability to lift materials weighing up to 20 pounds.
3. Requires ability to successfully pass background check.
4. Requires ability to tolerate exposure to unpleasant odors in slaughterhouses and in meat preparation areas, to extreme cold in meat lockers and heat in processing areas.
5. Requires ability to use safety practices around dangerous meat cutting and processing machinery.
6. Must reside in Bureau, Lee, LaSalle and Putnam. 
7. Requires ability to successfully pass a pre-employment physical.
8. Requires the ability to work overtime on occasion, which may include weekends or holidays.

Work Hours: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm daily work hours may vary
Headquarter Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Jane Doe
Email: jane.doe@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-888-888
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance

The Illinois Department of Agriculture administers an annual budget of approximately $200 million and employs more than 400 people statewide, with several hundred more seasonal employees hired during the summer to support the Illinois State Fair and Du Quoin State Fair. Separate bureaus administer programs and services directed at conserving the State's land and water resources; protecting the health and welfare of livestock and companion animals; overseeing state and county fairs; regulating seed, feed, and fertilizer products; ensuring the financial stability of grain dealers and warehouses; promoting Illinois food and agricultural products; and operating the State's horse racing programs.

AGR values employees with different backgrounds, life experiences, and talents.

AGR offers a robust benefit package including; 

• Monday-Friday work schedule
• Flexible work schedules in many program areas
• Health, life, vision, and dental insurance
• 12 Weeks paid maternity/paternity leave
• Pension Plan
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Deferred Compensation, and other pre-tax benefit programs
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid sick days annually
• Ten to twenty-five (10-25) paid vacation days based on years of service
• Employees earn three (3) paid personal days pro-rated based on start date
• Thirteen - Fourteen (13-14) paid state holidays annually

If this opportunity appeals to you, please apply today!

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the  Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the  career portal for State employees and review the  Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on  Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com

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