Job Description

Job Requisition ID: 52163
Closing Date: 12/29/2025
​Agency: Department of Agriculture
Class Title: MEAT & POULTRY INSPECTOR - 26070
Skill Option: None
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: $5369 - $7368 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 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. Performs processing inspections in state and/or federal plants on a variety of fresh, smoked, cured or cooked meat and poultry products.

2. Conducts antemortem and postmortem inspections in state and/or federal plants of animals and/or poultry.

3. Inspects processing procedures in plants daily, for proper product formulations and labeling on product.

4. Submits product samples for laboratory analysis to determine compliance with laws and regulations.

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

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to the completion of high school (preferably with courses in algebra, biology, or chemistry).
2. Requires the successful completion of an agency approved meat and poultry inspection training program.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers working knowledge of the methods and techniques of antemortem and postmortem inspections involving meat producing animals and poultry.
2. Prefers working knowledge of applicable laws, rules and regulations governing the inspection and processing of meat and poultry products.
3. Prefers working knowledge of the use of additives and preservatives used in processing meat and poultry products.
4. Prefers experience conducting antemortem and postmortem inspections of animals, poultry, carcasses and parts to determine the presence or absence of disease or abnormal conditions.
5. Prefers experience removing, dissecting and analyzing glands, organs and parts of animals for signs of obvious disease.
6. Prefers elementary knowledge of computer hardware and software.
7. Prefers experience operating a computer and the software and database applications utilized by the agency.
8. Prefers experience analyzing and determining the compliance of processing procedures and formulations to law and regulations.

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, bend and stoop in the inspection of animals.
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. Requires the ability to work overtime on occasion, which may include weekends or holidays.
7. Requires the ability to pass a pre-employment physical.
8. Work Assignments: Country Village Meats, Inc., Earlville Cold Storage Locker Co., G&G Poultry, Inc., Sheffield Locker, Wyanet Locker, Inc., Halal Transaction.
9. Requires residency in Bureau, Lee, Putnam or LaSalle Co.

Work Hours: 7:00 am - 3:30 pm M-F (hours may vary)
Headquarter Location: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield, Illinois, 62702
Work County: Sangamon
Agency Contact: Bureau of Human Resources
Email: AGR.HumanResources@illinois.gov
Phone #: 217-785-5099
Posting Group: Legal, Audit & Compliance

The Department of Agriculture is seeking to hire a Meat and Poultry Inspector in the Bureau County area. This position does have a residency requirement of Bureau, Lee, LaSalle, or Putnam county. Meat and Poultry Inspectors are essential employees on the front lines of protecting our food production system. The successful candidate will monitor and inspect animals and animal products from slaughter to processing to packaging and labeling. We invite qualified applicants to apply for this position to help the Department of Agriculture ensure the production of safe and wholesome meat and poultry products.

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