Agricultural inspectors ensure that farming, logging, and fishing operations comply with laws and quality standards. They enforce the government regulations that keep consumers safe and healthy, and train workers so they can better follow regulations. Agricultural inspectors monitor many different processes. For example, in meat production, inspectors may review a cattle farm’s waste disposal procedures, make sure that cows are slaughtered hygienically, verify that the meat is processed and packaged appropriately, and ensure that the products are labeled and sealed correctly before being shipped off to market. Inspectors work in production facilities, labs and offices, out in the field at logging operations and fish farms, and may even testify about a case in court. The majority of agricultural inspectors work 40 hours or more per week. Agricultural inspectors typically need a bachelor’s degree.
What they do:
Inspect agricultural commodities, processing equipment, and facilities, and fish and logging operations, to ensure compliance with regulations and laws governing health, quality, and safety.
On the job, you would:
Inspect food products and processing procedures to determine whether products are safe to eat.
Interpret and enforce government acts and regulations and explain required standards to agricultural workers.
Set standards for the production of meat or poultry products or for food ingredients, additives, or compounds used to prepare or package products.
Business
customer service
management
Safety and Government
law and government
public safety and security
Math and Science
arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics
Arts and Humanities
English language
Basic Skills
keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions
People and Technology Systems
thinking about the pros and cons of different options and picking the best one
figuring out how a system should work and how changes in the future will affect it
Problem Solving
noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it
Verbal
listen and understand what people say
communicate by speaking
Ideas and Logic
notice when problems happen
make general rules or come up with answers from lots of detailed information
Visual Understanding
see hidden patterns
quickly compare groups of letters, numbers, pictures, or other things
People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.
They do well at jobs that need:
Dependability
Integrity
Attention to Detail
Cooperation
Self Control
Concern for Others
You might use software like this on the job:
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Presentation software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Electronic mail software
Microsoft Outlook
high school diploma/GED or some college usually needed
Get started on your career:
New job opportunities are less likely in the future.
In the Air Force:
Pest Management; Pest Management Apprentice; Pest Management Craftsman; Pest Management Helper; Pest Management Journeyman
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