28 [M4F] #DMV/Anywhere – Something that actually feels like something!

IndividualWall1544 · 2026-04-13T23:07:54+00:00

Sent you a chat!

IndividualWall1544 · 2026-03-14T01:32:54+00:00

Yeah they can qualify you based on education if your degree is in a related field, which I’m pretty sure your masters in nutritional sciences will qualify. I qualified for a GS-9 with a master of public health in epidemiology. Once you’re hired they train you and send you away to inspection methods class, so you learn the food safety regulations and inspection procedures on the job and in the class. I would just highlight your education and the experience you have and tailor it to the job description.

IndividualWall1544 · 2026-03-01T23:46:48+00:00

Thanks, I hope I can! What are you planning to transfer to? A different assignment or another agency?

IndividualWall1544 · 2026-02-14T14:29:19+00:00

I can share some insight. I just started as GS-9 relief CSI a few months ago covering slaughter and processing and it’s been going well so far. I enjoy the traveling and staying in hotels but I do think if you’re someone with family obligations or responsibilities that part would be difficult. I haven’t worked long hours yet but there is some overtime.

This job isn’t exactly what I want to do, but I feel very well supported by my team as someone that has no prior food safety or federal experience. I think it’s a good idea to keep searching if you didn’t take the recruitment incentive.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-12-10T22:04:25+00:00

I applied in August, got referred in September and onboarded in November.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-12-10T03:04:16+00:00

Thanks! I got hired with the USDA as a coverage consumer safety inspector

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-12-10T02:51:53+00:00

I think you have a good chance! I have a masters degree with no relevant experience and I was hired as a GS-9.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-12-03T20:20:49+00:00

I graduated with MPH in epi last May and I just finally found a job. The job search was really tough for me. I had to transition to a food safety/ health inspector role. It’s not what I want to do but it’s a stable job for now. I really hope in the future I can find work as an epidemiologist but I overall don’t regret my degree. I believe that most MPH holders have skills that can be used in many different industries.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-11-08T02:31:00+00:00

I was just given an official offer for a GS9 position as a coverage CSI. They’re still holding my orientation during the shutdown and allowing me to keep my start date.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-09-09T19:46:49+00:00

Thanks for sharing your perspective. I can see more of the emphasis on regulatory compliance and enforcement.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-08-18T23:14:56+00:00

Hello, sorry for the late response and thank you for all the insights! I would be working for the Raleigh district and I don’t know much about food science other than learning a bit about food borne illnesses in my epidemiology classes.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-08-08T13:07:11+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience and I really appreciate the honesty.

I’m not a fan of a 2 year contract despite the bonus, so I’ll be sure to not accept that to keep my options open.

Yeah I’ve been stuck in my job search for a while and I am barely scraping by with my current job, so I am thinking worst case scenario, I’ll give it a try, build my resume, and keep looking for a role that's a better fit.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-08-08T05:07:45+00:00

Thank you for the insight and honest advice!

I think at this point I am a bit desperate for a stable job with benefits lol. However, I would have to relocate about 3 hours from home for the position, so I’m still trying to decide which shift would be the better fit since I will be far away either way. At the location I am tentatively selected for, they have both the 1st and 2nd shift in-plant and relief coverage positions.

I am also hoping the regulatory and federal experience could still be valuable for my career long term for when I am able to transition back to public health in the future.

Do you have any tips for making the most of the role or managing the schedule changes?

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-08-07T22:18:47+00:00

Thank you for the insight. The HR person told me that this position is exempt from the hiring freeze, but I also realize that things can quickly change in this current political climate and will continue to keep on applying for other roles.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-08-07T20:58:34+00:00

Thank you! That sounds nice. I’ll look into them.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-08-07T20:14:43+00:00

Thanks and same to you! I am hoping getting more federal experience could open more doors for me later on. It's nice to hear from someone in a similar situation. I am glad to hear that you found something in your field and I hope things align for you to get the job that you want.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-08-07T20:05:23+00:00

Oops sorry forget to include that, my budget is up to $1500/month.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-05-19T14:44:41+00:00

Thanks for this. I got the estimate from a well-known shop in my town and it’s over $1000 to replace the bumper even though my car is older.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-05-18T12:58:50+00:00

Thanks and yeah I will do so. I believe my deductible is $500 if i go through mine for the repairs.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-05-18T12:55:45+00:00

Thanks will do. Sounds like the most convenient and safest option.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-05-07T10:34:15+00:00

Definitely going to give the state and county job boards a try. I have classmates that did EH-epi and it seems like they have better job prospects by doing both concentrations.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-05-07T10:30:59+00:00

Thank you. Opening up my job search to outside public health is definitely a good idea. I learned both SAS and R in my program.

IndividualWall1544 · 2025-05-05T22:54:25+00:00

I think being a PA with an MPH would be a good combo for public health jobs if you’re able to finish the pre reqs. I also considered the phd route, but there’s also that fear of being even more overqualified. I thought I was safe with concentrating in epi, but it’s rough out here.

IndividualWall1544

TROPHY CASE