Editor’s note: This is a recent installment in a series of employee profiles being published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Kimberly Johnson is a Consumer Safety Inspector (CSI) serving in the Office of Field Operations (OFO) in the Springdale district. Johnson began her career with FSIS in Liberal, KS, as a red meat food inspector before transferring to Springdale, AR, for a poultry food inspector position.

Even while working for the industry prior to joining FSIS, Johnson was aware of the importance of properly following inspection procedures and identifying pathology. She felt that a position with FSIS may enhance her opportunity to have a better job and provide a better life for her and her family.

“As a then-single mother of four biological children and one adopted child, I knew that a position with FSIS would provide more for me and my children,” Johnson said.

Since joining FSIS, Johnson has had the opportunity to learn and grow within her career. She was one of a fortunate few to be able to attend the inspection methods training as a GS-7 and be promoted to an Online/Offline Consumer Safety Inspector. In this position, she was afforded training opportunities and exposure to various species and production processes. This training gave her more tools to become a more effective inspector.

As a CSI, she helps protect the nation’s food supply. Her role is important, as it protects consumers and ensures that regulated establishments produce a safe product by executing appropriate inspection methods, determining noncompliance with regulatory requirements, documenting noncompliance and initiating enforcement action.

Johnson is an advocate for food safety and frequently serves to educate her community on proper food safety practices. In doing so, Johnson set up a booth at Rogers High School in Rogers, AR, and spoke to students and parents about the career opportunity offered by USDA and the importance of food safety. She also spoke to a class at Diamond Elementary School in Diamond, MO, on the importance of food safety, and she also distributed food safety coloring books to newly enrolled kindergartens.

Johnson says she enjoys the work that she does at FSIS.

“What I love most about my job with FSIS is that at the end of my shift, I have a peace that I have done all I could do to protect consumers and make a difference in the TEAM,” she said.

She also would like to offer some advice to those who would like to expand their profession within USDA: “FSIS offers so many opportunities to enhance your career, your knowledge and abilities and your resume. Get your hand up! Volunteer for shadowing opportunities, apply for the leadership programs and volunteer committees, participate in available workshops and training classes, take as many AgLearn courses that you can and keep pouring into yourself.”

In addition to working at FSIS and making an impact on food safety and public health, Kimberly Johnson is a wife, mother and grandmother who enjoys volunteering time with her church, loves spending time with her family and friends, and loves music.

As a survivor of domestic violence, Johnson has a renewed passion for life and would like to encourage readers: “No matter the stones being thrown at you, KEEP PUSHING ON!”

(To sign up for a free subscription to Food Safety News, click here.)