Employee News & Stories
Meet Pickle-Eating Champ, CSI Joe Smith
Joseph Smith, a consumer safety inspector (CSI) in the Chicago District, has been with FSIS for almost ten years. He began his career with the agency in February 2013 as an intermittent employee — working only when an inspector was out sick or on annual leave — and has worked his way up to his current CSI position.
Supervisors Make All the Difference!
The Office of Field Operations (OFO) initiated a Supervisory Consumer Safety Inspector (SCSI) continuous development program to enhance the supervisory skills of SCSIs. Administrator Paul Kiecker was invited to attend the virtual “Leadership Matters” webinar Aug. 11 and found it to be exceptional. The scenarios highlighted how supervision and leadership are not about simply being in charge, but about taking care of those in your charge, putting the team before yourself, and finding ways to motivate, encourage and support your team. Kiecker recognized the volunteers who were involved with Operational Excellence coins during the virtual event, then traveled across the country to meet them and issue the awards in person.
Disability: Part of the Equity Equation
Over 75 years ago, Congress established what would become National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM). NDEAM was initially called National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week and was observed during the first week of October. However, to be more inclusive to those with different types of disabilities, the word “physically” was removed in 1962. By 1988, Congress expanded the recognition to the entire month of October and gave it the name NDEAM.
