December 14, 2001 - FSIS set to realign district offices

by Dan Murphy

To improve the effectiveness of its district offices, the Food Safety and Inspection Service plans to realign its field offices and personnel, according to a report from the North American Meat Processors association.

FSIS currently maintains 17 U.S. district offices.

As part of the realignment, FSIS is proposing that the Pickerington, Ohio, Boulder, Colo., and Salem, Ore., district offices be realigned. The result of the realignment will be a reduction of districts from 17 to 15, with two current district offices that will serve as sub-district offices.

No closings, layoffs or relocations will result from the realignment, FSIS officials said.

A review of the role and functions of the district offices was conducted by a working group of FSIS staffers from both headquarters and field locations. The group gathered information on the FSIS field structure, functioning, staffing, and organization of the 17 district offices and submitted a report containing the group's realignment recommendations.

The district office review is one of three initiatives FSIS will use in the future to determine the best infrastructure for district offices and the agency, and the most effective use of resources. FSIS has also initiated reviews of enforcement actions to enhance the integration of inspection and compliance, and also a resource management coordination review to look at best practices to restructure work processes. Particulars of the office configurations, as far as staffing and functions, have not yet been determined.

FSIS plans to initiate the realignment in the next six months.

This article reprinted with permission from Meat Marketing & Technology.

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