“The great thing about working in FSIS is that no day is exactly the same. There are so many initiatives that are important to both employees and stakeholders,” says Program Specialist Natasha Williams.
A native of Aurora, Colo., Williams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications from the University of Colorado. After graduation, she moved to Washington, D.C., where she joined the Food Safety and Inspection Service in May 2009, fulfilling her lifelong ambition to make a difference through a career in public health and outreach.
As a program specialist in FSIS’ Office of Outreach, Employee Education and Training, Williams provides outreach to educate small and very small establishments that specialize in slaughtering and processing by sharing technical expertise, agency updates and advice on policies, implementation of food safety systems and enforcement. She says, “Supporting these establishments is the best part of my job.”
Williams’ work to educate small and very small plants is a vital part of ensuring a safe food supply. It helps them to achieve compliance with FSIS regulations and builds stronger partnerships between industry and the agency to meet a common goal—safe food for dinner tables.
Additionally, the trainings she facilitates and the work she does to better inform plant operators complements the work of FSIS inspectors and other personnel, who ultimately work together to ensure the safety of the nation’s meat, poultry and egg products. The demanding and dynamic work that FSIS does requires staff in all areas to contribute their knowledge and expertise in order to achieve success. This team approach is how FSIS carries out its overall mission of protecting public health.
“It’s gratifying to work for an agency where you can see the difference you make everyday,” said Williams. “Working for FSIS is rewarding because you can go into grocery stores and see our inspection seal on the products you purchase. You can say to yourself: this is my agency and I work here.”
Faces of Food Safety is an initiative by FSIS to introduce Americans to the real people who work every day to keep the food in their own homes and yours safe. Click to read more about Williams and other Faces of Food Safety on FSIS’s website.
