Within the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) monitors the activities of the livestock and poultry industry to ensure subject persons and firms are complying with the Packers and Stockyards Act and regulations. You will carry out enforcement of the jurisdictional, competition, financial, and trade provisions of the Act by conducting legal research, legal analysis, and technical and investigative assistance.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Collaborates with Department attorneys in serving as a legal administrative advisor and in-house legal resource person by providing thorough interpretations and analyses used to set policy pecedents. Prepares memoranda or reports outlining the factual and legal issues involved, explaining the application of legal principles and precedents, and justifying recommendations or conclusions. Makes recommendations concerning antitrust problems in the livestock, poultry, and meat industries and provides recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints. Directs the preparation of investigative work plans to ensure that each and every element necessary to establish a violation is supported by adequate, competent, and sound evidence. Recommends the issuance of subpoenas and demand letters when necessary and prepares pre-subpoena demand letters and subpoenas. Collaborates with other Federal and State government agencies in designing and conducting surveillance and investigations. Represents the Agency in establishing and maintaining relationships with diverse groups to furnish technical information, obtain policy and program recommendations, and promote cooperative relations.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Following written and verbal direction from senior staff, conducting legal research and analysis, or participating in investigations of complaints related to unfair or deceptive business practices, antitrust or anticompetitive activities, commodities or financial market regulation, or similar areas of business law and regulation. Attending training or education in the law of unfair or deceptive business practices, antitrust or anticompetitive activities, commodities or financial market or institution regulation, or general business law as demonstrated through coursework, seminars, professional development, or on-the-job training. Providing recommendations based on legal analysis, investigative results, rulemaking activities, legislative analysis, or document review to senior staff for further approval. Presenting technical and legal information in verbal or written format to meet the intended audience's needs. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying knowledge of unfair or deceptive business practices, antitrust or anticompetitive activities, commodities or financial market or institution regulation, or the regulation of agricultural, livestock, or poultry markets. Participating in legal or regulatory enforcement investigations, rulemaking activities, or legislative or regulatory policy development or implementation. Experience reviewing documents, researching, and writing legal memoranda and litigation documents, and providing recommendations regarding investigations and formal complaints. Demonstrating the ability to independently prioritize one or more projects, cases, or investigations when assigned simultaneously. Developing legal, regulatory, or policy recommendations or proposals on matters involving complex applications of law to factual, market, or policy circumstances. Note: There is no education substitute for this grade level. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience participating in legal or regulatory enforcement investigations, rulemaking activities, or legislative or regulatory policy development or implementation. Experience conducting complex legal research, legal analysis, and technical and investigative assistance on issues related to the enforcement of unfair or deceptive business practices, antitrust or anticompetitive activities, commodities or financial market or institution regulation, or the regulation of agricultural, livestock, or poultry markets. Experience with antitrust problems and knowledge of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure and Administrative Procedures Act; engaging in all aspects of discovery; deposition preparation; conducting or assisting senior attorneys in depositions; and assisting senior attorneys in preparation for and conducting trials in State and Federal Court. Experience in multiple aspects of the preparation of legal documentation, such as but not limited to, the preparation of legal memoranda, participating in deposition preparation, conducting, or assisting senior attorneys in depositions, assisting senior attorneys in preparation for and conducting trials, preparing proposed or final rules or administrative records, drafting or preparing legislation, drafting legal contracts or disclosure documents involving legal, due diligence, or drafting legal filings before a court or regulatory body. Experience preparing investigative or rulemaking work plans to ensure that every element necessary to establish a violation or rule is supported by adequate, competent, and sound evidence and participating as the lead investigator or rule writer. Note: There is no education substitute for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that grade level. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Education

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: APHIS Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]