The incumbent serves as a Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Specialist responsible for handling complaint, license and trust matters originating under Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) and complaint matters originating under the Produce Agency Act (PAA).

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: Handles complex contractual disputes involved in reparation complaints through correspondence or personal contact with the parties involved Conducts complex personal investigations and audits of business records. Prepares written analyses of results of audits and findings of investigations. Determines geographic areas to conduct prospecting based on industry contacts/activities and on data and information found in trade journals and other publications. Updates the Division database with information and activities related to complaint, license, violator, and administrative matters. Provides counseling services and advice on the range of program operations/activities to industry members. Appears as official government witness at administrative hearings and court proceedings involving actions brought under the PACA. Adheres to Equal Employment and Civil Rights policies, goals, and objectives in performing the duties of this position Gathers pertinent data and information pertaining to the complaint; conducts investigations, as required; and prepares detailed analysis of results and findings.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Experience utilizing grading procedures and U.S. grade standards for a commodity. Reviewing technical documents against program standards. Utilizing written documentation and computer databases to prepare reports and case file information. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in the fields of: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Researching laws relating to business structures, bankruptcy, and state regulatory functions. Collecting evidence and develop findings of investigations under license, complaint, disciplinary, and trust provisions of the PACA. Experience utilizing grading procedures and U.S. grade standards for fruits and vegetables. OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.B. or J.D., if related 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: Experience interpreting and applying complex business procedures, laws, and regulations pertaining to agricultural rulemaking and international trade. Experience developing complex regulatory documents to describe, justify, and establish legal requirements. Experience reviewing and analyzing complex industry proposals for a government regulatory program. Experience researching and analyzing economic or business data. Ability to analyze evidence and develop findings and recommendations as a result of investigations under license, complaint, disciplinary, and trust provisions of the PACA. Interpreting various laws relating to business structures, bankruptcy, and state regulatory functions. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the fields of: accounting, business, finance, law, contracts, purchasing, economics, industrial management, marketing, quantitative methods, or organization and management; OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if related Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for all grade level for which both education and experience are acceptable. 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. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09/11 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]