This position is located in the Specialty Crops Program, Specialty Crops Market News Division field office. The assigned office is responsible for collecting, analyzing, preparing, and releasing market news data for fresh fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops. In this position, you will serve as a Market Reporter responsible for covering a large portion of assigned markets with increasing responsibility at each grade level.

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: Collect, analyze and disseminate daily market information for fruits and vegetables. Contacts the many firms by face-to-face or telephone interviews, in collecting and analyzing information relative to general and specific market conditions. Reconciles each price quotation to the originating growing area by commodity unit of sale, size, variety, grade and other distinguishing factors. Studies daily and seasonal operations as well as market reports from various widely scattered and distant production areas. Prepares and disseminates a number of daily, weekly, monthly, and special market reports covering local sales on the wholesale market or information that may be of interest to the trade. Keeps abreast of general economic informational material and new developments and trends in the marketing of fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops

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.
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• 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/
• Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
• 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.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license as a condition of employment.

Qualifications

To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements, Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years, OR Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met. QUALIFYING WITH GENERAL EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have three years of general experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service (GS-04). This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, may have been gained in administrative, professional, technical, investigative, or other responsible work, and it demonstrates the ability to: Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions. Plan and organize work. Communicate effectively orally and in writing. OR QUALIFYING EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: Bachelor's degree or 4 years of successfully completed education above high school leading to a bachelor's degree. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05 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. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service (GS-05). This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Demonstrated knowledge of the methods, principles, techniques and requirements pertaining to the reporting of market news covering agricultural products; use of information technology to compile, track, and analyze data. Reconciling quotations to the originating growing area by commodity, unit of sale, size, variety, and other distinguishing factors. OR Education Substitution for GS-07: One full year of graduate level education in Marketing, Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, or related field. The education must have been obtained in an accredited college or university. OR Superior Academic Achievement: Successful completion of a 4-year degree with a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or higher for all courses or 3.5 or higher for courses within the major field or standing within the top third of a graduating class, or membership in a national scholastic honor society. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service (GS-07). This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Demonstrated knowledge of the methods, principles, techniques and requirements pertaining to the reporting of market news covering agricultural products; use of information technology to compile, track, and analyze data. Reconciling quotations to the originating growing area by commodity, unit of sale, size, variety, and other distinguishing factors. Working knowledge of the agricultural commodity market reporting and analysis process. Recognition of types of commodity containers, the production areas which they are provide, the grade and quality, color, pack, size, appearance, unit of sale, and price inclusion services. OR Education Substitution for GS-09: Two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in Marketing, Agriculture, Horticulture, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, or related. Combining Education and Experience at GS-07/09 levels: Combinations of successfully completed post-high school education and experience may be used to meet total qualification requirements. Computed by first determining the applicant's total qualifying experience as a percentage of the experience required for the grade level; then determining the applicant's education as a percentage of the education required for the grade level; and then adding the two percentages. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant for that grade level. Only graduate education in excess of the amount required for the next lower grade level may be used to qualify applicants for positions at grades GS-09. 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.

Transcripts including the date your degree was conferred are required. Applications will not be considered without this documentation.

Contacts

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