Agricultural Marketing Service's Specialty Crops Inspection Division is responsible for developing U.S. grade standards and providing inspection, grading, certification, and audit-based services nation-wide on a user-fee basis for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products. The Assistant Officer-in-Charge shares with the Officer-in-Charge responsibility for carrying out Division programs, and supervising activities and personnel.

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: Assist OIC the in providing administrative and technical supervision to all personnel assigned to the office, including supervisors, trainers, office staff and graders in field assignments. Supervise the sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products for quality, condition and grade in accordance with official standards Assists in the establishment of performance standards of subordinates and evaluates their performance. Assigns subordinate personnel to perform services and coordinates the work in such a manner as to provide prompt, efficient, and timely service to meet customer needs and assure financial stability Collaborates with Specialty Crops Inspection Division Standardization Branch in the development and testing of grade standards and inspection aids for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Directs the preparation and issuance of certificates covering grading services. In conjunction with the OIC, develops plans for overall area operations and formulates recommendations regarding the inspection service and the adoption or modification of policies and procedures Directs and/or coordinates requests for service, authorizes services to be performed, and makes necessary arrangements for service. Plans work of subordinates, including supervisors, by reviewing area operations in light of changing workloads, types of inspection, volume of work, priority of requests, and other factors.

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.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary 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.
• 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.
• The work environment includes time in a typical office setting, processing and/or packing facilities and warehouses.
• Travel to training sessions and meetings and to conduct reviews of inspection operations at in- plant or in-house assignments, inspections or reviews, and other assigned duties at various Division and Federal-State work sites is required.
• The work is often conducted around moving equipment such as forklifts and trucks.
• The work environment further requires working in close proximity to others and/or alone; and operating a motor vehicle via a valid driver’s license.
• May require working on weekends and overtime; traveling for extended periods of time; and working multiple shifts.

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-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: Providing technical guidance to personnel regarding sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and/or processed fruits and vegetables. Independently, consistently, and accurately applying grade standards, purchase specifications, and/or inspection regulations in making borderline determinations. Communicate logically and concisely in both oral and written form when rendering decisions and/or interacting with management, employees, and industry. 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 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: Apply grading standards and/or inspection regulations to make borderline determinations and to recognize and identify commodity defects and diseases. Serve as technical export performing final grading on reviews, making appeal determinations, resolving controversies, or providing broad technical guidance on difficult and controversial grading inspection problems. Providing oversight, direction and coordination to operational activities. Providing technical supervision to personnel regarding sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Developing new initiatives and processes when programs change. Reviewing and directing the work of self and others. Communicates logically and concisely in both oral and written form when rendering decisions and/or interacting with management, employees and industry. 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: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]