We will be collecting applications for this position at an on-site event. Please see "How to Apply". Incumbent Monitors the activities of the livestock and poultry industry by conducting regulatory compliance reviews and investigations to determine whether subject persons and firms are complying with the Packers and Stockyards Act and regulations. Auditors are responsible for completing a wide variety of investigative tasks, forensic analysis, direct surveillance, and related work..

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: Examines financial and operating records; review previous audit reports, formal orders and stipulations, and annual and special reports submitted by subject persons or firms. Independently makes detailed and technical on-site investigations of persons and firms to determine whether their operations are being conducted in conformity with the Act and regulations. Investigates complaints alleging monetary damages and attempts to negotiate a settlement. Provides advice and guidance on the financial audit methodology, monitors the technical accuracy, and reviews the analysis, concepts, and conclusions upon completion of the audit. Integrates the regional plans and activities with the overall regulatory reviews and investigative work of the office. Develops procedures for handling financial complaints received from livestock shippers and other members of the livestock, poultry, and meat marketing industries. Provides technical direction to less experienced auditors in the regional office and State officials engaged in Federal-State cooperative enforcement activities. Works with Legal Specialists and the Office of General Counsel attorneys in conducting investigations, preparing investigative reports, compiling evidence, and preparing proposed complaints. Explains the basis and application of new and existing policies and regulations to producers and farm groups, persons and firms in the regulated industries, and to State officials.

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 a 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/
• A valid driver's license.
• There is some carrying of equipment, walking over rough terrain, working with livestock, lifting fifty pounds or less, and some night observations.
• Considerable driving and occasional flying are required. Local and overnight travel 25-50% of the time is required.

Qualifications

To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. Candidates who are graduating by June 15, 2024 and qualify on the basis of their education will be given consideration. Human Resources will be required to confirm program and qualification requirements as listed in this announcement during the onboarding process and prior to establishing a start date. 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. Current students who will complete their degree requirements by June 15th, 2024 will be considered. 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. BASIC REQUIREMENT Degree: accounting, auditing; or a degree including auditing courses in a related field such as business administration, finance, or public administration that included or was supplemented by 24 semester hours in accounting. The 24 hours may include up to 6 hours of credit in business law. or Combination of education and experience: at least 4 years of experience in accounting, or an equivalent combination of accounting experience, college-level education, and training that provided professional accounting knowledge. The applicant's background must also include one of the following: Twenty-four semester hours in accounting or auditing courses of appropriate type and quality. This can include up to 6 hours of business law; A certificate as Certified Public Accountant or a Certified Internal Auditor, obtained through written examination; or Completion of the requirements for a degree that included substantial course work in accounting or auditing, e.g., 15 semester hours, but that does not fully satisfy the 24-semester-hour requirement of paragraph A, provided that (a) the applicant has successfully worked at the full-performance level in accounting, auditing, or a related field, e.g., valuation engineering or financial institution examining; (b) a panel of at least two higher level professional accountants or auditors has determined that the applicant has demonstrated a good knowledge of accounting and of related and underlying fields that equals in breadth, depth, currency, and level of advancement that which is normally associated with successful completion of the 4-year course of study described in paragraph A; and (c) except for literal nonconformance to the requirement of 24 semester hours in accounting, the applicant's education, training, and experience fully meet the specified requirements. IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE BASIC REQUIREMENTS LISTED ABOVE: Applicants must meet the following specialized experience and/or education requirements listed below: FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, which demonstrates: Knowledge of the livestock, meat or poultry industries operations and practices Under direction, performed examination and analysis of data by utilizing accounting, auditing, and investigative skills. Completed data entry into spreadsheets and databases used to analyze data. Using computer programs to create and use spreadsheets, databases, graphs, and charts and perform word processing functions. Or 1 full year of graduate level education leading to a degree in a closely related field 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: Experience in financial or trade practices in livestock, meat, or poultry industries. With supervision, performed examination and analysis of financial records and recordkeeping systems by utilizing accounting, auditing, and investigative skills. Created and used spreadsheets, databases, graphs, and charts to analyze data. Utilizing verbal communications for presenting facts, findings, and recommendations on technical information. Utilizing written communications for creating clear, concise, detailed reports of facts and findings on technical information. OR 2 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or master's or equivalent graduate degree in Accounting, Auditing, or a closely related field. TRANSCRIPTS are required. Combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this 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.

Transcripts are required. Applications will not be considered without this documentation. For those graduating this semester or prior to 6/15/2024 you will have to provide proof of conferment prior to entrance on duty.

Applicants confirm that they will meet all qualifications as listed in the job opportunity announcement prior to Entrance on Duty. If not able to meet qualifications, the applicant will be removed from consideration.

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]