This position is located in an area office of the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Program, Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division. The Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader shares with the Officer-in-Charge and Assistant Officer-in-Charge responsibility for carrying out Division programs, and supervising activities and personnel.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Assists the OIC and AOIC in the administrative and technical supervision of all personnel in the assigned area. Supervises the sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables for quality, condition and grade in accordance with official standards, market orders and regulations. Directs the charges made for work performed with necessary follow through to ensure accurate collections and maintenance of records. Assists in the establishment of performance standards of subordinates and evaluates their performance. Plans work of subordinates by reviewing area operations in light of changing workloads, types of inspection, volume of work, priority of requests, and other factors. Receives and resolves complaints of subordinates. Holds corrective counseling sessions and effects disciplinary measures of a minor nature. Collaborates with SCI Division Standardization Branch in the development and testing of grade standards and inspection aids for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Provides a direct link between inspection personnel in his/her area and the AOIC/OIC. Resolves complaints from the industry on grade determinations made by subordinate graders.

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.

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: Experience in the provision of technical guidance to personnel regarding sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Experience applying accurate and consistent grade standards, purchase specifications, and/or inspection regulations in making borderline determinations. Experience communicating both orally and in written form when rendering decisions and/or interacting with management, employees, and industry. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in agriculture, botany, crop production, agronomy, product processing, food chemistry, technology, or quality control. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in agriculture, botany, crop production, agronomy, product processing, food chemistry, technology, or quality control leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying 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]