United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Dairy Program, California Federal Milk Market Administrator falls under the Excepted Service. This position will be filled in the 1313 Marketing Services Technician series.

Duties

The Marketing Services Technician (MS Tech) will be visiting dairy farms throughout California to verify milk weights and milk component sample tests. The MS Tech will be driving a van to a pre-arranged dairy farm/ranch location and using metering equipment to verify milk weights, or to establish new milk tank calibrations. The MS Tech may also work in the Folsom Market Administrator milk testing laboratory (as needed) to assist sample production or shipping. Operate a van and related metering equipment to verify and/or adjust the accuracy of bulk milk holding tanks. Perform and assist in routine maintenance of tank calibration metering equipment. Analyze data related to farm/plant weights and component test and report findings to supervisor. Collect and/or procure milk, milk products, or raw milk samples from dairy farms or processors. As needed, assist preparing milk sample standards or calibration sets for in-house testing, as well as industry testing. Assist laboratory staff in distributing samples including packing/shipping to indicated laboratories and stakeholders. Utilize a computer and other technology to store farm and producer related information. Represent the Market Administrator's office in contact with the dairy industry. NOTE: This position falls under pay bands MA 08-15. Selectee's pay will be set between the MA 12-15 pay bands based on years of education and/or experience.

Requirements

• Must be a U.S. citizen.
• You will be required to pass a background investigation and fingerprint check.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be registered or exempt from Selective Service (see Legal and regulatory guidance below).
• Direct Deposit of Pay is required.
• There is a required one-year probationary period.
• This is a non-bargaining unit position.
• The selectee's pay will be set between pay bands MA 12-15
• Maintain a valid driver's license and clean driving record.
• Mechanical aptitude, ability to troubleshoot and basic repairs/maintenance.
• Ability to lift or move equipment such as portable generator, metering equipment etc.
• Work independently or in small groups.
• Ability to communicate with producers, milk haulers, and industry personnel about the program, equipment, and findings.
• Ability to analyze results and develop factual conclusions.
• Ability to obtain a California Milk Sampler and Weigher License.
• Computer skills, proficient in Microsoft Word and Excel.
• The ability to travel away from duty station is required, including overnight travel.
• Farm or ranch, dairy plant, agricultural field representative and /or mechanical experience a plus, but not required.

Qualifications

To qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience. If qualifying based on education, a copy of your unofficial transcripts must be provided with your application. Basic Qualification Requirements: Applicants must have required general or education as follows: General Experience: Must have 3 years of general experience. This experience may have been obtained in a laboratory or field environment. This experience is in one of the physical sciences or a closely related discipline which provided some of the basic knowledge or skills involved in one or more of the following: (1) gathering, recording, and assembling scientific data; (2) using scientific instruments to measure degrees, weights, strengths, etc.; (3) setting up and operating test methods; and (4) evaluating quantitative data. The guidelines used to perform the work are specific and detailed and the work is repetitious. OR Education Substitution: Must have successfully completed studies in an accredited college or university above the high school level to substitute for general experience at the rate of 1 year of undergraduate education (i.e., 30 semester or 45 quarter hours) for 1 year of general experience (up to a maximum of 3 years of undergraduate education for 3 years of general experience) Note: 3 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-12. Minimum Qualifications: Applicants must have required specialized experience or education as follows: MA-13 THROUGH MA-15 GRADE LEVELS: In addition to meeting the 3 years general experience requirements for the MA-12 grade level above, applicants must qualify for one or more of these higher grade levels according to the following time and specialized experience requirements. (MA-13: ½ year, MA-14:1 year, MA-15: 1 ½ years) This experience demonstrates performing technical work in one of the physical sciences, or in a closely related field, such as experience as a laboratory technician when the work was performed in close association with a chemist or other physical scientist and provided me with an intensive knowledge of scientific principles, methods, and techniques. The guidelines used to perform the work may have required some deviation or adaptation to specific circumstances and required some judgment in their application. OR MA-13 THROUGH MA-15 EDUCATION SUBSTITUTION: Applicants may qualify for one or more of these higher grade levels using directly related graduate education to substitute for specialized experience. For the MA-13 through the MA-15 grade levels, applicants must have successfully completed directly related graduate education in an accredited college or university to substitute for specialized experience at the rate of 15 semester hours (or 18 quarter hours) of graduate education for 6 months of specialized experience (up to a maximum of 54 semester hours of graduate education for 1 ½ years of specialized experience). Note: "directly related" graduate education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work. Part-time or unpaid experience: Credit will be given for appropriate unpaid and or part-time work. You must clearly identify the duties and responsibilities in each position held and the total number of hours per week. Volunteer or unpaid experience: Refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service Programs (i.e., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student and social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge and skills that can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experiences, including volunteer experience.

Education

Education Requirements: You must provide transcripts or other documentation to support your educational claims. Unless otherwise stated: (1) unofficial transcripts are acceptable, or (2) you may submit a list with all your courses, grades, semester, year, and credit for the course. All materials must be submitted by the closing date of the announcement.

Foreign education: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information click here. You must provide translated transcripts.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Marketing Service USDA, AMS, Dairy Program 1400 Independence Ave, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Vanessa Perkins-Glover
• Phone: 8164265706
• Email: [email protected]