The position is located in the Laboratory Approval Service (LAS), Laboratory Approval & Testing Division (LATD), Science and Technology Program (S&T), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). The incumbent develops and administers laboratory approval programs to support the marketing of agricultural commodities and products both domestically and internationally, including audit-based verification activities for foreign government export requirements and third-party reviews for other AMS programs.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Serves as an expert in administering and managing Laboratory Approval Program(s) which involves planning and coordinating the execution of the approval program. Liaising with laboratory directors to make determinations of the laboratories analytical testing capabilities. Assessing equipment and instrumentation capabilities, evaluating analytical methodology and data for suitability. Providing verbal and written direction to laboratories, recommending and collaborating on developing policies and protocols for program implementation. Serves as the Laboratory Approval Service (LAS) primary point of contact between the industries, private laboratories, and various federal agencies. Researches and writes technical requirements for Laboratory Approval Programs. Applies scientific knowledge and expertise to implement policies and procedures that are necessary for administration of audit-based verification laboratory approval programs that meet agency goals. Conducts complex and critical audits (remote and onsite) of laboratories participating in LAS Laboratory Approval Programs to evaluate compliance with program requirements .

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.
• 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/.
• 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.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 0401 SERIES: Degree: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position. or Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 0403 SERIES: Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent. or Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 1320 SERIES: Degree: physical sciences, life sciences, or engineering that included 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by course work in mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics. or Combination of education and experience -- course work equivalent to a major as shown in A above, including at least 30 semester hours in chemistry, supplemented by mathematics through differential and integral calculus, and at least 6 semester hours of physics, plus appropriate experience or additional education. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 1382 SERIES: Degree: food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science. The course work must have been comprised of at least 30 semester hours in the basic biological and physical sciences, and included at least 20 semester hours in food technology and closely related subjects, or 20 semester hours in subjects that can be applied directly to food technology. or Combination of education and experience -- courses equivalent to a major, including the course work specified, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Developing and implementing new audit programs to meet customer and country-specific requirements; and coordinating compliance of participants. Developing and implementing new or revised policies, procedures, guidelines, instructions, and templates for business operations. Applying conformity assessment standards (ISO 17011) and auditing principles and practices (ISO 19011) to evaluating compliance of businesses (e.g., food testing laboratories) applying quality management standards to business operations (ISO 9001, ISO 10725). Analyzing data, applying technical expertise, and writing technical reports for routine, unique and controversial situations, trends, and improvement opportunities. Writing regulatory dockets including renewal of information collection notices. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. 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]