This position is located in the District Office, Office of Field Operations (OFO). The position coordinates all FSIS activities relating to the recall of meat, poultry, and egg products due to potentially contaminated, adulterated, or misbranded products, including providing any necessary fact-finding and follow-up associated with recalls.

Duties

Oversees staff performing food safety verifications. Oversees staff performing food safety analysis activities. Assists in the formulation of operational policies and procedures for program verification activities Adjusts work activities of direct reports’ changing priorities. Coordinates overall food safety assessment (FSA) of product. Schedules assessments at each establishment within the required timeframe. Provides guidance on advanced methods and tools used during assessments. Oversees the evaluation of data used to identify trends in noncompliance. Evaluate data to identify problem areas. Makes final recommendations based on reports of investigative findings with corrective action. Provides accurate and timely information to the District Office and the Recall Management and Technical Analysis Division (RMTAD). Contributes expertise in determining the necessity of recall proceedings with appropriate recall classification. Develops testimony of evidence to support FSIS enforcement actions in formal administrative and civil proceedings.

Requirements

• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• May be subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary or trial period.
• If you are selected, you may need to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
• False statements or responses on a resume or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
• Have your salary sent to a financial institution of your choice by Direct Deposit/Electronic Funds Transfer.
• If you are newly hired, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS "E-VERIFY" system.
• Must pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more, including your rights and responsibilities, visit E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. Failure to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action proceedings including possible termination.
• Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must complete a Pre-Employment Certification Statement for Selective Service Registration.
• 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.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements (including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and education) by the closing date of the announcement, as defined below: Time in grade: Applicants must meet one year at the next lower grade to be considered for the next higher grade (e.g. one year at the GS-12 grade level for consideration at the GS-13 grade level.) For the GS-13 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that demonstrates: Independent and regular responsibility for verifying safety systems used to produce products intended for consumption (e.g. food, pharmaceuticals, drinking water, biological specimens, etc.) and enforcing laws and regulations to protect consumers. In addition, your experience may come from food processing, manufacturing practices, statistical process control, microbiological testing, laboratory analytical procedures, and/or other technical areas that might affect food safety. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: GS-0696 Series 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, knowledge, and skills 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

In order to meet the basic educational requirements for the GS-0696 series, applicants must have:

1. A bachelor's or graduate/higher level degree in quality assurance or a related degree that included at least 30 semester hours in one or a combination of the following: consumer laws, biological sciences, food science, chemistry, pharmacy, physical sciences, food technology, nutrition, medical science, engineering, epidemiology, veterinary medical science, legal investigations, law enforcement, or related scientific fields that provided knowledge directly related to consumer safety officer work.

• The 30 semester hours may include up to 8 semester hours in statistics, or course work that included the principles, theory, or practical application of computers or computer programming.

OR

1. Combination of education and experience--courses consisting of at least 30 semester hours in the fields of study described in paragraph 1. above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Note: Copies of transcripts are required for this announcement; the CSO letters and worksheets previously issued to FSIS employees that documented meeting CSO educational requirements is not sufficient alone to document education; USDA policy requires copies of transcripts for this position.

Contacts

• Address Food Safety and Inspection Service 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Debbie Romeyn
• Phone: 612-852-7777
• Email: [email protected]