Within the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) 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. As an Auditor you will be responsible for completing a wide variety of investigative tasks, forensic analysis, direct surveillance, and related work to support PSD's mission.

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.
• 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT FOR THE 0511 SERIES: 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 requirement above you must also meet the specialized experience below: 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: Performing financial and operational audits of entities. Independently, or as a leading member of an auditing team, plans, designs, organizes, and conducts financial and operational audits of diverse entities. Analyzes financial statements which involves a combination of analytical, problem solving, and technical skills. Creating work plans and performing technical research with little supervision which includes interpreting and applying Local, State and Federal regulations and standard operating procedures.to the work plans. Using computer programs to create and use spreadsheets, databases, graphs, and charts, and perform word processing functions. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Accounting, Auditing, or a closely related field. Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience interviewing and performing a variety of complex financial and trade practices investigations. Performed analyses of financial data, statements, and records, utilizing various database management systems and accounting/analytical software. Developing investigative work plans and techniques to carry out investigations and forensic analysis of firms in complex segments of the industry. Preparing and presenting written and oral findings, and recommendations on significant or controversial issues. 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. 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. INTERNSHIPS, 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.

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]