The Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division is responsible for developing U.S. grade standards and providing inspection, grading, certification, and audit-based services nation-wide on a user fee basis for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products. SCI Division develops and conducts training in support of these inspection and audit-based programs.

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: Develops and revises inspection and certification procedures and instructions for use by SCI Division and Federally-licensed State personnel. Maintains liaison with field supervisors, including Regional Operations Branch Chiefs, Officers-in-Charge, Federal Program Managers, and Federal supervisors when developing and issuing instructions co Provides draft instructions for comment, obtains suggestions, and includes options for actions for consideration by field personnel. Recommends and participates in the preparation of changes to accommodate inspection procedures as necessary. Makes recommendations for developing or revising grading manuals, handbooks, inspection instructions and/or visual aids to facilitate inspection accuracy and uniformity. Assists Regional Operations Branch Chiefs in performing reviews of designated offices. Ensures that all non-conformances are brought to the supervisory staff’s attention and corrected in a proper and timely manner.

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/.
• 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.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

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: Assisting with applying grading and certification procedures for inspections to U.S. standards, regulations, and USDA commodity purchase specifications for items such as fresh and or processed fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops. Assisting with inspecting processed products, including sampling, grading, laboratory analyses, certification, and proper completion of various agency forms and reports. Assisting with understanding and application of food safety practices and policies (e.g. Better Process Control, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), FDA Experience, etc.) Assisting with reviewing grade standards for fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, commercial item descriptions, USDA purchase specifications. Assisting with processing, packing, and packaging materials, marketing methods and practices to provide technical guidance on grading inspection problems of fresh and or processed fruits, vegetables, and specialty crops. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Business, Science or related field. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., if related. 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: Independent experience applying grading and certification procedures for inspections to U.S. standards, regulations, and USDA commodity purchase specifications for items such as fresh and processed fruit, vegetables, and specialty crops. Independent experience inspecting processed products, including sampling, grading, laboratory analyses, certification, and proper completion of various agency forms and reports. Independent experience applying food safety practices and policies (e.g. Better Process Control, Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), FDA Experience, etc.) Independent experience reviewing new and revised grade standards for fresh and processed fruit and vegetables, commercial item descriptions, USDA purchase specifications. Independent experience planning, coordinating, and reviewing inspections of grading and certification procedures and the nationwide inspection program for USDA, AMS purchases of fruit and vegetables for Federal feeding programs such as the National School Lunch Program and operational rations for the military. Note: There is no education substitution 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]