United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service, Dairy Program, Federal Milk Market Administrator falls under the Excepted Service. This position will be filled in the 1312 Laboratory Technician series.

Duties

As the Laboratory Technician in this position, you will: Test milk or finished milk products for butterfat, protein, total solids, lactose, milk urea nitrogen, and somatic cells counts using both wet chemical methods and instrumentation. Perform routine laboratory tasks necessary for the preparation and shipment of control milk for in-house as well as industry testing. Visit farms, dairy plants, milk hauler facilities and stores to obtain supplies of milk and milk samples. Assist in operating metering equipment to verify and/or adjust the accuracy of bulk milk holding tanks at dairy farms. Follow established quality and safety protocols for laboratory and field duties. 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 08-15 pay bands based on years of education and/or experience.

Requirements

• You 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 08 - 15
• Maintain a clean driving record.
• Must be able to regularly lift 50 pounds.
• Ability to obtain California Technician licenses and Sampler’s and Weigher’s license at the employer's expense.
• Regular local travel and infrequent overnight travel are required. Mileage, lodging and per diem paid as applicable.
• Safely work in a laboratory environment and milk house on slippery floors with varying temperatures, noise levels, and smells.
• Occasional overtime 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. Professional Experience Qualification Requirements: General Experience (MA 8-12)- Applicants must have the total years of general experience required for the grade level (MA8 - 1 year; MA9 - 1.5 years; MA10 - 2 years; MA11 - 2.5 years; MA12 - 3 years). This experience may have been obtained in a laboratory or field environment 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 General and Specialized Experience (MA 13 or higher) - In addition to the general experience, applicants for the MA-13 grade level and above must have experience (MA13 - .5 year of specialized and 3 years general; MA14 - 1 year of specialized and 3 years of general experience; MA15 - 1.5 years of specialized and3 years of general experience) 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 the applicant 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 to use some judgment in their application. OR Education: Applicants 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: 2 1/2 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-11, and 3 years of undergraduate education meets the requirement for MA-12. 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 experience, 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 of 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]