The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), 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. The incumbent trains and is responsible for planning, developing and providing training in grading and inspecting fruits, vegetables and related products, and in workplace safety.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Instructs graders, technicians, and aids regarding proper inspection, grading, auditing procedures, techniques, defect identification, defect scoring, and documentation of inspection results Completes and maintains proper training records. Collects and analyzes information from Agricultural Commodity Graders to identify areas to be addressed to ensure uniform and accurate training, and the effective delivery of services. Uses knowledge of day-to-day operations, including grading of fruits and vegetables; and knowledge in training principles and practices, training, formal classroom instruction and adult learning. Assists the Training and Development Branch in providing training to Division employees and/or other customers. Assists with the evaluation of training needs for and/or the inspection performance of individual Agricultural Commodity Graders. Works to ensure consistent and uniform interpretation and application of grade standards and inspection procedures. Reviews new and revised U.S. grade standards for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, Commercial Item Descriptions, USDA purchase specifications, and State specifications. May serve as Safety Officer or Assistant Safety Officer for the Region.

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.
• 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.
• Working on weekends and overtime; traveling for extended periods of time.

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: Providing general and/or technical information on fresh and/or processed grade standards or inspection services. Providing instruction/training on inspection procedures, policies and grade standards of fresh and/or processed fruit and vegetable products and documenting same. Evaluating procedures and instructions to determine training needs, coordinate technical development and maintenance of instruction programs and materials. Experience within the fruit and vegetable industry in application of various practices and procedures including transportation and storage practices; processing, packing and packing materials; marketing methods and practices. 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. 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]