The incumbent makes final grade determinations on products standardized under the Acts and may perform weighing activities at grain handling facilities. The incumbent may rotate between all facilities within his/her assigned area and is responsible for knowledge of those facilities where Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) services are provided.

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: Determines the grade of grain and related commodities and makes independent decisions on difficult and borderline grade determinations. Monitors and interacts with multiple automated control and data dissemination and collection systems. Conducts stowage examinations on ship holds, barges, hopper cars, and other containers to insure cleanliness and acceptability of storage and handling facilities. Reviews fumigant documentation and verifies count of canisters and placard seals on all entry hatches. Documents deviations in grading results, explains to elevator personnel options when grain does not meet specified grade and documents actions to correct deviations. Samples, check weighs, and check loads processed products and non-processed products under the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946. Inspects and check tests equipment and diverter samplers used for official inspection. Ensures accurate weights and accurate documentation of events that support the official weight certificates

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/
• Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
• 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.
• Requires periods of physical exertion to obtain samples involving climbing onto trucks, barges, hopper cars, man lifts, etc., using probes, pelicans, and similar sampling devices; and moving and lifting grain bags or sacks weighing up to 55 pounds.
• Requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, stooping, bending, and climbing.
• Requires ability to detect abnormalities in the grain/commodity through normal or corrected vision in at least one eye for distance and depth perception.
• Requires the ability to assure safety in a highly mechanized noisy environment through adequate or correctable hearing; and the ability to determine product qualities through smell.
• The work involves regular and recurring work in grain elevators in rice mills, processed product plants, rail yards, dock loading and unloading facilities, and various warehouses.
• Grain elevators are subject to explosive dust, vibration, excessive/constant noise, and slippery and uneven walking surfaces. Some work is performed outdoors under varying weather conditions.
• The work is often conducted around moving equipment such as moving conveyor belts. The work environment further requires working in close proximity to others and/or alone.
• Requires working on weekends, nights, holidays and overtime; travel; and changing/rotating shifts.

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. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have three years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service (equivalent to the GS-04 level) (experience may have been obtained in private or public sectors), that demonstrates the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, recognize solutions, and communicate effectively orally and in writing. OR Successfully completed a 4-year course of study, from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's degree. Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying official U.S. grade standards for grain and/or grain products. Utilizing specific elements of product processing, transportation, storage, or conditions that affect the grain and/or grain products grade, acceptability, and quality. Applying the procedures, techniques, and methods required to determine the grain/grain products acceptability or grade, and skill in performing various types of inspections. Establishing, maintaining, and developing effective interpersonal relationships with employees, operating supervisors, and managers of the grain/grain products processing firms and facilities. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, or related subjects; OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9).Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Explaining and demonstrating equipment maintenance, calibration, and testing techniques and principles in order to instruct field office and OA personnel on proper procedures, to provide advice to interested parties, and to take or recommend corrective actions on misinterpretations of established procedures. Applying quality assurance principles and methods in order to maintain the integrity of the equipment program. Utilizing official grain weighing and inspection processes including making independent decisions regarding normal daily weighing operations and evaluation. Applying chemical and physical test procedures in order to accurately and safely provide grading information. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, or related subjects; OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree. Note: 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. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05/07/09 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]