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 Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader shares fully with the Officer in Charge (OIC) and Assistant Officer in Charge (AOIC), the responsibility for carrying out Division programs.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Assist the OIC and AOIC in the administrative and technical supervision of all personnel in the assigned area. Supervise the sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products for quality, condition and grade in accordance with official standards. Assign subordinate personnel to perform services and coordinate the work in such a manner as to provide prompt, efficient, and timely service to meet customer needs. Assist in the establishment of performance standards of subordinates and evaluates their performance. Receive and resolve complaints of subordinates and hold corrective counseling sessions and effect disciplinary measures of a minor nature. Assist with developing plans for overall area operations and recommendations regarding the inspection service and the adoption or modification of policies and procedures. Collaborate with Division Standardization Branch in the development and testing of grade standards and inspection aids for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Direct the preparation and issuance of certificates covering inspection services. Determine work programs, methods, and procedures to be employed to assure uniformity of inspection on the basis of official standards.

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.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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/.
• Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
• 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.
• May require working on weekends and overtime; traveling for extended periods of time; and working multiple shifts.

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 technical guidance to personnel regarding sampling, inspection, and certification of fresh and/or processed fruits and vegetables. Independently, consistently, and accurately apply grade standards, purchase specifications, and/or inspection regulations in making borderline determinations. Communicate logically and concisely in both oral and written form when rendering decisions and/or interacting with management, employees, and industry. OR: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in agriculture, botany, crop production, agronomy, product processing, food chemistry, technology, or quality control. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in agriculture, botany, crop production, agronomy, product processing, food chemistry, technology, or quality control 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]