The Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division Standardization Branch is responsible for planning, developing, and revising U.S. grade standards which detail quality and condition-related factors for fresh and processed fruits, vegetables, nuts, and other specialty products, developing and revising grading manuals, inspection instructions, and visual aids for U.S. grade standards. The incumbent will serve as an Agricultural Marketing Specialist in the SCI Division Standardization Branch.

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: Initiates, develops, and conducts standardization activities for commodities. Develops plans for study, visual presentation techniques, and devices or equipment to improve the standardization of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Plans investigations and studies to collect raw data and general information concerning product characteristics. Provides indirect supervision of official inspections through grade interpretations, guides, and instructions for assigned commodities Prepares drafts of proposed rulemaking and final rulemaking in developing new and revised U.S. grade standards. Analyzes and determines attributes and technical features pertinent to quality standardization.

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: Experience revising, or developing requirements or standards controlling the handling, processing, packaging, storing, grading, inspecting, etc. of agricultural commodities. Experience gathering, assembling, analyzing facts, drawing conclusions, and making sound recommendations. Experience applying oral and written communication skills with the ability to establish, develop, and maintain effective working relationships. Experience in all phases of standardization activities for fruit, vegetable, nut, and specialty and related products. OR 3 years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Agriculture, Botany, Crop Production, Agronomy, Product Processing, Food Chemistry, Technology, Quality Control, or related disciplines. NOTE: 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: Experience independently formulating, revising, and developing complex criteria, requirements and standards controlling the handling, processing, packaging, storing, grading, inspecting, etc. of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, nuts, and specialty and related products. Experience presenting new and sometimes controversial proposals and in interpreting regulations for members of the food industry, and skill in applying this knowledge to the mission of the Standardization Branch, occasionally in conferences or workshop settings. Experience independently applying knowledge of grading principles and inspection techniques, and in-depth knowledge of the food regulations of the United States. Experience independently applying knowledge of the U.S. grade standards for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, nuts, and specialty and related products as well as the related inspection and certification policies and procedures. NOTE: There is no education substitution at 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]