Agricultural Commodity Grading Jobs

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 serves as a grader at an inspection point, processing facility or area office lab. Note: applicants are allowed up to three location choices. 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: Selects representative samples from the product lots in accordance with prescribed sampling and plans. Inspects products to determine the quality, condition, and/or compliance with U.S. Grade Standards or stated contract specifications. Prepares and maintains a variety of reports related to production data and grading results. Applies the official standards and regulations to determine the product’s grade and/or condition and directly issues the certificate In difficult or unusual cases, prepares a draft certificate with a tentative determination and submits it for higher-level review. Draws and examines representative samples of products and determines grade, condition and wholesomeness in accordance with official grade standards, buyer-seller contracts or other specifications. Makes observations to determine if plant facilities, operating methods, processing equipment and personnel are in compliance with SCI sanitation requirements and FDA regulations. Observes the raw product material to establish the suitability for processing and advises plant management of the results. Instructs technicians and aids in proper grading and inspection techniques. 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 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have 3 years of general, progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-4 level in the Federal service. Experience must demonstrate the ability to: Identify problems, gather pertinent data, or recognize solutions. Plan and organize work. Utilize office software such as: Adobe, Excel, Word. Such experience may have been gained in quality assurance (machinist, on-line production work), as a commodity buyer, receiving clerk, farm experience (in a managerial, decision- making capacity), clerical (office manager, administrative assistant with decision-making responsibility), or food processing laboratory food work (managerial, technical). Experience must provide evidence of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position and show decision making responsibilities. NOTE: General clerical experience (typing, filing, routine processing, or other non-specialized repetitive tasks) is not creditable. OR Applicants must have successfully completed a 4-year course of study, from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's degree. 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 grade level) that demonstrates: Grading or inspecting product utilizing grading standards and regulations. Draws samples of product. Identifies and describes common product defects and/or diseases. OR One full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, or a related field. 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). 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 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.

If selected for this position, you would be responsible for grading the full range of poultry and poultry products and/or shell egg products in the assigned commodity. 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: Designated contact with plant management to coordinate the grading/inspection activities. Prepare and maintains a variety of reports related to production data and grading results. Examine product to determine adherence with contracts, such as grade, weight, packing and quantity. Train selected plant personnel to grade according to U.S. standards. Grade different types of poultry and eggs, by applying official standards and regulations. 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: General experience: 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). The experience must demonstrate the ability to: Identify problems, gather pertinent data or recognize solutions. Plan and organize work. Utilize office software such as: Adobe, Excel, Word. Experience must provide evidence of the skills shown above. General clerical experience (typing, filing, routine processing, or other non-specialized repetitive tasks) is not creditable. OR 4-year course of study 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 grade level) that demonstrates: Determining the grade, quality, acceptability, processing, packing, storage, and/or transportation of food grade product, refrigeration, processing, packing, storage, and transportation. Ensuring compliance with food grade and/or sanitation regulations in a processing plant, warehouse, livestock operation, food establishment, or similar workplace to determine quality against regulations and/or standards. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics or a related field. 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).Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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 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.

If selected for this position, you would be responsible for grading the full range of poultry and poultry products and/or shell egg products in the assigned commodity. 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: Designated contact with plant management to coordinate the grading/inspection activities. Prepare and maintains a variety of reports related to production data and grading results. Examine product to determine adherence with contracts, such as grade, weight, packing and quantity. Train selected plant personnel to grade according to U.S. standards. Grade different types of poultry and eggs, by applying official standards and regulations. 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: General experience: 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). The experience must demonstrate the ability to: Identify problems, gather pertinent data or recognize solutions. Plan and organize work. Utilize office software such as: Adobe, Excel, Word. Experience must provide evidence of the skills shown above. General clerical experience (typing, filing, routine processing, or other non-specialized repetitive tasks) is not creditable. OR 4-year course of study 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 grade level) that demonstrates: Determining the grade, quality, acceptability, processing, packing, storage, and/or transportation of food grade product, refrigeration, processing, packing, storage, and transportation. Ensuring compliance with food grade and/or sanitation regulations in a processing plant, warehouse, livestock operation, food establishment, or similar workplace to determine quality against regulations and/or standards. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics or a related field. 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).Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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 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.

This position is located in the Meat Grading and Standards Division, Livestock & Poultry Program, AMS. The Meat Grading and Standards (MGS) Division is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering programs for the grading, verification and/or inspection of beef, veal & calf, lamb, and pork. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Shares fully with the Regional Director in recommending new or revised policies, programs, procedures, and standards for nationwide use. Maintenance of obligations records and reports in accordance with established procedures. Represents the Branch, Division, and Agency in contact with members of the trade, Federal and State agencies, etc. Shares fully with the Regional Director responsibilities for directing and supervising the meat grading and certification programs throughout the regional area. Plans and adjusts work methods to due to variable operating conditions and the changing methods of operations on the part of the industry. Identifies training needs of subordinates for their continuing development. 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. GS-13 Specialized Experience: Evaluating the technical adequacy and acceptability of commodity grading, certification, and audit programs. Resolving billing and fiscal accountability issues. Supervising others and in managing employee performance. Assessing staffing needs and with recruiting, hiring, and maintaining a professional workforce. Maintaining contacts, communicating, and collaborating with a wide array of internal and external program stakeholders. Note: There is no education substitution for this 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.