Agricultural Marketing Jobs

This Division administers the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), which prohibits unfair trade practices in the marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce and the Produce Agency Act (PAA). The position is located in a regional office of the division. 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: Handle complex contractual disputes involved in reparation complaints through correspondence or personal contact with the parties involved. Conduct complex personal investigations and audits of business records. Conduct a range of licensing activities of firms within the region. Update the Division database with information and activities related to complaint, license, violator, and administrative matters. Provide counseling services and advice on the range of program operations/activities to industry members. Advise industry members of their rights/responsibilities/obligation under the various Acts. Appear as official government witness at administrative hearings and court proceedings involving actions brought under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. Adhere to Equal Employment and Civil Rights policies, goals, and objectives in performing the duties of this position. 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-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Reviewing technical documents against program standards. Utilizing written documentation and computer databases to prepare reports and case file information. Ability to interpret grading procedures and U.S. grade standards for a commodity. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. 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. 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: Researching laws relating to business structures, bankruptcy, and state regulatory functions. Collecting evidence and developing findings of investigations under license, complaint, disciplinary, and trust provisions. Analyzing evidence and developing findings and recommendations resulting from investigations involving licensing, complaint, disciplinary, and trust provisions. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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: Applying business procedures, laws, and regulations, relating to business structures, bankruptcy, and state regulatory functions. Developing regulatory documents to describe, justify, and establish legal requirements. Reviewing, researching, and analyzing industry proposals, economic, or business data. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. 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. 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-7/9/11 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.

In this position you will serve as the Supervisor of the export certification program, providing strategic direction, oversight, and expert guidance for the full scope of export certification activities and work closely with inter agency partners and international counterparts on dairy trade and certification matters. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Recommends program updates and systems improvements to enhance accuracy, timeliness, integrity, and consistency of certification activities. Provides national leadership for the daily operations of the export certification program, ensuring certificates are issued accurately, efficiently, and in compliance with applicable requirements. Directs the review and approval processes for export certificates, facility registrations, attestations, eligibility determinations, and product-specific requirements. Reviews operational performance, identifies areas for improvement, and establishes goals, metrics, and quality controls to strengthen program delivery. Manages recruitment activities, including announcing vacancies, evaluating applicants, conducting interviews, and recommending selections. Assigns and supervises unit employees. 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-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Leading the development, implementation, and oversight of technical policies, guidance documents, and quality management system components governing export certification related activities. Supervising staff and directing program operations by planning work, establishing priorities, and issuing written guidance and correspondence that communicates complex technical, regulatory, and trade-related information to internal and external stakeholders. Representing the program by interpreting international dairy trade requirements, resolving complex certification and compliance issues, and providing recommendations that support program consistency and improvement. 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.

The Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) administers the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended and supplemented. The Packers and Stockyards Act (Act) is a competition, trade practice and financial protection law. Its principal purpose is to maintain effective competition and fair trade practices in livestock, meat, and poultry marketing. The Agricultural Marketing Specialist carries out enforcement of jurisdictional, competition, financial, and trade practice provisions of the Act. 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: Documents investigative findings in an agency approved format and prepares detailed investigative reports documenting violations found when corrective administrative action is warranted. Conducts and/or directs investigations and related activities pertaining to large and complex firms operating subject to the Act. Observes, interviews, and questions the parties involved and, if necessary, takes sworn statements and prepares investigative reports, analysis, and recommendations. Ascertains that registrants, live poultry dealers and packers maintain adequate sets of records as required by the Act. Advises registrants, live poultry dealers and packers of the records they must maintain and when inadequacies are found, specifies the necessary adjustments to affect compliance. Develops annual and quarterly work plans to investigate unfair, unjustly discriminatory or deceptive practices. 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-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Utilizing verbal and written communications for presenting facts, findings, and/or recommendations on technical information related to agricultural products that is clear, concise and detailed. Using computers and software for creating spreadsheets, graphs, charts and performing word processing functions. Assisting with marketing practices in the livestock, meat or poultry industries. OR 1 year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) in agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, livestock business management, livestock marketing and trade, agriculture data analytics, agriculture education, animal science, animal or livestock nutrition, poultry science, farm and ranch management, food processing, food systems, food science, or other closely related agricultural 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. 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: Assisting in financial or trade practices in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Helping facilitate investigations and technical research in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Researching, interpreting, and applying Local, State and Federal regulations and standard operating procedures related to livestock, meat, or poultry industries. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, livestock business management, livestock marketing and trade, agriculture data analytics, agriculture education, animal science, animal or livestock nutrition, poultry science, farm and ranch management, food processing, food systems, food science, or other closely related agricultural field. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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: Independently working with financial or trade practices in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Assisting with minimal oversight in conducting investigations or technical research in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Independently researching, interpreting, and applying Local, State and Federal regulations and standard operating procedures in the livestock, meat or poultry industries. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, livestock business management, livestock marketing and trade, agriculture data analytics, agriculture education, animal science, animal or livestock nutrition, poultry science, farm and ranch management, food processing, food systems, food science, or other closely related agricultural field. OR LL.M., if related. 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: Overseeing and remedying the work of others related to financial or trade practices in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Independently conducting investigations or technical research in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Providing guidance to others as an authority in researching, interpreting, and applying Local, State and Federal regulations and standard operating procedures in the livestock, meat or poultry industries. Note: There is no education substitution 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-07/09/11 GRADE LEVELS: 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.

The Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) administers the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921, as amended and supplemented. The Packers and Stockyards Act (Act) is a competition, trade practice and financial protection law. Its principal purpose is to maintain effective competition and fair trade practices in livestock, meat, and poultry marketing. The Agricultural Marketing Specialist carries out enforcement of jurisdictional, competition, financial, and trade practice provisions of the Act. 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: Documents investigative findings in an agency approved format and prepares detailed investigative reports documenting violations found when corrective administrative action is warranted. Conducts and/or directs investigations and related activities pertaining to large and complex firms operating subject to the Act. Observes, interviews, and questions the parties involved and, if necessary, takes sworn statements and prepares investigative reports, analysis, and recommendations. Ascertains that registrants, live poultry dealers and packers maintain adequate sets of records as required by the Act. Advises registrants, live poultry dealers and packers of the records they must maintain and when inadequacies are found, specifies the necessary adjustments to affect compliance. Develops annual and quarterly work plans to investigate unfair, unjustly discriminatory or deceptive practices. 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-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Utilizing verbal and written communications for presenting facts, findings, and/or recommendations on technical information related to agricultural products that is clear, concise and detailed. Using computers and software for creating spreadsheets, graphs, charts and performing word processing functions. Assisting with marketing practices in the livestock, meat or poultry industries. OR 1 year of graduate level education (18 semester hours) in agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, livestock business management, livestock marketing and trade, agriculture data analytics, agriculture education, animal science, animal or livestock nutrition, poultry science, farm and ranch management, food processing, food systems, food science, or other closely related agricultural 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. 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: Assisting in financial or trade practices in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Helping facilitate investigations and technical research in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Researching, interpreting, and applying Local, State and Federal regulations and standard operating procedures related to livestock, meat, or poultry industries. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, livestock business management, livestock marketing and trade, agriculture data analytics, agriculture education, animal science, animal or livestock nutrition, poultry science, farm and ranch management, food processing, food systems, food science, or other closely related agricultural field. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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: Independently working with financial or trade practices in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Assisting with minimal oversight in conducting investigations or technical research in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Independently researching, interpreting, and applying Local, State and Federal regulations and standard operating procedures in the livestock, meat or poultry industries. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in agriculture, agriculture economics, agricultural business, livestock business management, livestock marketing and trade, agriculture data analytics, agriculture education, animal science, animal or livestock nutrition, poultry science, farm and ranch management, food processing, food systems, food science, or other closely related agricultural field. OR LL.M., if related. 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: Overseeing and remedying the work of others related to financial or trade practices in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Independently conducting investigations or technical research in livestock, meat or poultry industries. Providing guidance to others as an authority in researching, interpreting, and applying Local, State and Federal regulations and standard operating procedures in the livestock, meat or poultry industries. Note: There is no education substitution 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-07/09/11 GRADE LEVELS: 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.

In this position you will serve as an Export Certifying Officer responsible for performing highly technical skills to ensure the continuity export certification systems, leverage program data and information assets, improve quality controls of the export certification program, and serves as a liaison between the work unit, Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), and foreign governments officials on issues regarding detainments and non-tariff barriers to trade. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Develops and provides substantive contributions to program and trade development to facilitate change to implement department, agency, and program policies. Represents the Agency with other organizations and Federal agencies in negotiations involving bilateral agreements. Executes complex foreign registrations relating to listing dairy facilities with foreign trading partners. Translates operational feedback into technical requirements for IT. Facilitates development of procedures and guidelines for headquarters and field offices in carrying out assigned administrative areas. Prepares management reports, briefing materials, discussion papers, and procedures on highly complex dairy related issues. 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-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: Establishes and implements program objectives for dairy exports, reviews export certificates for compliance with policy and foreign requirements, instructs field personnel on export regulations and updates, and ensures consistent application of these requirements. Provides technical support for dairy export certification by interpreting foreign import requirements, collaborating with internal and external customers to ensure compliance, and verifying and auditing processes to maintain the legitimacy and authenticity of certification documents. Issues timely, cost-effective, and accurate export documentation for dairy-based products, and interacts with customers to address inquiries, concerns, and requests regarding Dairy Export Certification and Registration services. 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.