This position is located with the Livestock and Poultry Program, Quality Assessment Division, Grading Services Branch, which is responsible for developing, implementing, and administering programs for the grading, certification, and inspection of QAD commodities. The incumbent typically serves as the sole grader for a shift or assignment; and is responsible for all phases of grading, inspection, and certification activities, including those involving complex or borderline determinations.
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-10 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 grades and/or inspects primary products in the commodity group and performs difficult assignments such as: regularly making borderline grading decisions on a variety of products; or applying the full range of grading skills at an extremely fast pace requiring instant determinations. Performs the full range of grading and/or inspection tasks involved in supplying grading services to producers or members of the trade in the commodity specialization. Inspect or evaluate more complicated processing equipment and procedures, and conditions of storage or transportation and advising industry employees on product quality control methods. Serve as technical expert, performing final grading on reviews, making appeal determinations, resolving controversies, or providing broad technical guidance. Inspect complex formulations, processing procedures, and sanitation conditions in order to generate and review reports, ensure uniform application by staff, and make recommendations for improvement, as needed. 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 duties may include, but are not limited to:
Performs all phases of grading, inspection, and certification activities, including unscheduled fee grading, certification, or verification activities.
Performs duties in a variety of establishments including, but not limited to, poultry processing plants.
Monitors the plant and processing operations to assure that the plant remains in compliance with regulations.
Assigned to provide service in a large geographic area and is subject to TDY assignments or details to different geographical areas.
Maintains relations with plant management and employees.
Prepares and maintains a variety of reports and records.