The Grading Branch offers a number of inspection and grading services on a voluntary, user fee basis that help provide the assurance of wholesome and high-quality milk and dairy products. The incumbent serves as an Agricultural Commodity Grader (Dairy) with the primary responsibility of performing verification audits according to established procedures. The incumbent is also responsible for grading and inspecting dairy food products and conducting plant survey inspections.
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. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have three years of general experience, 1 year of which was equivalent to at least GS-4 that demonstrates: Analyzing information to identify issues, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions. Planning and organize work. Communicating effectively orally and in writing. OR 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Knowledge of processing and packaging methods and procedures, plant facilities, equipment, and sanitary procedures. Recognizing, identifying, and describing common product characteristics relevant to the products graded, such as taste, smell, color, shape, or texture, and skill in comparing the characteristics to standards or contract specifications to make consistent determinations. OR 1 full year of graduate level education leading towards a degree in Agriculture, Science, Biology, Dairy Science, Dairy Processing, Animal Science, Food Science, Food Processing, or related. 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). 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: Experience planning, scheduling, and conducting verification audits according to established procedures. Experience making borderline decisions and interpreting complex quality system documentation as it relates to generic or program specific standards. Experience preparing complex inspection reports that cover a large number of carefully examined items. ; OR master's or equivalent graduate degree in the field of Agriculture, Science, Biology, Dairy Science, Dairy Processing, Animal Science, Food Science, Food Processing, or related.??????? or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to leading master's degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, or related field. or LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for these grade levels. 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-5/7/9 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.
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:
Plans, schedules, conducts, and reports the results of verification audits according to established procedures.
Makes borderline decisions and interpret quality system documentation as it relates to generic or program specific standards.
Conducts a methodical check and evaluation of facilities, processing equipment, processing and packaging methods, sanitation procedures, and quality improvement programs.
Prepares detailed inspection reports that cover a large number of carefully examined items in each inspection to determine plant compliance with the specifications and overall program requirements.
Meets with plant management to explain complex, borderline plant evaluation findings and makes recommendations for correction of conditions that are not in compliance.
Selects representative samples of product for test weighing and for container and product quality examination, and prepares samples for transmittal to designated laboratory.
Checks accuracy of scales for weighing and establishes an accurate tare weight of packaging material.
Applies and interprets official standards, contract specifications, and instructions in the inspection or grading of butter, cheese, dry milk and other dairy or related products.