Within the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) monitors the activities of the livestock and poultry industry by conducting regulatory compliance reviews and investigations to determine whether subject persons and firms are complying with the Packers and Stockyards Act and regulations. You will be responsible for reviewing, analyzing, and evaluating documents pertaining to investigations of potential violators of the Act.
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-9 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-7 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience reviewing documentation within the livestock, meat, or poultry industries to identify, prevent, or correct unfair practices. Utilizing comprehensive verbal and written communications to obtain additional information from trade entities. Using computer programs and databases to search and confirm the accuracy of documentation received and resolve discrepancies. Understanding of livestock, vehicle, and monorail scales, scale testing requirements, and proper scale testing procedures. OR master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in accounting, animal science, agricultural business, agricultural economics, food processing, commerce, transportation, marketing, or closely related field. OR; LL.M., 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-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience reviewing documentation within the livestock, meat, or poultry industries to identify, prevent, or correct unfair practices. Utilizing comprehensive verbal and written communications to obtain additional information from trade entities. Using computer programs and databases to search to confirm the accuracy of the information and resolves discrepancies. Experience working closely with teams to prepare work plans and investigate trade entities. Experience working with scales, scale testing requirements, and proper scale testing procedures. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in accounting, animal science, agricultural business, agricultural economics, food processing, commerce, transportation, marketing, or closely related field. 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. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-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.
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:
Assembling evidence for use in administrative or court proceedings that pertain to allegations of violations.
Reviews all scale test reports received in the regional office to determine regulatory accuracy and completeness of forms.
Prepares notices of violations/default for scale violations, including those for failing to submit the required scales tests.
Assisting the investigation of persons or firms to determine if their operations are in conformity with regulations by reviewing and preparing documents and identifying discrepancies.
Serves as the primary or alternate staff member responsible for updating the swine contract library, by receiving, reviewing and categorizing contracts and working with IT to ensure functionality.
Recommends the development of appropriate measures for handling on day-to-day basis complaints by producers or other industry members.
Conducts investigations into circumstances surrounding transactions to determine if a complaint is valid.