If selected for this position you would be responsible for planning, developing and providing training in grading and inspecting fruits, vegetables and related products, and in workplace safety.
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-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: Providing general and/or technical information on fresh and/or processed grade standards or inspection services. Provides training to graders in their particular specialty. Recommending maintenance of instruction programs and materials. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Business, Science or 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-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 may include, but are not limited to:
Instructs graders, technicians, and aids regarding proper inspection, grading, auditing procedures, techniques, defect identification, defect scoring, and documentation of inspection results.
Collects and analyzes information from Agricultural Commodity Graders to identify areas to be addressed to ensure uniform and accurate training, and the effective delivery of services.
Uses knowledge of day-to-day operations, including grading of fruits and vegetables; and knowledge in training principles and practices, training, formal classroom instruction and adult learning.
Assists the Training and Development Branch in providing training to Division employees and/or other customers.
Assists with the evaluation of training needs for and/or the inspection performance of individual Agricultural Commodity Graders.
Reviews new and revised U.S. grade standards for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, Commercial Item Descriptions, USDA purchase specifications, and State specifications.
May serve as Safety Officer or Assistant Safety Officer for the Region.