Agricultural Commodity Grader (Dairy)

Full Job Description

In this position you will serve as an Agricultural Commodity Grader (Dairy) with the primary responsibility of performing verification audits according to established procedures.

You are also responsible for grading and inspecting dairy food products and conducting plant survey inspections of dairy processing plants.

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: Evaluating sanitary procedures such as processing and packaging of commodities, plant facilities, and or equipment.

Recognizing, identifying, and describing common product characteristics relevant to the products graded such as taste, smell, color, shape, or texture. Preparing inspection reports.

OR: 1 full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Science. Biology, Dairy Science, Dairy Processing, Animal Science, Food Science, Food Processing, or related subjects.

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: Inspection of agricultural commodities Inspecting processing equipment and procedures used in the production of agricultural products Conducting plant surveys and providing feedback to plant management.

OR .Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in Agriculture, Science.

Biology, Dairy Science, Dairy Processing, Animal Science, Food Science, Food Processing, or related or LL.B. or J.D., 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-07/09 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. Major Duties:

• 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 interprets quality system documentations 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 program at dairy plants
• 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 with specifications.
• Selects representative samples of product for test weighing and for container and product quality examination, and prepares samples for transmittal to designated laboratory.