Agricultural Commodity Grader (Grain) (Quality Assurance Specialist)

Full Job Description

You will serve as a Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader (Grain) - Quality Assurance Specialist, supervising inspection and weighing activities for assigned shifts at an export elevator.

Work assignments are rotated among shifts and elevators within the commuting area.

The incumbent is also responsible for carrying out the field office quality assurance program with respect to grading activities.

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: Knowledge of the specific element of product processing, transportation, storage, or conditions that affect the grain, rice and/or grain products' grade, acceptability, and quality.

Applying the procedures, techniques and methods required to determine the grain/rice/grain products' acceptability or grade, and skill in performing various types of inspections.

Establishing, maintaining, and developing effective interpersonal relationships with employees, operating supervisors, and managers of the grain/rice/grain products processing firms and facilities.

OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, or related subjects.

OR 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree OR LL.M., if directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement.

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. Major Duties:

• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Plans, directs, and coordinates day-to-day assignments of Federal personnel engaged in weighing, grading, testing, sampling, and certifying grain, rice, and related agricultural commodities.
• Coordinates the day-to-day supervision of FGIS graders, weighers, and samplers; provides technical on-the-job instructions in weighing, grading, and sampling methods.
• Based on experience and studies made in the circuit, recommends changes and revisions in weighing procedures, official standards, and specifications.
• Deals directly with industry representatives to resolve problems that occur in inspection, weighing, safety, billing, personnel, staffing, workloads, and other areas where problems may develop.
• As assigned, performs special projects to investigate weighing, sampling, testing, and grading methods and techniques on new or modified equipment and submits reports and recommendations of findings.
• The incumbent directs and supervises the handling of appeals under the U.S. Grain Standards Act of 1976 and the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946.