Agricultural Commodity Grader (Specialty Crops)

Full Job Description

The Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division is responsible for developing U.S.

grade standards and providing inspection, grading, certification, and audit-based services nation-wide on a user-fee basis for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products.

In this position, you will serve as a grader at an inspection point, processing facility or area office lab, which may involve coordinating the work of other inspection personnel.

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-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have three years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service (equivalent to the GS-04 level) (experience may have been obtained in private or public sectors), that demonstrates the ability to: Identify problems, gather pertinent data, or recognize solutions.

Plan and organize work. Utilize office software such as: Adobe, Excel, Word. Experience must provide evidence of the skills shown above.

General clerical experience (typing, filing, routine processing, or other non-specialized repetitive tasks) is not creditable.

OR Successfully completed a 4-year course of study, from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's degree.

Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Grading or inspecting product utilizing grading standards and regulations.

Draws samples of product. Identifies and describes common product defects and/or diseases.

OR 1 full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, or related closely 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).Note: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.

Note: 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-05, 07 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:
• Selects representative samples from the product lots in accordance with prescribed sampling and plans.
• Inspects products to determine the quality, condition, and/or compliance with U.S. Grade Standards or stated contract specifications.
• Prepares and maintains a variety of reports related to production data and grading results.
• Applies the official standards and regulations to determine the product’s grade and/or condition and directly issues the certificate.
• Draws and examines representative samples of products and determines grade, condition and wholesomeness in accordance with official grade standards, buyer-seller contracts or other specifications.
• Makes observations to determine if plant facilities, operating methods, processing equipment and personnel are in compliance with SCI sanitation requirements and FDA regulations.