Agricultural Commodity Grader (Specialty Crops)

Full Job Description

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

You may perform audit verifications on the production and processes at warehouses, railroad sidings, packing plants, ports of entry, primary production operations, farms and similar facilities.

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-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: Independently grades or inspects a variety of vegetables, fruits, and related products Evaluates products to determine conformance with contract specifications Makes, explains, or defends nearly all grade and/or inspection determinations OR Education: Must have a master's or equivalent graduate degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Business, Science or related field; or two full years (36 semester hours) of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree.

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-09 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:
• Selects samples from product lots of fresh fruits and vegetables 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 inspection reports based on examination of product.
• Draws and examines samples of the finished products of processed fruits and vegetables and determines grade, condition and wholesomeness.
• Makes observations to determine if plant facilities, operating methods, processing equipment and personnel are in compliance with sanitation requirements and regulations.
• Coordinates activities, schedules and work assignments for other inspection personnel assigned to the plant.