Summary Agricultural Marketing Service's Specialty Crops Inspection 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. The incumbent serves as a senior grader at an inspection point, processing facility or area office lab, which may involve coordinating the work of other inspection personnel. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Selects representative 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. Inspects raw product material to establish the suitability for processing. Conducts various audits and prepares audit reports. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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 and/or inspects fresh and processed fruits, vegetables and related products, including difficult assignments. Performs the full range of grading and/or inspection tasks involved in directly supplying grading services to producers or members of the trade. Inspects products for compliance with all types of contract specifications and recognizes all but the extremely rare product defects or diseases. Makes, explains, or defends nearly all grade and/or inspection determinations, only rarely requiring technical assistance in borderline cases. Inspects or evaluates complicated processing equipment and procedures, and conditions of storage or transportation, such as is typical of most processed products production, and advises industry employees on product quality control procedures. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Business, Science or related field; OR two full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree; 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. 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Worksite Information: This position is located at the duty station(s) listed in this vacancy announcement and is not eligible for telework or remote work.