Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader (Sub-Area Supervisor)

Summary The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), 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. The Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader shares fully with the Officer in Charge (OIC) and Assistant Officer in Charge (AOIC), the responsibility for carrying out Division programs. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Assist the OIC and AOIC in the administrative and technical supervision of all personnel in the assigned area. Supervise the sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products for quality, condition and grade in accordance with official standards. Assign subordinate personnel to perform services and coordinate the work in such a manner as to provide prompt, efficient, and timely service to meet customer needs. Assist in the establishment of performance standards of subordinates and evaluates their performance. Receive and resolve complaints of subordinates and hold corrective counseling sessions and effect disciplinary measures of a minor nature. Assist with developing plans for overall area operations and recommendations regarding the inspection service and the adoption or modification of policies and procedures. Collaborate with Division Standardization Branch in the development and testing of grade standards and inspection aids for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Direct the preparation and issuance of certificates covering inspection services. Determine work programs, methods, and procedures to be employed to assure uniformity of inspection on the basis of official standards. 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-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: Providing technical guidance to personnel regarding sampling, inspection, and certification of fresh and/or processed fruits and vegetables. Independently, consistently, and accurately apply grade standards, purchase specifications, and/or inspection regulations in making borderline determinations. Communicate logically and concisely in both oral and written form when rendering decisions and/or interacting with management, employees, and industry. OR: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in agriculture, botany, crop production, agronomy, product processing, food chemistry, technology, or quality control. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education in agriculture, botany, crop production, agronomy, product processing, food chemistry, technology, or quality control leading to such a degree. OR LL.M., 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-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. 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. 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. This position is only open to AMS Specialty Crops Program employees, CTAP or RPL eligible candidates. Travel to training sessions and meetings and to conduct reviews of inspection operations at in- plant or in-house assignments, inspections or reviews, and other assigned duties at various Division and Federal-State work sites is required. The work is often conducted around moving equipment such as forklifts and trucks. The work environment further requires working in close proximity to others and/or alone; and operating a motor vehicle via a valid driver's license.