Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader (Specialty Crops) (Officer-in-Charge)

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-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying grading standards and/or inspection regulations to make difficult, controversial, and borderline determinations and to recognize and identify commodity defects and diseases. Serving as technical expert performing final grading on reviews, making appeal determinations, resolving controversies, or providing broad technical guidance on difficult and controversial grading inspection problems. Providing oversight, direction and coordination to operational activities. Providing technical supervision to personnel regarding sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and specialty crops. Developing new initiatives and processes when programs change. Reviewing and directing the work of self and others. Communicating logically and concisely in both oral and written form when rendering decisions and/or interacting with management, employees and industry. Note: There is no education substitution for this 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.
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 incumbent serves as the OIC and carries out Division programs including grading, inspection, certification, and audit based activities and supervising office activities and personnel.