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Summary If selected for this position you would be responsible for planning, developing and providing training in grading and inspecting fruits, vegetables and related products, and in workplace safety. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Instructs graders, technicians, and aids regarding proper inspection, grading, auditing procedures, techniques, defect identification, defect scoring, and documentation of inspection results. Collects and analyzes information from Agricultural Commodity Graders to identify areas to be addressed to ensure uniform and accurate training, and the effective delivery of services. Uses knowledge of day-to-day operations, including grading of fruits and vegetables; and knowledge in training principles and practices, training, formal classroom instruction and adult learning. Assists the Training and Development Branch in providing training to Division employees and/or other customers. Assists with the evaluation of training needs for and/or the inspection performance of individual Agricultural Commodity Graders. Reviews new and revised U.S. grade standards for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, Commercial Item Descriptions, USDA purchase specifications, and State specifications. May serve as Safety Officer or Assistant Safety Officer for the Region. 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 general and/or technical information on fresh and/or processed grade standards or inspection services. Provides training to graders in their particular specialty. Recommending maintenance of instruction programs and materials. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, Business, Science or related field. OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education 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 There is no education requirement. 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. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. 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. The work requires periods of physical exertion to lift and move boxes, cartons and heavy packages of product (often weighing over 50 pounds). Prolonged periods of standing, walking, stooping, bending, and climbing; physical coordination and finger dexterity in at least one hand to perform digital examinations of commodities. Normal or corrected vision in at least one eye for distance, depth perception, and color to detect abnormalities in product; the ability to assure safety in a highly-mechanized and/or noisy environment through adequate or correctable hearing. The work environment includes exposure to freezing and/or hot temperatures, fumes, dust and odors from coolants, slippery surfaces, moving materials, handling equipment, high noise level and similar risks.