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Summary 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. Responsibilities 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. 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 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. Education There is no education requirement. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, 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 10 Commodity grading 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 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 typical of fruit and vegetable and related processing plants, storage areas and terminal markets. May be required to work on weekends and overtime; traveling for extended periods of time; working multiple shifts and changing/rotating shifts (i.e., first, second and third);