Agricultural Commodity Grader (Grain) (Quality Assurance Specialist)
What you'd do
The Quality Assurance Specialist (QAS) assists Management in providing technical and administrative direction and supervision of field office employees by managing and coordinating the national and local Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) programs for inspection services at export location and by oversight of agencies performing inspection services through the delegation and/or designation arrangement.
Major duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to: Develop, maintain, and conduct a quality assurance program for the purpose of monitoring and ensuring the accuracy of: interpretive grading determinations mechanical inspection determinations. Makes final decisions on unusual, borderline, and unique grading situations that require further review. identifies training needs, recommends, coordinates, and provides special training and technical direction to ACGs and official agency personnel. Assembles and maintains type samples for interpretive opinions to supplement instructions and procedures contained in inspection manuals. Communicates with the Standard and Procedures Branch regarding situations not covered under current standards or regulations and assists in updating policies. To stay updated on varying crop conditions and to foresee potential grading problems, the QAS collects information from extension agents, farmers, trade groups, and other resources. investigates and troubleshoots quality complaints pertaining to the inspection results obtained from the intermarket barge-tracking program, rail tracking, and through other sources.
What you need to qualify
Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. 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: Conducting official grain grading work in accordance with standards established under the U.S. Grain Standards Act. Developing, maintaining, or conducting quality assurance programs to monitor and ensure the accuracy of grading determinations for grain, pulses, rice, or related commodities. Providing technical guidance, training, or oversight to inspectors or graders in the interpretation and application of official standards, regulations, and inspection procedures OR .Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in Agriculture, Ag Business, Agronomy, Soil Crop Sciences, Resource Economics, or other related Agricultural degrees. 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.
Before you apply
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