Agricultural Commodity Grader (Dairy)
What you'd do
Serves as an Agricultural Commodity Grader responsible primarily for conducting plant survey inspections of dairy processing plants by evaluating plant premises, equipment, operations and products to determine compliance with official specifications/requirements and eligibility for official plant approval status. Performs verification audits according to established procedures and will also perform grading and inspection of dairy food products.
Major duties
The duties may include, but are not limited to: Plans, schedules, conducts, and reports the results of verification audits according to established procedures. The audits may require interpretation of complex quality system documentation as it relates to generic or program specific standards. Conducts a methodical check and evaluation of facilities, processing equipment, processing and packaging methods, sanitation procedures, and quality improvement program at dairy plants. Prepares detailed inspection reports covering a large number of carefully examined items in each inspection to determine plant compliance with the specifications and overall program requirements. Meets with plant management to explain plant evaluation findings and makes recommendations for correction of conditions that are not in compliance with specifications. Selects representative samples of product for test weighing and for container and product quality examination, and prepares samples for transmittal to designated laboratory analysis. Determines the final U.S. Grade according to official Grade Standards for each lot and unit thereof, and prepares graders' memoranda, sampling reports and/or official certificates for product,
What you need to qualify
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-10 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: Inspect products for compliance with all types of contract specifications, to recognize all product defects. Make, explain, or defend nearly all inspection determinations, only rarely requiring technical assistance in borderline cases. Inspect or evaluate complicated processing equipment and procedures, and conditions of storage or transportation, such as is typical of most dairy products production and advising industry employees on product quality control methods. OR OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in Dairy Science, Food Science, Animal Science, Biology, Microbiology, Agriculture, Life Sciences, or related fields. 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-10 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
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
Don't miss the next one.
Get an email the moment a similar federal job opens — postings can close in as little as 5 days.