Summary The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Livestock & Poultry (LP) program is responsible for formulating and administering policies for marketing services and regulatory activities related to commodity grading and certification for meat, eggs and poultry. This Open Continuous Announcement (OCA) allows acceptance of applications for six months with eligible applicants being placed on the OCA register and referred for consideration when vacancies occur. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Designated contact with plant management to coordinate the grading/inspection activities. Examine product to determine adherence with contracts, such as grade, weight, packing and quantity. Prepares and maintains a variety of reports related to production data and grading results. Trains selected plant personnel to grade according to U.S. standards. Grades different types of poultry and eggs, by applying official standards and regulations. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications 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-05 LEVEL: General experience: Applicants must have three years of progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service (equivalent to the GS-04 level) (experience may have been obtained in private or public sectors). The experience must demonstrate the ability to: Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data and recognize solutions. Plan and organize work. Communicate effectively orally and in writing. Experience must provide evidence of the skills shown above. General clerical experience (typing, filing, routine processing, or other non-specialized repetitive tasks) is not creditable. OR Applicants must have successfully completed a 4-year course of study, from an accredited college or university, leading to a bachelor's degree. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level). Experience may have been obtained in the private or public sectors (local, county, state, Federal). Specialized experience is defined as: Determine the grade, quality, and/or acceptability of livestock, or food grade product, and/or evaluate the sanitation, refrigeration, other facility procedures of food in production, processing, packing, storage, and/or transportation. This could include weighing, sampling, inspecting, gauging temperature, or ensuring compliance with food grade and/or sanitation regulations in a processing plant, warehouse, livestock operation, food establishment, or similar workplace to determine quality against regulations and/or standards. OR One full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics or a related field. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). 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. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05/07 GRADE LEVELS: 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 educational requirement for this position. Additional Information A recruitment incentive of up to 25% of base pay may be authorized for eligible, candidates. This incentive requires a 2 year service agreement. The service agreement details will be provided prior to the new employees entrance on duty date. Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP candidates must be well qualified, which means having knowledge, skills, abilities, and/or competencies that exceed the minimum qualification requirements for this position. 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. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Eligible AMS-LP employees may be eligible for a referral bonus for this vacancy. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Worksite Information: This position is located at the duty station(s) listed in this vacancy announcement and is not eligible for telework or remote work. This is an open continuous vacancy announcement that will be used to fill vacancies as they occur. To receive consideration for vacancies, applicants must submit complete applications prior to the established cut-off date(s). An initial cut-off will take place on February 7. 2024 to begin initial applicant consideration. Applications received after the initial cut-off date will be considered, if needed. Additional cut-off dates will occur on the following dates: March 6, 2024 April 3, 2024 May 8, 2024 June 5, 2024 July 8, 2024 Candidates who submit a complete application by 11:59 PM Eastern Time (ET) on the cut off dates, will be reviewed and referred if found eligible and qualified for the position. Applicants will be limited to 5 locations. You can update your application at any point during the open period. Please be mindful that updating your application may move it into a different cut-off period. This announcement will remain open until the closing date indicated; however, those who apply after the initial cut-off date will be considered for referral to the hiring manager only if additional vacancies occur and/or the initial referral list is exhausted. Cutoff dates and the closing date of this announcement may be adjusted as needed, and any updates will be reflected on this announcement.