The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs.
Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. The program lasts for 1 year and includes:
Orientation program
Mentorship throughout the program.
Individual Development Plan to create and track Recent Graduates' career planning, professional development, and training activities.
At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program.
Opportunity for career advancement
Upon successful completion of program requirements, the incumbent may be converted to a term, career, or career conditional position.
The Livestock, Poultry, and Seed (LPS) 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; purchase specifications and requirements for meat, eggs, poultry, and fish procured for Federal food and nutrition programs; market news reporting for livestock, meat, eggs, poultry, wool, and grain products; standardization services for wool, mohair, livestock, meat, eggs, poultry and related products; monitoring and analyzing scientific research and information for their applicability to the programs administered by the LPS Program; and administering the country of origin labeling statute.
Salary Information: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
Summary
The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs.
Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. The program lasts for 1 year and includes:
Orientation program
Mentorship throughout the program.
Individual Development Plan to create and track Recent Graduates' career planning, professional development, and training activities.
At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program.
Opportunity for career advancement
Upon successful completion of program requirements, the incumbent may be converted to a term, career, or career conditional position.
The Livestock, Poultry, and Seed (LPS) 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; purchase specifications and requirements for meat, eggs, poultry, and fish procured for Federal food and nutrition programs; market news reporting for livestock, meat, eggs, poultry, wool, and grain products; standardization services for wool, mohair, livestock, meat, eggs, poultry and related products; monitoring and analyzing scientific research and information for their applicability to the programs administered by the LPS Program; and administering the country of origin labeling statute.
Salary Information: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
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:
Acts as officially designated contact and maintains relations with plant management and employees explaining decisions, obtaining corrections in sanitation, processing, or storage conditions; explaining grading program activities; and coordinating the grading/inspection activities with plant activities.
May examine product to determine conformance with approved contract specifications, such as; grade, weight, packaging and packing, and quantity for various types of contracts. Prepares and issues certificates as required.
Monitors the plant and processing operations to assure that the plant remains in compliance with regulations with respect to operating procedures and, in shell egg plants, to assure that facilities and equipment are maintained in a sanitary condition.
May perform audits or reviews to assure compliance with the Child Nutrition labeling program, Alternative Reprocessing Program (ARC), or a customer developed Performance-Based Grading Program.
In shell egg plants, assures only approved chemicals, insecticides, and rodenticides are used; the product is labeled only with approved labels; and inedible product is appropriately identified and controlled.
Prepares and maintains a variety of reports and records related to work such as plant production data, grading results, certificates issued and administrative information
Grades whole turkeys, chickens, ducks, geese or other poultry, and/or other parts, considering such factors as class, fleshing, finish, freedom from defects, age, weight, and other conditions. Applies the official standards and regulations to determine the product's grade based upon grading results. May perform destination examinations of poultry products.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
US Citizenship is required.
Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959.
Special Conditions
Transcripts including the date your degree was conferred are required. Applications will not be considered without this documentation.
DD214 (Member 4 copy) or other veterans’ documents required to receive veterans’ preference and/or to document eligibility for individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying
If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entrance on duty
Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation.
Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or examination.
A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. The agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty.
Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign and return a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to this office acknowledging and accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will be grounds for withdrawal of the job offer.
Commodity grading work requires periods of physical exertion to lift and move boxes and cartons 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 for poultry grading assignments and two hands for shell egg assignments to perform digital examinations of eggs; ability to detect abnormalities in the commodity through normal or corrected vision in at least one eye for distance, depth perception, and color; and the ability to assure safety in a highly mechanized noisy environment through adequate or correctable hearing; and the ability to determine product qualities through smell.
The work environment is in a poultry or shell egg plant and involves moderate discomforts and risks such as the cold temperatures and freezer storage areas, the presence of processing equipment, moving carts and forklifts, and wet slippery floors.
Qualifications
To qualify, you MUST meet all qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement.
RECENT GRADUATES PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible for the Recent Graduates program, applicants must meet one of the following requirements;
Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2)years. Current students who will complete their degree requirements by 5/31/2017 will also be considered. OR
Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met.
IN ADDITION TO MEETING THE ELIGIBILITY LISTED ABOVE: Applicants must meet the following specialized experience and/or education requirements listed below:
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-05 GRADE LEVEL: 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), that demonstrates the ability to:
Analyze problems to identify significant factors, gather pertinent data and recognize solutions.
Experience must provide evidence of the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the duties of this position and show decision making responsibilities;
Communicate effectively orally and in writing. Such experience may have been gained in quality assurance, food processing, some farm experience, and/or technical, administrative work.
General clerical experience (typing, filing, routine processing, or other non-specialized repetitive tasks) is not creditable.
OR Four-year course of study leading to a bachelors degree.
Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level.
SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:
Specialized experience is that which has been gained in production, quality control, inspection (if such experience involves quality determination), research or receiving of agricultural commodities which involves making quality determinations using an applicable grading standard. Experience may have been gained in chain stores, military, or manufacturing.
OR One full year of graduate level education in a related field of study, such as agriculture, mathematics, engineering, science, business, or economics.
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 must meet certain GPA requirements. For more details click: Superior Academic Achievement
Transcripts are required and your transcripts must show the date your degree was conferred, or your in progress Spring 2017 courses with cumulative credit information. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application, however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty.
All academic degrees or course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see
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 an applicant for that grade level. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: Combining Education and Experience for Administrative and Management Positions 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, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Additional information
More than one selection may be made if another vacancy occurs within 90 days of the issuance of the certification of eligibles.
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
Direct Deposit – Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing.
E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS 'E-VERIFY' system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Applications will be evaluated in accordance with Office of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating. The category rating procedure is used to rank and select eligible candidates. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veterans preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined on applicants' quality of experience and the extend they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies:
General Commodity Inspection and Grading Skills
Communication Skills
Decision Making, Leadership, Supervisory and Project/Program Management
Poultry Grading
Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting official for consideration.
Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal Service.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience including the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 5) supervisors phone number for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and, 6) other qualifications.
College Transcripts showing the date your degree was conferred, or your in progress Spring 2017 courses with cumalative credit information are required. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
DD-214(Member 4 Copy) If claiming veteran’s preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions that is signed no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veteran’s preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran’s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin. The following instructions outline our application process.
You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact us if you are requesting this.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.
Step 2: Create a resume with USAJOBS or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).
Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application” to continue.
NOTE: Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Once in the Agency's staffing system you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).
USDA APHIS MRPBS
100 N 6th St, Bulter Sq Bldg, Suite 510C
Minneapolis, MN, 55403
United States
Next steps
If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, you will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. If you choose not to set up automatic email notifications, you must check your USAJOBS account for the latest status of your application. Your application may be reviewed to verify that you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the position prior to issuing lists to a selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We expect to make a final job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
The following documents are required for your application to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.
Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information; 3) education; 4) work experience including the work schedule and hours worked per week as well as dates of employment; and title, series and grade if applicable; 5) supervisors phone number for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and, 6) other qualifications.
College Transcripts showing the date your degree was conferred, or your in progress Spring 2017 courses with cumalative credit information are required. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
DD-214(Member 4 Copy) If claiming veteran’s preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions that is signed no later than 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veteran’s preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran’s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources Office. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's staffing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin. The following instructions outline our application process.
You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement.
We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our office during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing.
This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact us if you are requesting this.
Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not have one) at www.usajobs.gov. It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic email notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application.
Step 2: Create a resume with USAJOBS or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement).
Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application” to continue.
NOTE: Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's staffing system. Once in the Agency's staffing system you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX).
USDA APHIS MRPBS
100 N 6th St, Bulter Sq Bldg, Suite 510C
Minneapolis, MN, 55403
United States
Next steps
If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic email notifications, you will receive an email acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting official for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. If you choose not to set up automatic email notifications, you must check your USAJOBS account for the latest status of your application. Your application may be reviewed to verify that you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the position prior to issuing lists to a selecting official. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We expect to make a final job offer within 40 days after the closing date of the announcement.
Fair and transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
