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Agricultural Commodity Grader (Dairy) (Training Officer)

Department of Agriculture
Agricultural Marketing Service
Marketing and Regulatory Programs

Summary

In this position you will serve as staff assistant to the National Field Director and as such perform a variety of program technical and administrative duties, such as, development, coordination and and implementation of Dairy Program Grading Branch training activities, specifically related to auditing functions and the preparation of special reports and projects.

Overview

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Accepting applications
Open & closing dates
02/11/2026 to 02/18/2026
Salary
$74,678 to - $121,371 per year
Pay scale & grade
GS 11
Locations
1 vacancy in the following locations:
Merced, CA
Visalia, CA
Mountain Home, ID
Naperville, IL
Remote job
No
Telework eligible
No
Travel Required
50% or less - You may be expected to travel for this position.
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Appointment type
Permanent
Work schedule
Full-time
Service
Competitive
Promotion potential
11
Supervisory status
No
Security clearance
Not Required
Drug test
No
Position sensitivity and risk
Non-sensitive (NS)/Low Risk
Trust determination process
Financial disclosure
No
Bargaining unit status
No
Announcement number
MP-12880626-26-DY
Control number
857056400

This job is open to

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Clarification from the agency

Applications will be accepted only from current permanent AMS Dairy Program employees with competitive status and CTAP/RPL eligible candidates.

Duties

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  • The duties may include, but are not limited to:
  • Reviews the results of plant survey reports, program reviews and other management reports to identify areas in which training is needed.
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in dairy product grading, changes in standards, new or revised instructions or procedures, and new equipment and processes to ensure up-to-date training.
  • Consults with first-line supervisors and Dairy Grading Branch management officials including Program Coordinators to determine, and coordinate the training needs of individual employees.
  • Develops basic training courses and practical exercises (such as grading clinics) including course content, method of instruction, course objectives, and method of evaluating performance.
  • Develops basic training materials; keeps training materials up-to-date, reflecting new or revised practices or procedures; maintains training material in electronic file or library.
  • Consults with training coordinators in other programs and at the Agency level in developing training materials and methods.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

  • You must be a US Citizen or US National.
  • Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
  • Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
  • May be required to successfully complete a probationary period.
  • Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
  • Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
  • Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
  • Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application.
  • All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

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-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:

  • Coordinating with first-line supervisors, reviews program to identify training needs and requirements.
  • Coordinating, organizing, leading, and executing document reviews for compliance with applicable requirements.
  • Performing grading and inspection of products for compliance with contract specifications, to recognize all product defects.
OR. Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Agriculture, Business, Economics, Public Policy Agriculture, Science. Biology, Dairy Science, Dairy Processing, Animal Science, Food Science, Food Processing, or related fields. OR Three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree 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.

Education

This job does not have an education qualification 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 8 5 out of a possible 100.
  • 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.
  • First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
  • Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Your application will be reviewed to determine if you meet minimum qualification requirements. Your resume must address experience and education relevant to this position. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification will be referred to the hiring manager 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 you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

To preview the application questionnaire, please visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12880626

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