Supervisory Agricultural Commodity Grader (Officer-in-Charge)

The incumbent serves as the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) at a Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division area office and has the responsibility for carrying out SCI Division programs, including grading, inspection, certification, and audit-based activities covering fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products; and supervising office activities and personnel.

Major duties

• 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:
• Assists in the establishment of performance standards of subordinates and evaluates their performance.
• Plans work of subordinates, including supervisors, by reviewing area operations in light of changing workloads, types of inspection, volume of work, priority of requests, and other factors.
• Provides information to appropriate Division management regarding major complaints and actions.
• Conducts orientation training, commodity workshops, and refresher training sessions.
• Discusses work-related issues with subordinates and refers those of unusual difficulty to the Regional Branch Chief/Assistant Branch Chief.
• Resolves complaints from the industry on grade determinations made by subordinate graders.

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-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience assisting in the application of grading standards and inspection regulations. Experience supporting advanced technical grading functions such as final reviews, appeal decisions, resolving controversies, and providing guidance on difficult inspection issues. Experience assisting in supervising inspection staff, developing new program processes, and reviewing or directing work to support program changes. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Independently applied grading standards to make determinations and identify rare defects or diseases. Served as a technical expert by performing final grading reviews, appeal decisions, and resolving complex inspection issues. Provided operational oversight and communicated decisions clearly with management, employees, and industry. Note: There is no education substitution for this 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 position does not have an education qualification requirement.