Agricultural Commodity Technician (Grain) -Overview -Open & closing dates 08/22/2018to08/28/2018 -Salary $29,847 to $43,414 per year -Pay scale & grade GS 04 - 05 -Work schedule Intermittent -Appointment type Permanent -Locations 4 vacancies in the following locations: -Jonesboro, AR -Stuttgart, AR -Relocation expenses reimbursed No -Duties -Summary If selected for this position, you will perform sampling, weighing, and analytical and physical testing and assisting in the inspection of rice, pulses, processed grain products and other assigned commodities standardized under the United States Grain Standards Act (USGSA) and Agricultural Marketing Act (AMA). Salary Information:First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. -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: -Ensures accurate weights and accurate determinations of events that support the official weight certification. -Performs visual inspection and mechanical measurements to assist in establishing the kind and/or class and quality of grain/rice/pulses and related commodities to be processed. -Prepares samples for inspection and file sample retention by dividing gross samples of grain/rice/pulses or related commodities to obtain official work and file sample portions. -Monitors grain collected by mechanical (diverter-type) samplers during export loading operations. -Performs the full range of laboratory analytical and physical tests found in assigned field office. -Conducts stowage examinations in shipholds, barges, hopper cars, and other containers to ensure cleanliness and acceptability of storage handling facilities. -Travel Required Occasional travel - Travel for training and work assignments may be required. -Requirements -Conditions of Employment -US Citizenship is required. -Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959 -Valid state driver's license is required at the time of application. -Subject to satisfactory completion of one year probationary period. Special Conditions: -Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation. -Successful completion of a 1 year probationary or trial period (if new hire to the Federal service). -Locality pay will vary based upon the selectees duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. -Employee is responsible for his or her own transportation to and from assigned points of inspection and may be required to operate a motor vehicle on official business. -Due to the nature of the industry, the technician will work a variety of shifts at all points of inspection within the circuit serviced by the field or sub office. -As a condition for promotion to the GS-6 full performance level, the incumbent must pass the Agency administered proficiency examination. -Intermittent Work Schedule: Majority of work will be on an as needed (intermittent) basis. May work part time or full time occasionally, but no minimum amount of hours is guaranteed. -Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified by grade level. FOR THE GS-04 LEVEL: Applicants must have 6 months of general experience and 6 months of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-03 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: -Industrial activities such as quality control, inspection, production, storage, and transportation that demonstrated a knowledge of the flow of work or a knowledge of the relationships of various functions in the facility. -Aiding in the inspection of the applicable commodity. -Food products laboratory or quality control work. -Experience that shows knowledge of the industry procedures within the applicable commodity, e.g. grain weighing and handling procedures for Grain Commodity position, or food processing operations in a modern establishment for Fruit and Vegetable Commodity positions. ORSuccessful completion of 2 academic years of study above high school. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL:Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-04 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: -Industrial activities such as quality control, inspection, production, storage, and transportation that demonstrated a knowledge of the flow of work or a knowledge of the relationships of various functions in the facility. -Aiding in the inspection of the applicable commodity. -Food products laboratory or quality control work. -Experience that shows knowledge of the industry procedures within the applicable commodity, e.g. grain weighing and handling procedures for Grain Commodity position, or food processing operations in a modern establishment for Fruit and Vegetable Commodity positions. ORSuccessful completion of a full 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. TRANSCRIPTSare 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-04/05 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. To learn more about combining education and experience for this series, click the following: -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. -Education Please see above for education qualification information. -Additional information -Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible see -. 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 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/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100 -Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDAs 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. -It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial difficulties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: -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 Managements (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: -Knowledge of grain weighing activities, equipments, and processes -Ability to inspect and conduct measurements of grain/rice/pulses and related commodities -Ability to obtain and document samples of grain/rice/pulses and related commodities and identifying factors impacting their condition -Knowledge of physical and chemical testing methods, equipment, instruments, and procedures used in analyzing grain, rice, and related commodities -Ability to conduct stowage inspections for grain/rice/pulses and other agricultural commodities -Communication skills: written, oral, and interpersonal 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. To view the application form, visit: -Required Documents 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. -Resumethat 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 TranscriptsIf education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. 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. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the education was evaluated by a credential evaluation service as being equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit -. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. -DD-214 (Member 4 Copy)If claiming veterans 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. Veterans preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veterans preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted. -If claiming 10-point veterans preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans preference see -CTAP/ICTAP Documentation:Reduction-In-Force: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from. -Worker's Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50. -Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. 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: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from -. 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. -Benefits 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. -.