Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Specialist (Regulatory)

Summary This Division administers the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), which prohibits unfair trade practices in the marketing of fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables in interstate or foreign commerce and the Produce Agency Act (PAA). The position is located in a regional office of the division. 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: Handle complex contractual disputes involved in reparation complaints through correspondence or personal contact with the parties involved. Conduct complex personal investigations and audits of business records. Conduct a range of licensing activities of firms within the region. Update the Division database with information and activities related to complaint, license, violator, and administrative matters. Provide counseling services and advice on the range of program operations/activities to industry members. Advise industry members of their rights/responsibilities/obligation under the various Acts. Appear as official government witness at administrative hearings and court proceedings involving actions brought under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. Adhere to Equal Employment and Civil Rights policies, goals, and objectives in performing the duties of this position. 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-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Reviewing technical documents against program standards. Utilizing written documentation and computer databases to prepare reports and case file information. Ability to interpret grading procedures and U.S. grade standards for a commodity. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. 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). Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Researching laws relating to business structures, bankruptcy, and state regulatory functions. Collecting evidence and developing findings of investigations under license, complaint, disciplinary, and trust provisions. Analyzing evidence and developing findings and recommendations resulting from investigations involving licensing, complaint, disciplinary, and trust provisions. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. 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: Applying business procedures, laws, and regulations, relating to business structures, bankruptcy, and state regulatory functions. Developing regulatory documents to describe, justify, and establish legal requirements. Reviewing, researching, and analyzing industry proposals, economic, or business data. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a field of study directly related to the work of this position as described in the vacancy announcement. OR 3 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. 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-7/9/11 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Additional Information 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 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. 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. 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. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here.