Summary The Dairy Products Marketing Specialist functions as an expert, studying Standardization Branch programs; evaluating information; and developing, writing, and recommending changes dealing with national and international standards, specifications, and quality improvement programs for milk and dairy products. Including performing tasks related to policy analysis, program development, communication strategies, and internal reviews. 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: Conducts studies of the programs relating to domestic standards, specifications, and quality improvement of milk and dairy products. Develops and conducts necessary field tests and other investigations relating to plant practices and facilities, such as manufacturing, packaging, transporting, and storing of dairy products. Serves as a technical expert, providing information to the Grading Branch field office, Federal and State government representatives, and members of the dairy industry. Develops written products that articulate, interpret, and explain highly complex, potentially controversial, and important agency assessments, analyses, policies, programs, and other findings. Performs an array of research-oriented activities to enhance written products, including consulting with program officials, agency business experts, government, and industry technology experts. Develops, revises, and promulgates Dairy Standards, Specifications, and the USDA General Specifications for Approved Dairy Plants that provide the foundation for other Dairy Grading Branch Services. Serves as a project manager for various program activities directly or indirectly involving Dairy Standardization programs. Prepares outreach materials, including but not limited to: articles, website content, and presentations for use by Dairy Program staff. Represents the Program and AMS with contacts from the public, industry, academia, trade officials and State and Federal groups to exchange technical information regarding dairy standard Requirements Conditions of Employment 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-9 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Organizing and planning of one or more programs, providing information, or taking action concerning the development or revision of dairy standards. Preparing written reports and/or correspondence relating to technical duties and activities. Writing user instructions and/or guidance materials covering technical dairy subjects such as writing grading/inspection procedures and/or instructions. Developing dairy standard operating procedures and work instructions as part of a quality management system. OR 3 years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in courses relating to each individual basic requirement per job series. 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 FOR THE GS-12 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: Organizing and planning of one or more programs, providing information, or taking action concerning the development or revision of dairy standards. Composing formal correspondence dealing with Dairy technical and/or non-technical information. Producing written reports to communicate study or evaluation findings and recommendations to management in order to facilitate program improvements. Developing written outreach and public information materials. Interpreting and implementation of quality management systems. Conducting research related to domestic and international dairy product standards and dairy food manufacturing processes. 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: Organizing and planning of one or more programs, providing information, or taking action concerning the development or revision of dairy standards. Writing correspondence such as drafting in final form, Instruction Memoranda, procedures for national use, briefing papers or documentation such as organizational reports, position papers, or responses to agency or department inquiries for senior level management's review. Independently developing quality management system policy documents, manuals and other overall guidance documents. Understanding and communicating technical and scientifically based dairy food science information and incorporating that information into strategic, policy-oriented documents. Experience advising industry representatives on how to comply with domestic or international dairy standards. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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 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. 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. Worksite Information: This is a 100% remote position that must be located within the continental United States. The duty station for a remote designation is the selectee's home and must be established within the defined geographic options prior to start date. The selectee is not required to regularly work from a government facility however, the option may be available.