Summary The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), Specialty Crops Inspection (SCI) Division is responsible for developing U.S. grade standards and providing inspection, grading, certification, and audit-based services nation-wide on a user-fee basis for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables and related products. The Assistant Officer-in-Charge shares with the Officer-in-Charge the responsibility for carrying out Division programs and supervising office activities and personnel. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides administrative and technical supervision to all personnel assigned to the office, including supervisors, trainers, office staff and graders in field assignments. Supervises the sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables for quality, condition and grade in accordance with official standards, market orders and regulations 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 a direct link between inspection personnel in his/her area and the OIC. Receives and resolves complaints of subordinates. Holds corrective counseling sessions and effects disciplinary measures of a minor nature. Resolves complaints from the industry on grade determinations made by subordinate graders. Collaborates with SCI Division Standardization Branch in the development and testing of grade standards and inspection aids for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Directs the charges made for work performed with necessary follow through to ensure accurate collections and maintenance of records. 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-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Provision of technical guidance to personnel regarding sampling, inspection and certification of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Skill in independently, consistently, and accurately applying grade standards, purchase specifications, and/or inspection regulations in making borderline determinations. Ability to communicate logically and concisely in both oral and written form when rendering decisions and/or interacting with management, employees, and industry. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree 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. 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. 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 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. Worksite Information: This position is located at the duty station(s) listed in this vacancy announcement and is not eligible for telework or remote work. The work environment includes time in a typical office setting, processing and/or packing facilities and warehouses. Travel to training sessions and meetings and to conduct reviews of inspection operations at in- plant or in-house assignments, inspections or reviews, and other assigned duties at various Division and Federal-State work sites is required. May require working on weekends and overtime; traveling for extended periods of time; and working multiple shifts.