Food Technologist

Agricultural Marketing Service • Blakely, GA

2d

About The Position

The Science and Technology Program (S&T) works to improve the quality, wholesomeness, and marketing of agricultural commodities by overseeing regulatory programs and providing scientific, certification, and analytical services. These programs and services facilitate the domestic and international marketing and trade of U.S. agricultural commodities and products. The Food Technologist interacts with laboratory staff and management to support quality management systems (QMS), monitor quality requirements, investigate trends, coordinate audits and management reviews, maintain defensible records, report findings, and improve the QMS while ensuring mission specifications are met.

Requirements

• Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National.
• If born male after December 31, 1959, be registered with Selective Service or exempt.
• Successfully complete required background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successfully pass E-Verify employment verification.
• Enroll in Continuous Vetting as required for USDA employees.
• Meet applicable time-in-grade requirements: current federal employees applying for promotion must have 52 weeks at the next lower grade in the normal line of progression.
• Meet the basic education requirement: a degree in food technology, dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related biological or physical science field, with specified coursework; alternatively, qualifying equivalent education and experience.
• For GS-11, have one year of specialized experience equivalent to GS-9 administering a quality management system under direction; initiating, investigating, performing root cause analysis, and/or implementing corrective actions with limited supervision; evaluating quality data, validation/verification data, quality practices, and/or quality functions and reporting nonconformities; and maintaining records that ensure data accuracy and defensibility; or have three years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D., or a Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in a related field.
• Provide transcripts when qualifying based on education; education must be completed at an accredited school, college, or university.
• For GS-11 qualification through a combination of education and experience, qualifying percentages must total at least 100 percent.
• Successfully complete a one-year probationary period unless previously served; a probationary and trial period may also be required.

Responsibilities

• Interact with laboratory staff and management to ensure Quality Management Systems are suitable and fit for purpose.
• Monitor operations for adherence to quality plans and requirements.
• Analyze and investigate adverse quality trends or conditions, and initiate and monitor corrective actions.
• Organize and conduct audits and/or management reviews.
• Develop, coordinate, and maintain records to ensure the accuracy and defensibility of operations, data, and decisions.
• Communicate findings to management.
• Coordinate improvements to the QMS while ensuring mission specifications are consistently met.

Benefits

• Federal employees and their families have access to a comprehensive federal benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level