Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Specialist (Regulatory)

This Fruit and Vegetable Marketing Specialist (Regulatory) position is with Agricultural Marketing Service (Department of Agriculture) in Tucson, AZ. 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. Key duties: • 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. 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. View the full announcement and apply on USAJOBS.gov.