Food Technologist (GS-1382) | Agricultural Marketing Service

Food Technologists apply science and technology to food product research, development, improvement, evaluation, production, processing, preservation, and packaging. The work requires knowledge of the biological, physical, and engineering sciences that make possible safe and wholesome food products, equipment capabilities and limitations, and relevant laws, regulations, and agency programs. These duties may involve:

Conducting literature reviews, investigates current material and questions related to environmental or health impacts and/or in-depth research about alternative practices.
Coordinating and developing procedures in conjunction with other agencies.
Developing internal guidelines on techniques and methods improvements, preparing special reports, conducting administrative research and analysis, analyzing operational trends.
Conducting and/or assisting other analysts in the evaluation of administrative programs, systems, and methods.

This Position is Represented in the Following AMS Programs:

Work Environment

Food Technologists work in laboratories, offices, processing plants, and in the field. They spend most of their time studying data and reports in a laboratory or an office. Fieldwork includes visits to farms or processing plants.

Minimum Applicant Requirements

For GS-09 Level	For GS-11 Level and Above
Applicants must have either: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level that demonstrates: Experience conducting background research and analysis on agricultural production or food handling/processing. Evaluating substances (materials) and/or agricultural inputs in food processing and handling. Experience in taking meeting minutes and notes; participating in meeting with stakeholders; writing correspondence and meeting summaries; reviewing and assessing inquiries; experience writing various documents, including policy papers, briefings, and memoranda. Demonstrated experience in conducting these activities in the context of scientific, agricultural, or food technology information. Experience using databases or electronic management systems to track, manage, and report data, workflows, and correspondence. 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). OR Education: 2-years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or a master's or equivalent graduate degree in the fields of food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science. OR COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements.	Applicants must have either: Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level that demonstrates: Evaluating substances (materials) and/or agricultural inputs in food processing and handling to assess compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and the USDA organic regulations. Conducting background research and analysis for policy issues related to agricultural production or food handling/processing. Experience in taking meeting minutes and notes; participating in meeting with stakeholders; writing correspondence and meeting summaries; reviewing and assessing inquiries, complaints, and evidence or other data to evaluate whether incoming information is relevant to a specific Federal or State law or regulation. Experience writing complex documents, including policy papers, briefings, public policy documents, memoranda, and/or position papers. Experience translating technical and scientific information into plain language for a non-scientific audience. Experience using databases or electronic management systems to track, manage, and report data, workflows, and correspondence. 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). OR Education: 3-years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the fields of food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science. OR 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.

For GS-09 Level

For GS-11 Level and Above

Applicants must have either:

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level that demonstrates:

Experience conducting background research and analysis on agricultural production or food handling/processing.
Evaluating substances (materials) and/or agricultural inputs in food processing and handling.
Experience in taking meeting minutes and notes; participating in meeting with stakeholders; writing correspondence and meeting summaries; reviewing and assessing inquiries; experience writing various documents, including policy papers, briefings, and memoranda. Demonstrated experience in conducting these activities in the context of scientific, agricultural, or food technology information.
Experience using databases or electronic management systems to track, manage, and report data, workflows, and correspondence.

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).

Education: 2-years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a master's degree or a master's or equivalent graduate degree in the fields of food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-9 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements.

Applicants must have either:

Experience: One year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 level that demonstrates:

Evaluating substances (materials) and/or agricultural inputs in food processing and handling to assess compliance with the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990 and the USDA organic regulations.
Conducting background research and analysis for policy issues related to agricultural production or food handling/processing.
Experience in taking meeting minutes and notes; participating in meeting with stakeholders; writing correspondence and meeting summaries; reviewing and assessing inquiries, complaints, and evidence or other data to evaluate whether incoming information is relevant to a specific Federal or State law or regulation.
Experience writing complex documents, including policy papers, briefings, public policy documents, memoranda, and/or position papers. Experience translating technical and scientific information into plain language for a non-scientific audience.
Experience using databases or electronic management systems to track, manage, and report data, workflows, and correspondence.

Education: 3-years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in the fields of food technology, or dairy technology, microbiology, biology, chemistry, physics, or a related discipline or field of biological or physical science.

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.

Common Career Paths

Agricultural Marketing Specialist