The Agricultural Marketing Service is partnering with Agriculture Future of America (AFA) to hire recent graduates to join a diverse group of 4,000 professionals across the country who apply their knowledge and skills to create domestic and international marketing opportunities for U.S. producers of food, fiber and specialty crops, helping ensure the quality and availability of wholesome food and a wide range of goods.
AMS will be conducting an onsite application acceptance event at the 2023 AFA Leaders Conference. Interested applicants can apply on-site at the AFA Leaders Conference Opportunity Fair or online through USAJobs. Please review the available positions and application instructions below.
Pathways Recent Graduates
Are you graduating by December 2023 or June 2024? The Pathways Recent Graduates Program is for those who have graduated within the past two years or soon-to-be graduates from qualifying educational institution or certificate program. Veterans unable to apply within two years of receiving their degree due to military service obligation have up to six years after degree completion to apply.
The application period for all positions will be open between November 3 – 13, 2023.
Position: Agricultural Marketing Specialist (General)
Organization: Warehouse & Commodity Management Division
Grade(s)/Series: GS-1146-7/9
Location(s): Kansas City, MO
Appointment Type: Pathways Recent Graduate
View Full Agricultural Marketing Specialist Job Announcement
Position Description: Responsible for carrying out operational plans pertaining to the comprehensive delivery of nationwide programs for industry stakeholders and/or warehouse operators in the storage of all commodities as required under applicable laws, regulations and agreements. This includes determining eligibility of applicants for programs, issuing and terminating approvals or licenses and providing corrective instructions based on accurate interpretations of requirements.
The position involves a high degree of knowledge of State and Federal laws and regulations regarding commodity storage, knowledge of warehouse examination procedures and processes, and in-depth knowledge of the business practices of the agricultural commodities storage industry.
Position: Warehouse Examiner
Organization: Warehouse & Commodity Management Division
Grade(s)/Series: GS-1850-7/9
Location(s): Great Falls, MT; Dothan, AL
Appointment Type: Pathways Recent Graduate
View Full Warehouse Examiner Job Announcement
Position Description: Serves as a technical advisor on the application of the United States Warehouse Act (USWA) and the interpretation of the provisions of contracts for the storage and handling of government-owned or loan commodities. Reviews complex examinations/audit reports to determine compliance with the USWA and/or applicable storage agreements, as well as to ensure warehouses are examined as frequently as required by Commodity Credit Corporation policy.
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Travels to a new site weekly - ranging from a grain elevator, peanut, or cotton warehouse, depending on region. Gain exposure to the agricultural industry through weekly site visits to grain elevators and peanut/cotton warehouses.
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Performs a physical measurement of the inventory stored in the grain elevator, peanut, or cotton warehouse.
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Compares the physical inventory of commodities to the warehouse operator’s records. This ensures the accuracy of records and brings confidence to the US Commodity Storage Industry.
Position: Auditor (Financial)
Organization: Packers and Stockyards Division
Grade(s)/Series: GS-0511-7/9
Location(s): Des Moines, IA and Aurora, CO
Appointment Type: Pathways Recent Graduate
View Full Auditor Job Announcement
Description: Within the Agricultural Marketing Service, the Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) monitors the activities of the livestock and poultry industry by conducting regulatory compliance reviews and investigations to determine whether subject persons and firms are complying with the Packers and Stockyards Act and regulations. As an Auditor, you will be responsible for completing a wide variety of investigative tasks, forensic analysis, direct surveillance, and related work to support PSD's mission.
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Examines financial and operating records; reviews previous audit reports, formal orders and stipulations, and annual and special reports submitted by subject persons or firms.
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Independently makes detailed and technical on-site investigations of persons and firms to determine whether their operations conform with the Act and regulations.
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Investigates complaints alleging monetary damages and attempts to negotiate a settlement.
Position: Agricultural Marketing Specialist (Regulatory)
Organization: Packers and Stockyards Division
Grade(s)/Series: GS-1146-7/9
Location(s): Des Moines, IA; Atlanta, GA
Appointment Type: Pathways Recent Graduate
View Full Agricultural Marketing Specialist Job Announcement
Description: As an Agricultural Marketing Specialist (Regulatory) within the assigned region, you will be responsible for carrying out the enforcement of jurisdictional, competition, financial, and trade practice provisions of the Act. This is done primarily by conducting investigative work, direct surveillance and related work pertaining to the Packers and Stockyards Division (PSD) within the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).
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Review and research practices and trends in the livestock and poultry industry to determine whether conditions detrimental to the interests of producers and poultry growers exist. Obtain evidence and compile related data for formal actions.
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Documents investigative findings and prepares detailed investigative reports documenting violations found when corrective administrative action is warranted.
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Independently performs on-site trade practice, payment, and custodial account investigations of registrants, packers, and live poultry dealers that are subject to the Act.
Position: Program Analyst
Organization: Food Disclosure and Labeling Division
Grade(s)/Series: GS-0343-9
Location(s): Washington, DC
Appointment Type: Pathways Recent Graduate
View Full Program Analyst Job Announcement
Description: Provides analysis and reporting for the Food Disclosure and Labeling Division (FDLD), including communicating with internal and external stakeholders on a wide range of issues, coordinating with the Compliance and Enforcement Branch to track and monitor work, provides project management and coordination, and generates reports for management. FDLD is responsible for administering the Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program and the National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard (the Standard).
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Assists in maintaining and providing support for the management and development of the customer relationship management (CRM) system the Division uses to manage its compliance and enforcement activities through gathering, documenting, and prioritizing business needs and compliance processes from a variety of stakeholders.
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Uses software and other tools to mine data from the Division data systems to generate performance and production reports and to answer various data calls.
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Supports implementation of 46 Cooperative Agreements with State Departments of Agriculture by leading annual communications with the States to update contact information for state managers and reviewers, participating in annual Country of Origin field audit training and establishing a list of eligible reviewers, troubleshooting invoicing issues, assisting in annual allocations for field audits, and updating data systems to reflect new Cooperative Agreements or amendments.
How to Apply
Interested applicants can apply on-site at the AFA Leaders Conference Opportunity Fair or online through USAJobs. To apply in-person at the 2023 AFA Leaders Conference interested applicants can submit a copy of the following documents to a USDA AMS staffing specialist during the opportunity fair.
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Resume that includes: 1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications; and 5) supervisors name and phone number for each work period listed and whether or not they may be contacted for reference checks.
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College Transcripts: You must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show that the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program. For further information, visit the following: Foreign Education Evaluation. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
Veterans
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If claiming veterans' preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions within 120 days after the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veterans' preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran's preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted.
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If claiming 10-point veterans' preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans' Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insufficient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans' preference visit FEDSHIREVETS