The USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs (MRP) needs bright, energetic and committed professionals to facilitate the domestic and international marketing of U.S. agricultural products and to protect the health and care of animals and plants in the United States.

The Recent Graduates Program affords developmental experiences in the Federal Government intended to promote possible careers in the civil service to individuals who have recently graduated from qualifying educational institutions or programs.

Successful applicants are placed in a dynamic, developmental program with the potential to lead to a civil service career in the Federal Government. The program lasts for 1 year and includes:

• Orientation program
• Mentorship throughout the program
• Individual Development Plan to create and track recent graduates’ career planning, professional development, and training activities
• At least 40 hours of formal, interactive training each year of the program
• Opportunity for career advancement

Upon successful completion of program requirements, the incumbent may be converted to a term, career, or career conditional position.

The incumbent of this position performs the full range of meat grading and quality assurance monitoring duties, located at either a main station, substation, or other office locations which may involve details and/or reassignments to different geographical areas as needed and as determined by management.

Salary Range: $32,844.00 – $52,893.00 per year

Duties:

• Independently examines meat (in carcass or in cases where the USDA standards permit whole sale cut form) to evaluate the sex, texture, marbling, maturity, color, and other factors relating to product quality
• Applies the official standards to determine the meat’s quality grade, independently making all determinations, including borderline cases
• Independently defends grade or certification determinations to plant personnel, resolving most protests
• Corrects errors observed and assists in maintaining relations with the plant’s management by explaining applications of the standards and the related rules and regulations, by advising on plant procedures as they relate to the requirements of the grading services, and by coordinating the grading work with plant activities
• In certain cases, re-evaluates carcasses previously identified for grade after they have been ribbed
• Records and forwards evaluation data for factors which determine the final quality and yield grade of specific carcasses identified for evaluation through the Carcass Data Service
• Determines the yield grade of carcasses and applicable cuts by applying official standards involving such factors as carcass weight, amount of fat, and area of the ribeyes
• Is responsible for proper control and storage of official equipment
• When designated, coordinates the work of several graders assigned to a specific location and at times, depending upon the location and workload, may serve as grader in charge
• Conducts public demonstrations; reviews retail meat outlets (i.e., supermarkets, meat markets, hotels, restaurants, etc.) for compliance with Public Law 272

Occasional travel may be required.

Job Requirements & Qualifications

• Earned an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2)years.  
• Current students who will complete their degree requirements by 5/31/2017 will also be considered
• Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met.
• Transcripts are required and must show the date your degree was conferred, or your in-progress Spring 2017 courses with cumulative credit information. 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.
• All academic degrees or course work must be completed in an educational institution that has obtained accreditation form an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov/
• US Citizenship 
• Selective Service Registration is required for males born after 12/31/1959

For more information and to apply, please follow this link. Applications are due Thursday, May 25, 2017.

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