Job Title: Consumer Safety Officer (Enforce Invest & Analysis Officer)
- Springfield, MA
Department: Department Of Agriculture
Agency: Food Safety and Inspection Service
Job Announcement Number: FSIS-MCE-2010-0118
SALARY RANGE:
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47,448.00 - 106,369.00 USD /year
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OPEN PERIOD:
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Wednesday, February 03, 2010 to Wednesday, February 17, 2010
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SERIES & GRADE:
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AP-0696-03/04
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POSITION INFORMATION:
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Full-timePermanent
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PROMOTION POTENTIAL:
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04
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DUTY LOCATIONS:
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1 vacancy - Springfield, MA
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WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:
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Open to all qualified U.S. citizens.
This vacancy is being ran concurrently with Merit Promotion
announcement number FSIS-MMP-2010-0514. Current or former Federal
employees with status should apply to that vacancy announcement.
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JOB SUMMARY:
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JOIN A GREAT FSIS TEAM!
The Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is a public health
regulatory agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Our
mission is to protect consumers by ensuring that the commercial
supply of meat*, poultry, and egg products moving in interstate
commerce or exported to other countries is safe, wholesome and
correctly labeled and packaged.
* The "Food Conservation and Energy Act of 2008", also referred
to
as the "2008 Farm Bill", was signed into Law on June 18, 2008.
The
Farm Bill amends the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA) to include
Catfish as an amenable species under the Act.
This position is covered by the Public Health Human Resources
(PHHRS) Demonstration Project.
Effective July 19, 2009, FSIS began operating under the PHHRS, a Pay
Banding and Pay for Performance Demonstration Project, in which non-
bargaining unit positions will be classified by career path,
occupational series, and pay bands rather than the traditional
General Schedule (GS) grades in the Federal Service. The AP-03 pay
band is equivalent to the GS-9/11 levels, and the AP-04 pay band is
equivalent to GS-12/13.
PHHRS will offer flexibility to offer exceptional candidates higher
salaries than most other Federal agencies. Additionally, employees
will be eligible to receive an annual pay increase based upon
performance.
For more information on PHHRS, including information on its pay
tables and how it will benefit employees, please visit:
http://www.fsis.usda.gov/Careers/PHHRS_Demo_Project/index.asp
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You will be working independently to
inspect, instruct, and report
information on plant's food safety and process control systems. You
will play a major role in assuring the safety of our nation's meat
and poultry supply!
KEY REQUIREMENTS:
- THIS POSITION HAS AN
EDUCATION REQUIREMENT.
- THIS IS A PUBLIC TRUST
POSITION REQUIRING A BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION.
- RELOCATION EXPENSES WILL BE
DETERMINED PER FSIS DIRECTIVE 3820.2.
- A TRAINING PROGRAM
REQUIREMENT IS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.
- FSIS UTILIZES E-VERIFY TO
VERIFY IDENTITY AND EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY.
- A SELF-CERTIFICATION MEDICAL
STATEMENT MAY BE REQUIRED.
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Duties
Additional
Duty Location Info:
1 vacancy - Springfield, MA
Here's
what you will be assigned to do:
1. Conduct on-site consumer protection assessments to verify the
design and proper functioning of a plant's food safety and process
control systems.
2. Apply your knowledge of microbiology, food science, biology,
chemistry, and/or agriculture to assess the scientific adequacy of
Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans, Sanitation
Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), microbiological verification
sampling protocols, or other process control measures implemented by
regulated establishments.
3. Perform investigative work related to food processing and/or
slaughter systems to obtain information, gather evidence, or verify
facts in support of administrative or civil enforcement matters.
You will make recommendations regarding the type of enforcement
action that is necessary, and assist in the preparation of
enforcement related documentation such as notices of intended
enforcement, suspension letters, deferral letters, and letters of
warning.
4. Collect necessary information pertaining to product recall
activities, consumer complaints, or other public health concerns.
Determine the relevance of data and documentation in plant records,
laboratory test data, and observed activities for compliance with
provisions of laws and Agency regulations.
5. Assist inspection personnel, as needed, in the consistent
nationwide implementation of significant new inspection procedures
designed to verify that official establishments meet regulatory
requirements for food safety and other consumer protection.
6. Additional skills desired will be computer skills, communication
with customers, resourcefulness with investigations, problem-
solving, follow-up, and the ability to work well with multiple
tasks. Must work well independently to manage schedule.
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Qualifications and
Evaluations
QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED:
Specialized
experience AP Band 3:
A bachelor's degree that included 30 semester hours of related science
coursework (i.e. animal science, chemistry, food science and nutrition,
public health science, microbiology, zoology etc.), AND 52 weeks or more of
*specialized experience at the next lower grade level (e.g., generally,
the GS-8 level) or band level. This experience may be gained under GS, PHHRS,
another pay band system, or any combination of GS, pay band, or other
experience that totals 52 weeks or more.
OR
In the absence of a degree, 30 semester hours of related science
coursework as specified above, AND 52 weeks or more one year of
*specialized experience at the next lower grade level (e.g.,
generally, the GS-8 level) or band level. This experience may be
gained under GS, PHHRS, another pay band system, or any combination
of GS, pay band, or other experience that totals 52 weeks or more.
OR
A master's degree or two full years of progressively higher level
graduate education in a related field of study, as specified above.
Education above high school that included 30 semester hours of
related science coursework (i.e. animal science, chemistry, food
science and nutrition, public health science, microbiology, zoology
etc.), AND 52 weeks or more of *specialized experience at the next
lower grade level (e.g, GS-9 or GS-10) or band level. This experience may be
gained under GS, PHHRS, another pay band system,
or any combination of GS, pay band, or other experience that totals
52 weeks or more.
OR
A Ph.D. or three full years of progressively higher level graduate
education in a related field of study.
Specialized experience AP Band 4:
Education, above high school, that included 30 semester hours of related
science coursework (i.e. animal science, chemistry, food science and
nutrition, public health science, microbiology, zoology etc.), AND at least
52 weeks of *specialized experience at the next lower grade level
(GS-11 or 12 level) or band level. This experience may be gained under GS,
PHHRS, another pay band system, or any combination of GS, pay band, or other
experience that totals 52 weeks or more.
* SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE:
Please carefully review the specialized experience for this position.
Education alone or combinations of education and experience may qualify for
this position, and the specialized
experience may be gained in GS, PHHRS, another pay band, other or
any combination, but in any event, qualifying specailzed work
experience must meet the following definition: Regular responsibility for
verification of food safety systems, including application of the methodology
for verifying Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) plans,
Sanitation Standard Operating Procedures (SSOPs), E-coli procedures, and
interactions of these systems. It also includes working with enforcement
actions, applying investigative methodology, documenting case files,
administrative enforcement, recall activity, consumer complaint monitoring,
and responsibility for assessing and verifying the adequacy of food safety
systems. Slaughter experience is NOT
considered specialized experience.
For this position, there are two basic components that define the
required qualifications. These components are:
1. Education
2. Specialized Experience
Education:
All applicants need to meet minimum education requirements for this position.
The minimun eduction requirements are education above high school that
included 30 semester hours of related science coursework (i.e. animal
science, chemistry, food science and nutrition, public health science, microbiology,
zoology etc.).
HOW YOU
WILL BE EVALUATED:
Applicants
are evaluated in accordance with Delegated Examining
Procedures. An automated rating system, based on the on-line
assessment and application process is used. Before any certificate
can be issued to the selecting official, the resume is reviewed
carefully by an HR Specialist to assure that (a) minimum
qualification requirements are met, (b) the resume supports the
answers provided to the job-specific questions, and (c) that your
resume addresses experience and education relevant to this position.
Your answers will be verified against information provided in your
on-line resume and application. Be sure that your resume clearly
supports your responses to all the questions addressing experience
and education relevant to this position.
To be well qualified, CTAP/ICTAP eligibles must receive a rating of
at least 85 out of 100.To preview questions please click here.
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Benefits and Other Info
BENEFITS:
The Federal government offers a number of exceptional benefits
to
its employees. For an overview of all the benefits programs visit:
Benefit
Information.
OTHER
INFORMATION:
- Entitlement to the payment of relocation expenses will be
determined in accordance with the provisions outlined in FSIS
Directive 3820.2.
-TRAVEL REQUIRED MAY VARY DEPENDING ON GEOGRAPHICAL ASSIGNMENT-UP TO
50%
-A background investigation is a requirement for this position.
Appointment will be subject to the applicant's successful completion
of a background investigation and favorable adjudication. Failure
to successfully meet these requirements could lead to adverse action
proceedings, including possible termination.
- The full performance level of this position is AP-4. If
selection is made below the AP-4 level, promotion may be made
to the AP-4 level without further competition. This is dependent
upon the incumbent's demonstrated performance, ability to assume
additional responsibility, and ability to perform successfully at
the next higher level.
- Applicants from outside FSIS will be required to complete a
Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) prior to being appointed
to determine suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a
background investigation. False statements or responses on a resume
or application can jeopardize employment and may be grounds for
disciplinary action, including removal from Federal service.
- This position has a training program requirement as a condition of
employment. If selected, you must successfully complete a 4 week
off-the-job training program at a designated location which may
require travel outside the duty location for an extended period of
time. The Enforcement, Investigations and Analysis Officer (EIAO)
Work Methods training is necessary to perform the duties and
responsibilities of an EIAO. You must begin the training within 90
days of the effective date of your selection, and you must
successfully complete it within 12 months of the effective date of
your selection. Failure to successfully complete the training may
result in returning you to your former position, or a like position
at the same or lower grade (depending on availability and the needs
of the Agency) or removal from Federal Service.
- All applicants tentatively selected for this position (except
current FSIS employees who have successfully completed a pre-
employment medical exam) will be required to complete a self-
certification medical statement regarding their physical ability to
perform the duties of the position.
FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES ALL EMPLOYERS TO VERIFY THE IDENTITY AND
EMPLOYMENT ELIGIBILITY OF ALL PERSONS HIRED TO WORK IN THE UNITED
STATES. FSIS utilizes E-Verify to verify identity and employment
eligibility by providing to the Social Security Administration (SSA)
and, if necessary the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work
authorization. E-Verify cannot be used to pre-screen job applicants
or to re-verify current employees and may not limit or influence the
choice of documents presented for use on the Form I-9. If you have
concern that there has been a violation of the E-Verify program or
you feel you have been discriminated during the verification process
based on your national origin or citizenship status, contact the
Office of Special Counsel at 1-800-255-7688 (TDD: 1-800-237-2515).
For more information on E-Verify you may contact DHS at 1-888-464-
4218.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination
in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color,
national origin, age, disability and where applicable, sex, marital
status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual
orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or
because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any
public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all
programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means
for communication of program information (Braille, large print,
audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-
720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination,
write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence
Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272
(voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity
provider and employer.
This Agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with
disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part
of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.
Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-
case basis.
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How To Apply
HOW TO
APPLY:
1) Officers on active duty in the
Public Health Service (PHS) Commissioned Corps, PHS Inactive Reserve Corps
Officers, and applicants to the PHS Commissioned Corps do not apply on-line.
The preferred receipt of PHS applications is to email your application to the
HR contact listed in this announcement. (i.e. curriculum vitae, resume,
etc.) (You may send a hard copy application if you are unable to utilize
email). Applicants to the PHS Commissioned Corps should also submit a copy of
their Commissioned Corps application. Officers and Corps applicants are
strongly encouraged to submit all the materials requested here (or their
equivalent) in order to be competitive. For general information on employment
as a Commissioned Corps Officer at FSIS, please contact CDR Lou Ann Rector at
(301) 344-0757 or email louann.rector@fsis.usda.gov.
2) Notify CCO applicants receipt of an application and
again with the notice of results when a selection is made. (Notification
preferably by email).
3) When emailing CDR Rector a request to check if a
CCO applicant is eligible/qualified for a position, attach a copy of the
announcement.
4) When CCO apply to a vacancy, it takes CDR Rector
some time to check if the applicant is eligible/qualified - rather than hold
up issuing the certificate, issue the certificate and refer the CCO with a
notation that their eligibility is pending confirmation.
ALL OTHER ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
You must begin the application process online at USAJobs. Submitting
a USAJobs resume, responses to the basic qualifications, on-line
vacancy questions and any supporting documents required to complete
your application.
Completed applications include:
1. Answers to all core questions (completed when registering on-
line in USAJOBS and as part of the initial application process).
2. Answers to all vacancy-specific questions (Completed for each
job)
3. Your on-line resume. Resumes are entered into USAJOBS. Resumes
can be copied and pasted into the personal information area of your
application from other word processing documents at any time prior
to the closing date.
4. Any supplemental documents needed for your application, such as
transcripts or a SF-50.
Announcement closes on midnight eastern time of the closing date.
Applicants who do not respond to the on-line vacancy questions and
who do not submit supporting resumes or supporting documents will be
rated ineligible.
REQUIRED
DOCUMENTS:
If you are not a current FSIS employee with transcripts on
file, you
must submit your transcripts and/or course slips. These items must
include course title, school name/location, date completed, grade,
and number of credits.
If you claim CTAP/ICTAP eligibility, please provide a copy of your
most recent performance appraisal (at least "fully successful" or
equivalent), and proof of eligibility, i.e., a RIF separation notice
or Certification of Expected Separation and a SF-50 noting current
position, grade level, and duty location. Click here: for more information.
Status applicants who are not FSIS employees need to provide a
legible copy of their most recent Notification of Personnel Action
(SF-50) to verify status.
If you are claiming eligibility for consideration under a
noncompetitive special hiring authority, you will need to provide
the appropriate supporting documentation to verify eligibility.
Veteran preference eligibles or veterans who have been separated
from the armed forces under honorable conditions after at least
three consecutive years of active duty military service may also be
considered. A DD-214 that includes beginning and ending dates of
service and character of discharge (Member Copy 4) must be submitted
to verify eligibility.
Supporting documentation should be sent using the fax imaging
instructions after you have applied for the vacancy announcement.
Faxing Supporting Documentation:
The next step of the application process is to fax all the required
supporting documentation specified in the Required Documents section
of this vacancy announcement. You do not need to have all of your
supporting documentation submitted in order to continue with the
online portion of the application process. Please carefully follow
the instructions below to ensure your supporting documents are
properly faxed and received. All required documents must be
received by midnight Eastern Time on the closing date of the vacancy
announcement.
***Not all of the document types listed will pertain to you; only
submit documents needed to complete your application package. For
example, the Schedule A Certification document must only be
submitted by individuals applying based on eligibility for
appointment due to a disability. The SF-50 is a form current and
former Federal employees submit to document their Federal employment
status.
FAX INSTRUCTIONS:
1. If you have previously faxed supporting documentation the status
of those documents will indicate Received. There is no need
to resubmit documents which show a status of received unless you are
submitting an updated copy. (If a document is resubmitted, it
replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document
is no longer available to the human resources office. If you are
adding to, rather than replacing, a previous submission, you must
fax both the old document and the new document for them both to be
accessible to HR.)
2. You must use a separate cover sheet for each category of
supporting documentation (i.e., transcripts, SF-50, DD-214). Choose
the document cover sheet(s) you would like to print by selecting the
appropriate check boxes in the Selected Documents column.
3. Click the [Print Cover Sheets] button. A window will pop up
containing the fax cover sheet(s) you selected. Print the coversheet
(s). NOTE: You must be connected to a printer in order to
print the coversheets. Additionally, you must allow pop-ups.
4. Once you have reviewed the list of documents and printed any
required fax cover sheets click on [Done]. You will be moved
forward in the application process.
5. Before faxing your document(s), take care to ensure the document
is legible and all information is complete and signed, if
necessary. Fax only documents which are clear and legible.
Original documents with light or faded print and/or dark or
patterned backgrounds will not be legible upon receipt. Illegible
faxed documents cannot be used for qualification or verification
purposes.
6. Place the corresponding cover sheet on top of the document and
fax the cover sheet and document together to the fax number
specified on the cover sheet. NOTE: If you are faxing
documents from more than one category of supporting documentation,
you must submit them with the appropriate cover sheet. EACH
DOCUMENT TYPE MUST BE FAXED SEPARATELY under its corresponding
cover sheet. DO NOT FAX ALL DOCUMENTS TYPES UNDER ONE COVER SHEET.
(i.e., Transcripts are one type of document; fax all pages of your
transcript and other education-related documents under the transcript cover
sheet; the SF-50 is another document type, if you are faxing more than one
SF-50, fax them all under the SF-50 cover sheet.)
7. Be sure to save these cover sheets in the event you need to re-
fax your supporting documents. Each fax transmission includes a
unique identification number and bar code, which ensures your
document is processed correctly.
8. You will receive an e-mail confirming the fax has been
successfully received by Human Resources. You should retain your e-
mail confirmation and confirmation of your fax transmittal report as
proof of submission.
Your application will be considered incomplete and YOU WILL BE
FOUND INELIGIBLE if you fail to submit the required documentation as
specified under the required documents section by midnight Eastern Time on
the closing date of the vacancy announcement.
AGENCY
CONTACT INFO:
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Kevin P. Bjork
Phone: 612-659-8647
Fax: 612-370-2376
TDD: 800-877-8339
Email: kevin.bjork@fsis.usda.gov
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Or write:
Food Safety and Inspection Service, USDA
Human Resources Field Office
Butler Square West, Suite 420C
Minneapolis, MN 55403
Fax: 612-370-2376
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WHAT TO
EXPECT NEXT:
To check your application status, you would go to USAJOBS.
Applications are reviewed after the announcement closing date the
best qualified candidates are referred to the selecting official.<
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