Summary If selected you will be stationed in one of several classing offices located in a major cotton producing area. Your work will involve examination and evaluation of cotton to determine its official U.S. class and acceptability in terms of quality and condition in accordance with official standards and related regulations. Responsibilities 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: Work involves examination and evaluation of cotton to determine its official U.S. class and acceptability in terms of quality and condition in accordance with official standards. Examines and evaluates cotton samples to determine appropriate classification. This includes both visual and tactile methods of inspection. Provides certified assurance of the quality of cotton. Collects cotton samples for use in surveys, studies, demonstrations, standards, and training programs. Collects market information on prices/qualities/movement of cotton/cottonseed. Investigates complaints pertaining to classification or alleged violations. Inspects/checks work of licensed samplers/sampling at gins and warehouses in connection with Cotton and Tobacco Programs. Checks to see that assigned classifications have been recorded, processes cotton classification appeals, and assists with preparation of reports. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements; Completed all requirements for 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 5/31/2026 will be considered. OR 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. FOR THE GS-05 LEVEL: Applicants must have 3 years of general, progressively responsible experience, one year of which was equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-4 level in the Federal service. Experience must demonstrate the ability to: Identify problems, gather pertinent data, or recognize solutions. Plan and organize work. Utilize office software such as: Adobe, Excel, Word. OR 4-year course of study leading to a bachelor's degree. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the GS-05 level in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Apply grade standards to agricultural commodities. Uses office software to create work products and reviews the work of others. Leads groups by prioritizing workflows and meeting targeted deadlines. OR 1 full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Mathematics, Engineering, Science, Business, Economics, or related subjects 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). TRANSCRIPTS are required. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-5/7 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 an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant 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. Education Please see above for education qualification requirement information. Transcripts including the date your degree was conferred are required. Applications will not be considered without this documentation. For those graduating this semester by 5/31/2026, you will have to provide proof of conferment prior to entrance on duty. Additional Information Recent Graduate appointments are intended to last for 1 year. Recent Graduates who satisfactorily complete all the USDA Recent Graduates Program requirements may be non-competitively converted to a Term or Permanent appointment in the competitive service. Conversion is not guaranteed. Recent Graduates converted to Term appointments may later be non-competitively converted to a Permanent competitive service position. If selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entrance on duty. A Pathways Participant Agreement will be required if you are selected for a position. The agreement must be signed by all applicable parties prior to entrance on duty. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Selection will be at GS-1980-05/07 with the possibility of conversion to a term or permanent GS-1980-05/07, with promotion potential to the GS-09 level. Conversion eligibility and position is not guaranteed and depends upon the program unit's needs. Worksite Information: This position is located at the duty station(s) listed in this vacancy announcement and is not eligible for telework or remote work. Classification of cotton is performed from a standing position. Classification of cotton is extremely demanding on the hands, arms, and shoulders since it involves the handling of 1,600 portions of samples per day. The classification process requires physical dexterity and mental alertness and is extremely tiring, both mentally and physically. Field work necessitates visiting gins, warehouses, and oil mills and conducting meetings. Sample containers weighing 20 to 25 pounds are constantly moved by the employee. CONVERSION REQUIREMENTS Recent Graduates may be non-competitively converted to a term or permanent position in the competitive service. To be eligible for conversion the Recent Graduate must meet all of the following: Successfully complete at least 1-year of continuous service in addition to all requirements of the Program as outlined in the Participant Agreement. Demonstrate successful job performance. Meet the qualifications for the position to which the Recent Graduate will be converted.
