Jan 23, 2020

National Organic Program to hire standards enforcers

The USDA National Organic Program (NOP), which enforces standards for the dynamic, growing organic industry, is hiring for multiple opening in three different positions.

In announcing the positions in its “Organic Insider” newsletter, the USDA said, “This small federal program has a big impact on farmers, businesses and consumers, enforcing the organic standards to continually strengthen the trust in an agricultural sector with increasingly complex global supply chains – from farm to table.”

The USDA is hiring a national list manager, an audit team member, and multiple accreditation managers. Qualified external candidates are encouraged to apply online through www.USAJobs.com. Selected candidates must be willing to relocate to the Washington, D.C. metro area, the USDA said, but relocation compensation must be paid.

The application deadline is January 29, 2020, but job listings may close down sooner than that, when 75 applications have been received.

Below are job descriptions and links to the job listings as posted by the USDA:

National List Manager

Click for Announcement: DE-10692587-20-NO

The National List Manager (Agricultural Marketing Specialist – Regulatory) serves as a technical expert focusing on the diverse materials petitioned and used in organic crops, livestock, and processing. The National List Manager researches, analyzes and presents technical and scientific information from many sources to inform policy related to the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances. This expert also interacts with stakeholders across the organic community interested in materials issues.

Accreditation Manager
(multiple openings)

Click for Announcement: DE-10698209-20-NO

Accreditation Managers (Agricultural Marketing Specialist – Regulatory) are key members of the team that accredits and oversees organic certifiers. Accreditation managers conduct quality system and regulatory compliance audits of certifiers, provide technical expertise to certifiers, and conduct a myriad of activities to make sure certifier control systems are working effectively. Applicants may qualify at the GS-12 or GS-13 level.

Audit Team Manager

Click for Announcement: DE-10693134-20-NO

The Audit Team Manager (Supervisory Agricultural Marketing Specialist – Regulatory) is a GS-13 who supervises a team of remote auditors on the NOP Accreditation Team. This leader evaluates and supervises auditors, plans and manages the audit schedule, prepares and directs the preparation of audit documentation, and supports the development of accreditation procedures.