If you are a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces and were separated (within the last three years), or will soon be separated, under honorable conditions you may be eligible for direct hire, veteran’s preference or other hiring options.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) offers rewarding job opportunities for talented individuals seeking exciting and challenging careers across the country. With about 4,000 employees, we provide a range of services to farmers, producers and businesses in the agricultural supply chain that brings food and farm goods to American homes.
- AMS has permanent, full-time jobs and seasonal positions available across the country.
- Pay is competitive and varies by federal grade level and geographic location.
- If there is not a vacancy for your preferred location at the time you submit your resume and supporting documents (see below), they will be retained for six months for review as jobs become available. Contact us with any questions.
Resources
Current Jobs at AMS
Other AMS job openings are listed at USAjobs.gov and the AMS Careers Page.
Qualified Veterans may also be considered without completing the full USAJobs application by submitting your resume here. Review the job descriptions below and when you find a good fit, click “Learn More”. Additional instructions will be inside the email that should automatically open. If you have trouble with the system, contact AMS Veterans Program.
Market News Reporter
GS Levels 5, 7, 9, Des Moines, IA; St Joseph, MO; New Holland, PA
Market New Reporters in the Livestock, Poultry and Grain Market News Division collect, analyze and disseminate market information for the public good that will aid producers, consumers, and distributors in the sale and purchase of livestock, meat, poultry, egg, grain, and their related products nationally and internationally. This information provides the industry with tools to determine where and when to buy and sell livestock, grain, and their related products. Market reports assist producers in their production planning and help promote orderly marketing by placing producers and others in the industry on a more equal bargaining basis. Industries which process and distribute agricultural products also make considerable use of market reports to conduct and plan business operations.
Compliance Officer
GS 9-11, Washington, D.C.
The incumbent serves as a Compliance Officer with special technical expertise in developing investigative strategies and procedures, review plans, and leading extremely complex and frequently very politically-sensitive investigations involving alleged program violations by employees and the serviced industries.
Agricultural Commodity Grader, Meat
GS 5-7, Fort Morgan, CO; Brawley, CA; Hyrum UT; Pasco, WA; West Chester, OH
The Agricultural Commodity Grader is responsible for administering the inspection and grading of agricultural commodities/products at terminal markets, shipping points, assembling and packaging plants, and inspection of processing, packaging and manufacturing plant facilities and equipment. As examples, the incumbent; Prepares detailed inspection reports; meets with plant management to explain plant evaluation and; selects representative samples of product for quality examination to determines the final U.S. Grade according to official Grade Standards for each lot and unit.
Agricultural Commodity Grader (Poultry)
Current Openings: San Jose, CA; Platteville, CO; Hudson, CA; Molalla, OR; Avenal, CA; Mount Joy and Middletown, PA; Murrayville, GA; Center, Boling, Gonzales, Marion, TX; Harris, IA;
GS Levels 5, 7, 9 may be available depending on your experience and education.
The Agricultural Commodity Grader is responsible for administering the inspection and grading of agricultural commodities/products at terminal markets, shipping points, assembling and packaging plants, and inspection of processing, packaging and manufacturing plant facilities and equipment. As examples, the incumbent; Prepares detailed inspection reports; meets with plant management to explain plant evaluation and; selects representative samples of product for quality examination to determines the final U.S. Grade according to official Grade Standards for each lot and unit.
Agricultural Commodity Grader
GS 5, Covina, CA; Salem, OR; North Brunswick, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Hunt Valley, MD
The Agricultural Commodity Grader is responsible for administering the inspection and grading of agricultural commodities/products at terminal markets, shipping points, assembling and packaging plants, and inspection of processing, packaging and manufacturing plant facilities and equipment. As examples, the incumbent; Prepares detailed inspection reports; meets with plant management to explain plant evaluation and; selects representative samples of product for quality examination to determines the final U.S. Grade according to official Grade Standards for each lot and unit.
Agricultural Commodity Grader
GS 9, Chicago, IL
The Agricultural Commodity Grader is responsible for administering the inspection and grading of agricultural commodities/products at terminal markets, shipping points, assembling and packaging plants, and inspection of processing, packaging and manufacturing plant facilities and equipment. As examples, the incumbent; Prepares detailed inspection reports to determine plant compliance; meets with plant management to explain plant evaluation findings and makes recommendations for correction; selects representative samples of product for quality examination and to determines the final U.S. Grade according to official Grade Standards for each lot and unit.
Compliance and Enforcement Specialist
GS 9, 11, 12, 13, Washington, DC
The Compliance and Enforcement Branch has primary responsibility for planning and administering program compliance and enforcement, litigation coordination, and compliance plans. As examples, the incumbent: conducts technical assistance and analysis on issues; prepares requests to the Office of the General Counsel for administrative adjudicatory actions and requests for investigations to the Office of Inspector General; prepares administrative subpoenas; provides; provides legal support to the Office of the General Counsel for administrative hearings; establishes and maintains contacts with key program and administrative personnel within and outside the Agency to assure good working relationships at the operating level.
Compliance Staff Assistant
GS 9-11, Washington, DC
Provides a variety of duties supporting compliance and enforcement branch goals and activities. Coordinates compliance monitoring activities for imported entries of fruits, vegetables and specialty crops, ensuring that cases are closed within the branch’s electronic system as appropriate. Provides stakeholder and customer assistance with electronic database and exemption certificate filing, as well as with other inquires. Produces reports and a variety of additional administrative duties and functions.
General Conditions of Employment
- U.S. Citizenship is required
- Some positions require travel within a region. A valid driver's license may be required.
- Some jobs require work outside normal duty hours, like evenings, weekends or holidays.
- Shift work and emergency overtime may be required.
- See job descriptions for details on requirements for each job type.
Documents You Will Need to Submit
Resume with no physical address
Cover letter stating Veteran’s Preference (e.g. I am Veteran with more than XX disability or I am still on Active Duty with estimated honorable discharge date of XXX)
DO NOT SUBMIT DOCUMENTS WITH PII (DD-214, SF-15, VA Letter, etc.) HR will obtain those prior to a job offer.
Active Duty Service Members
Federal law requires that U.S Government agencies treat active duty service member as veterans, disabled veterans, and preference eligible when they submit, at the time they apply for a Federal job, a certification of active service in lieu of a DD-214, assuming the service member is otherwise eligible.
A certification letter should be on letterhead of the appropriate military branch of the service and contain (1) the military service dates including the expected discharge or release date; and (2) the character of service. The service member's military service dates are necessary in order to determine whether he or she meets the definition of "veteran" under 5 U.S.C. 2108(1).
The certification letter must reflect the service member is expected to be discharged or released from active duty service in the armed forces under honorable conditions not later than 120 days after the date of submission.
The certification letter must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate when your terminal leave will begin (if applicable), your rank, dates of active duty service, the type of discharge and character of service (i.e. honorable).
Agencies are required to verify a qualifying separation from military service prior to appointment, through the DD-214 or other appropriate documentation. Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Active duty members that fail to provide a valid certification of service with their initial application will be found not eligible. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military retirement or separation if member is on terminal leave.