USPSC Food Technician
Description
The Food Technologist will perform the following duties: At the GS-13 Equivalent Level:
● Provide technical support to BHA (and other bureaus, as requested), implementing partners, and field missions in food science and food safety and quality, local and regional procurement, and product development.
● Stay abreast of technical developments and methodologies through work with relevant offices in USAID, other donors, international organizations, universities, and other institutions, and through participation in technical conferences, seminars, and other activities.
● Provide USAID/BHA technical representation, as required, within the Agency, with other USG agencies, and with external stakeholders (e.g., World Food Program (WFP), UNICEF) in relation to the safety and quality of food assistance commodities, product and process improvement, new product development or renovation, packaging improvement, and research. Examples of external engagement include representing USAID in USG Codex processes and representing BHA on the USG Food Safety Working Group.
● Support efforts to research, analyze, plan, coordinate, and negotiate effectively with management and other USG teams to accept and implement recommendations related to food assistance products, packaging, supply chain and supplier approval, specifications, and business processes (e.g., food safety/quality incident management) where the proposals involve substantial agency resources or require extensive changes in established procedures.
● Participate as an integral member of the Nutrition Team, and work closely with Nutrition Advisors on the development of literature reviews, talking points, and positionstatements, for example: integrating expertise in food safety and quality into broader nutrition programming issues.
● Support USAID Washington with specific field missions for assessment and monitoring of manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation of food assistance commodities, and prepare subsequent reporting documentation.
● Proactively engage in technical discussions, including review of agency policies, guidelines, and other documents, around topics of relevance to the agency on food safety and quality, and lead studies and strategic analyses to establish BHA positions around such topics, and to inform BHA senior management in decision making.
● Support the development and updating of USAID commodity reference documents and specifications, in coordination with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
● Engage with food assistance suppliers on product and process improvement, new product development, and new packaging development and research.
● Track food safety, quality, and food systems activities implemented through other USAID Bureaus to ensure consistency and synergy with BHA.
At the GS-14 Equivalent Level (If the PSC is promoted during contract performance):
● Provide technical leadership to BHA (and other bureaus, as requested), implementing partners, and field missions in food science and food safety and quality, local and regional procurement, and product development.
● Stay abreast of technical developments and methodologies through work with relevant offices in USAID, other donors, international organizations, universities, and other institutions, and through participation in technical conferences, seminars, and other activities, and actively disseminate this learning to the Nutrition Team and other relevant peers.
● Provide senior-level USAID/BHA technical representation, as required, within the Agency, with other USG agencies, and with external stakeholders (e.g., WFP, UNICEF), in relation to the safety and quality of food assistance commodities, product and process improvement, new product development or renovation, packaging improvement, and research. Examples of external engagement include representing USAID in USG Codex processes and representing BHA on the USG Food Safety Working Group.
● Proactively identify and lead opportunities to research, analyze, plan, coordinate, and negotiate effectively with management and other USG teams to accept and implement recommendations related to food assistance products, packaging, supply chain and supplier approval, specifications, and business processes (e.g., food safety/quality incident management), where the proposals involve substantial agency resources or require extensive changes in established procedures.
● Monitor financial and administrative aspects of implementation of awards related to food safety and quality; provide operational oversight of programs to ensure that USAID’s responsibilities and obligations are met; and oversee technical and non-technical contractor activities that support these awards.
● Participate as an integral senior member of the Nutrition Team, and work closely with Nutrition Advisors on the development of literature reviews, talking points, and position statements, for example, integrating critical issues of food safety and quality into broader nutrition programming issues.
● In support of USAID Washington, lead specific field missions for assessment and monitoring of manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation of food assistance commodities, and prepare subsequent reporting documentation.
● Proactively lead technical discussions, including review of agency policies, guidelines, and other documents, around topics of relevance to the agency on food safety and quality, and lead studies and strategic analyses to establish BHA positions around such topics, and to inform BHA senior management in decision making.
● Provide leadership for the development and updating of USAID commodity reference documents and specifications, in coordination with USDA.
● Lead engagement with food assistance suppliers on product and process improvement, new product development, and new packaging development and research.
● Track and provide guidance on food safety, quality, and food systems activities implemented through other USAID Bureaus to ensure consistency and synergy with BHA.
All GS Equivalent Levels:
● Consistently model behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to fostering a welcoming and inclusive work environment free of discrimination, bias, unfairness, exclusion, offensive behaviors, and harassment of any kind.
● Contribute to a collaborative, respectful, and professional work environment by demonstrating partnership and teamwork to accomplish team, division, office, and Bureau objectives.
● Participate in workplace efforts to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility, including those related to Bureau and TPQ programs, partners, staffing, professional development, and other key areas.
● Attend and actively participate in personal-development activities, such as antiharassment and diversity training opportunities, brown bag sessions, working groups and/or focus group discussions.
● The Food Technologist does not have supervisory responsibilities; however, the PSC may serve in an acting leadership role within the bureau in order to meet short-term staffing needs, not to exceed 120 days in a 12-month contract year.
● May be requested to be on-call/sign up for and serve as needed on Washington based Response Management Teams (RMTs), which provide services and support to Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed in response to disasters. The duties on RMTs will vary.
● As needed, serve on DARTs, which may require immediate (within 24 hours) deployment overseas for an extended period of time. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, there may be some additional physical exertion including long periods of standing, walking over rough terrain, or carrying of moderately heavy items (less than 50 pounds). Work is primarily performed in an office setting. During deployment on DARTs (if required), and during site visits, the work may additionally involve special safety and/or security precautions, wearing of protective equipment, and exposure to severe weather conditions.
● As needed, may serve on temporary detail within the Bureau to meet operational needs during staff shortages. Duties performed while on detail will be aligned with the Team’s existing duties and responsibilities and will be directly related to the scope of work provided.
● Become certified and serve as an Agreement Officer’s Representative/Contracting Officer’s Representative (AOR/COR), as assigned. The AOR/COR provides financial and programmatic oversight of all aspects of managing the agreement or contract; this includes but is not limited to reviewing invoices, requests for approvals, program/project deliverables (i.e. work plans, annual reports, month status reports), travel requests, key personnel requests, and financial/budget reports. They are responsible for drafting and submitting the annual contractor performance evaluation in Contract/Assistance Performance Assessment Review System . They prepare and review contract/assistance modifications documentation and assist the Contracting/Agreement Officer to ensure performance is compliant with the terms and conditions of the contract/agreement, the FAR, and USAID policy. AOR/CORs are responsible for all related requirements in the COR designation letter and the AOR designation letter.
Qualifications
For the GS-13 Equivalent Level:
Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to: food science and technology, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, nutrition) plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in food science and technology, food manufacturing, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, or applied nutrition, three (3) years of which at a private industry level working on food product development.
OR
Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to: food science and technology, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, nutrition) plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in food science and technology, food manufacturing, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, or applied nutrition, three (3) years of which at a private industry level working on food product development.
OR
PhD with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to: food science and technology, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, nutrition) plus five (3) years of progressively responsible experience working in food science and technology, food manufacturing, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, or applied nutrition, three (3) years of which at a private industry level working on food product development.
For the GS-14 Equivalent Level: Bachelor’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to food science and technology, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, nutrition) plus nine (9) years of progressively responsible experience working in food science and technology, food manufacturing, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, or applied nutrition, three (3) years of which at a private industry level working on food product development.
OR
Master’s degree with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to food science and technology, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, nutrition) plus seven (7) years of progressively responsible experience working in food science and technology, food manufacturing, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, or applied nutrition, three (3) years of which at a private industry level working on food product development.
OR
PhD with significant study in or pertinent to the specialized field (including but not limited to: food science and technology, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, nutrition) plus five (5) years of progressively responsible experience working in food science and technology, food manufacturing, packaging, food safety, food microbiology, or applied nutrition, three (3) years of which at a private industry level working on food product development.
Application instructions
IV. SUBMITTING AN OFFER
1. Eligible Offerors are required to complete and submit the offer form AID 309-2, “Offeror Information for Personal Services Contracts with Individuals,” available at http://www.usaid.gov/forms.
2. Offers must be received by the closing date and time specified in Section I, item 3, and submitted to the Point of Contact in Section I.
3. Offeror submissions must clearly reference the Solicitation number on all offeror submitted documents.
4. Complete resume. In order to fully evaluate your offer, your resume must include:
(a) Offerors must notate on their resume what GS level equivalent is being applied for. Applicants may list more than one GS level on their resume. (b) Paid and non-paid experience, job title, location(s), dates held (month/year), and hours worked per week for each position. Any experience that does not include dates (month/year), locations, and hours per week will not be counted towards meeting the solicitation requirements. (c) Specific duties performed that fully detail the level and complexity of the work. d) Education and any other qualifications including job-related training courses, job-related skills, or job-related honors, awards or accomplishments. Failure to identify an academic discipline will result in disqualification. (e) U.S. Citizenship (f) Optional: How did you hear about this opportunity? (SAM.gov, BHA Jobs, Career Fair, etc.).
Your resume must contain sufficient information to make a valid determination that you fully meet the experience requirements as stated in this solicitation for each grade level for which you are applying. This information must be clearly identified in your resume. Failure to provide information sufficient to determine your qualifications for the position will result in loss of full consideration.
Additional documents submitted will not be accepted.
By submitting your offer materials, you certify that all of the information on and attached to the offer is true, correct, complete, and made in good faith. You agree to allow all information on and attached to the offer to be investigated. False or fraudulent information on or attached to your offer may result in you being eliminated from consideration for this position, or being terminated after award, and may be punishable by fine or imprisonment.
To ensure consideration of offers for the intended position, please reference the solicitation number on your offer, and as the subject line in any email.
5. Ensure Adequate COVID-19 Safety Protocols for Federal Contractors - Please be advised that upon award, the contractor will be required to show proof that the contractor is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 on or before the first date of onboarding, or submit an approved reasonable accommodation to the CO. If the contractor does not meet this requirement the contract may be terminated.* USPSCs/TCNPSCs performing overseas must follow the Mission policies and/or directives from the U.S. Department of State regarding COVID-19 requirements. *See Notice Regarding Any Court Order Affecting the Implementation of E.O. 14042 in Section VIII below.
6. NOTE: If the full security application package is not submitted within 30 days after the Office of Security determines eligibility, the offer may be rescinded. If a Secret security clearance is not obtained within nine months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If Top Secret is required, and clearance is not obtained within nine months after award, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government. If Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is not obtained within nine months after Top Secret clearance is granted, USAID may terminate the contract at the convenience of the government.
7. NOTE: If the full medical clearance package is not submitted within two months after offer acceptance, the offer may be rescinded. If a Department of State medical clearance is not obtained; the offer may be rescinded.
NOTE REGARDING GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS FOR THIS SOLICITATION: This solicitation in no way obligates USAID to award a PSC contract, nor does it commit USAID to pay any cost incurred in the preparation and submission of the offer.