NOP Recruitment Announcement

The USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service is currently recruiting three Agricultural Marketing Specialists (GS-1146-12/13) to work in the National Organic Program (NOP).  The incumbents will serve as Accreditation Managers in the Accreditation and International Activities Division (AIA), National Organic Program (NOP), Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).  The AIA Division is responsible for the review and accreditation of organic certification agencies in accordance with the Organic Food Production Act of 1990 (OFPA) and NOP regulations. The division is also responsible for training accredited certifying agents and other technical personnel involved with organic certification, certifier accreditation, and recognized accrediting bodies.

The positions are located in Washington, DC.  The announcements open on October 1, and close on October 10.

Case Exam (all sources)

Merit Promotion (current Federal employees)

AIA Staff (from left): Renee Gebault King, Renee Mann, Robert Yang, Cheri Courtney, Mario Essig, Janna Howley, Lars Crail.

The NOP welcomes three new staff members to its Accreditation and International Activities (AIA) Division, and congratulates another on a recent promotion.

In May, 2014, Renee Mann was selected for the AIA Assistant Division Director position. Renee has been with the NOP since 2010, having worked in the Compliance and Enforcement and AIA Divisions. She earned a degree in Molecular Environmental Biology from the University of California Berkeley and worked for the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) before coming to the NOP. Congratulations, Renee!

During the summer, NOP welcomed three new Accreditation Managers to the AIA Division.

Janna Howley comes to NOP from the University of Maryland Extension Service, where she worked with Maryland growers and processors on legislative, regulatory and food safety issues. Before that, she worked for FRESHFARM Markets, Center for a Livable Future, and Whole Foods Markets. Janna has a Master's Degree in Food Studies and Agricultural Systems from New York University and a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and Political Science from Goucher College.

Renee Gebault King comes to NOP from the University of Wyoming where she completed her Ph.D. in Soil Science. She also has a Master's Degree in Meat Science and Human Nutrition and a Bachelor of Science in Animal Science and Livestock Production from the University of Wyoming. She has worked as a meat and food science instructor and as an organic inspector for several certifiers.

Robert Yang comes to NOP from Pennsylvania Certified Organic, where he was the Director of Quality and Certification Program Development. Prior to that, Robert worked in the organic industry as a certification director and organic processing consultant in both South Korea and Pennsylvania. Robert earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Landscape Design from Woosuk University in South Korea.

Welcome Janna, Renee and Robert!

USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) facilitates the competitive and efficient marketing of agricultural products. Through its National Organic Program, AMS facilitates trade and ensures the integrity of organic agricultural products by consistently implementing organic standards and enforcing compliance with the regulations throughout the world. Learn more.

The USDA Organic Insider informs the organic community on a wide range of functions, including regulatory updates, requests for public comments, and USDA programs and services.

You are receiving this email because you elected to receive selected updates from the Agricultural Marketing Service. You may manage your profile to receive additional updates or unsubscribe at any time by using the links below.