AGRICULTURAL PROGRAM SPECIALIST

Summary This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, North Dakota State Office, located in Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota. The selectee plans, administers and reviews all aspects of the farm program activities. This is a bargaining unit position represented by AFGE L888 Responsibilities Provide technical leadership, consultation, and oversight. Analyze and interpret provisions on current and proposed national program policies, procedures and regulations to determine their applicability to and impact on program administration in the State. Attend meetings and develop and maintain contacts with various governmental agencies, producers and trade organizations. Provide technical guidance and assistance as needed with programs' and automated applications. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. Individual Occupational Requirement 1. Education: Undergraduate Education: Major study -- economics, agricultural economics, marketing, business administration, animal or poultry science/husbandry, agronomy, soil science, or related curricula dealing with the production and distribution of farm products. Graduate Education: Major study -- dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas. OR 2. Experience: Experience that demonstrated: Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs and of the particular application of national policies and objectives at the State level; Understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; Knowledge of current State and Federal agricultural trends; and Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with representatives of public and private organizations, farmers' associations, and others, and to interpret regulations, programs, and policies affecting them. Examples of qualifying experience include: Agricultural extension work as a subject-matter specialist, county agent, or assistant or associate county agent. Teacher of vocational agriculture. District director, State program specialist, or county office employee performing duties in the operational phases of farm programs such as production adjustment, price support, and conservation. Experience at the county, district, or State government levels in the operational phases of farm programs of the type carried out through such agencies as the Soil Conservation Service, Farmers Home Administration, or related programs. In addition to meeting one of the Individual Occupational Requirements listed above, applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered: For the GS-9: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs to assist in the determination of the application of national policies and objectives at the State level; Understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; Experience communicating with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to provide agricultural program information affecting them. OR Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas: OR A combination of graduate education and experience as listed above. For the GS-11: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-9 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience which demonstrates knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs to assist in applying national policies and objectives at the State level; Understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; Experience working with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to interpret agricultural regulations, programs, and policies affecting them. OR Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas. OR A combination of graduate education and experience as listed above. For the GS-12: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs to serve as an advisor on the application of national policies and objectives at the State level; Understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; Experience maintaining relationships with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to interpret agricultural regulations, programs, and policies affecting them. Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement 11/13/2024 including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined. Time in grade: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. For more information on the qualifications for this position, click here: http://www.opm.gov/qualifications/Standards/group-stds/gs-admin.asp 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 If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements for the GS-9 or GS-11: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method, CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. 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. CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a security investigation and a credit report. This position is eligible for telework within the local commuting area of the position and other flexible work arrangements. Current USDA policy includes telework for an 8 hour work day, 4 days per week; other flexibilities are possible dependent upon availability and/or the position and its associated duties. Employee participation is at the discretion of the supervisor. Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.