The incumbent is responsible for supervising staff performance in the planning, developing, and directing of FAS programs, analyses, and policies. The incumbent confers with senior management within FAS and USDA to ensure that workflow is efficient and effective and work products provide senior-level decision makers with accurate and timely policy and technical advice on specific policies, program analyses, strategies/alternatives, and related issues.

Duties

The incumbent’s primary function is to support the Senior Director in supervising the operations of the office and its staff. Coordinate the development and implementation of Program Area and FAS policies, strategies/alternatives and related issues. Plan, organize and direct programs and policies to achieve FAS goals and objectives within the Trade Policy and Geographic Affairs Program Area, and to work effectively with management to accept and implement recommendations. Coordinate the development and implementation of the Program Area and FAS program policies, strategies/alternatives and related issues. Analyzes urgent problems and issues; calls attention to potential advantages or disadvantages of utilizing a particular course of action under varying situations; and recommends alternative actions. Conducts research, develops facts and, on the basis thereof develops courses of action to resolve special problems referred to the Senior Director for objective executive determination. Directs the formulation and development of recommendations for complex policies for the handling of all functions assigned. Results of work are critical to the mission of the agency. Initiates and directs staff members in the application of procedural rules, guidelines and policies and the interrelationships between Agency program and administrative policies and procedures as required Travels overseas as appropriate to engage foreign governments, stakeholders, and international organizations on issues affecting U.S. agriculture, negotiate and enforce trade agreements, and assess the impact of USDA’s trade policy strategies.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

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. 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 THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Experience leading or supervising a team including planning, organizing, and evaluating work. Experience briefing more senior leaders to obtain their support for recommended courses of action. Experience with private sector, state, or U.S. government entities engaged in international trade. Experience facilitating communication and collaboration among different work units and government agencies to build consensus, identify policy options, and develop strategies to fulfill the mission of the organization. Experience with identifying and/or developing ways to resolve problems or cope with issues which directly affect the accomplishment of division goals and objectives. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Foreign Agricultural Service Human Capital Management Division 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Tanesha Tillman
• Phone: 202-572-5986
• Email: [email protected]