The incumbent serves as Chief of Staff and, as such, plays a vital and critical role in advising the Deputy Administrator and other top Agency officials on key management and program issues and decision-making processes primarily as they relate to all aspects of the Specialty Crop Program (SCP).

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Monitors across-the-board program assignments related to the day-to-day management of Office of the Deputy Administrator and Program operations. Serves as SCP’s primary point of contact with USDA’s Office of Congressional Relations regarding legislative issues and congressional correspondence and requests for information. Reviews reports and correspondence of a legal nature prepared by SCP officials and specialists for approval or signature of the Deputy Administrator. Serves as primary point of contact with USDA’s Office of Communications. Creates and manages a communications plan and works closely with USDA's Office of Communications to implement. Participates with the Deputy Administrator and SCP management team to monitor and communicate critical program management decisions. Coordinates SCP planning efforts dealing with a variety of program issues and special initiatives. Prepares speeches and talking points for the Deputy Administrator. Facilitates topical or decision-point discussion groups. Ensures the preparation of a broad range of information resource documents critical to policy and decision-making processes at the Program level and beyond. Reviews, evaluates, and critiques contributions from various staffs to externally-required reports to ensure information correctly reflects Program and Agency policy perspectives and vision.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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/.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Travel may be required.

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: Communicating with internal and external stakeholders and tracking progress of high level, high priority, urgent, and/or controversial issues, problems, or situations. Reviewing and evaluating a broad range of program management issues and concerns and coordinating with senior management on potential solutions to identified issues. Coordinating across program efforts, insuring appropriate representation and transmission of plans and policies. Reviewing reports and correspondence of a legal nature for approval or signature of the Deputy Administrator to ensure completeness, consistency with current policy, policy implications and conformity with law, rules, and regulations. 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 Agricultural Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]