This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, Maryland State Office, Administrative Branch, located in Annapolis Anne Arundel, Maryland. The selectee is a key member of the State Executive Director's staff responsible for planning, developing, and implementing the outreach programs. Note: This position will service both Maryland and Delaware and be housed in Maryland.

Duties

Provides Farm Service Agency program information and guidance. Assists with program planning, implementation and development of State Office Policies and operating procedures. Assures policies are adapted as necessary to deliver the outreach programs. Assures programs are planned and administered to provide for equal opportunity for minority and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

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. If selected, you will be sent instruction on obtaining fingerprints. Please note, we are not able to reimburse any fees incurred for fingerprints.
• 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 E-Verify at https://www.e-verify.gov/.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date 02/19/2024 of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. For the GS-9 level: Two 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree (i.e., LLB, JD, LLM, PhD, etc.), from an accredited college or university with a major in human resources, social or behavioral sciences, or in such fields as business or public administration, political science, government, management, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or other fields related to the position such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock, ranch management, or rural sociology; OR 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 defined as basic knowledge of and skill in applying outreach regulations, policies, and procedures to assist in identifying barriers and assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural outreach efforts. In addition, basic knowledge of agriculture, and financial programs for minority and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers; OR A combination of education and experience as listed above. For the GS-11 level: Three full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education or a Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree (i.e., LLM, etc.) from an accredited college or university in human resources, social or behavioral sciences, or in such fields as business or public administration, political science, government, management, journalism, marketing, public affairs, or other fields related to the position such as agriculture, agricultural economics, farm, livestock, ranch management, or rural sociology; OR Specialized experience is defined as experience that demonstrates knowledge and skill in applying outreach policies and procedures to implement, review, and evaluate agricultural outreach initiatives as well as identify barriers and recommend actions to remove such barriers. In addition, knowledge of the economic and social problems of farmers and of the agricultural programs and services available to meet those needs; OR A combination of education and experience as listed above. For the GS-12 level: One full-time year of specialized public outreach experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 grade level in the Federal service. Specialized experience that demonstrates knowledge and skill in applying public affairs, outreach, policies, and precedents to formulate, implement, and evaluate an effective agricultural outreach and public affairs program including comprehensive public awareness and marketing campaigns using a broad array of communications techniques and delivery methods. In addition, knowledge of the economic and social problems of farmers and of the agricultural programs and services available to meet those needs. 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

College Transcript: If you are qualifying based on education, submit a copy of your college transcript that lists college courses detailing each course by the number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours and grade earned. You must submit with your application package evidence that any education completed in a foreign institution was appropriately accredited by an accredited body recognized by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. Education standards. You may submit an unofficial copy of the transcript at the initial phase of the application process; however, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for instructions on submitting the transcript.

Contacts

• Address Farm Service Agency 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Katya Bou-Sliman
• Email: [email protected]