These positions are located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), Office of the Deputy Administrator - Global Market Analysis (GMA), Global Commodity Analysis Division (GCA) in Washington, DC. The incumbent(s) provide objective intelligence on foreign market conditions, prepare trade and production forecasts, assess export opportunities, and track changes in policies affecting U.S. agricul­tural exports and imports.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Performs research, analysis, and associated functions which contribute to the accomplishment of the agency’s mission to expand and maintain international market opportunities for U.S. agriculture. Applies professional economic techniques and principles to analyze factors and conditions impacting the competitive posture of the U.S. agricultural industry in international trade. Analyzes data to evaluate consistency with federal objectives, policies, and legislation. Formulates conclusions and recommendations for consideration by senior officials to make decisions, writes portions of reports, and responds to inquiries. Conducts in-depth analysis for use in the formulation of U.S. agricultural trade policy positions and recommendations. Produces written and oral interpretive reports on agricultural trade policy issues. Maintains up-to-date knowledge of economic practices and theories through review of government, scholarly, and private sector literature.

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
• 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/
• 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 are conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.
• This position is a bargaining with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 3976.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. BASIC REQUIREMENT: Degree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus. -OR- Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. In addition to meeting the Basic Requirement, you also need to meet the following: TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, which demonstrates experience with all the following: Applying economic theories, concepts, and techniques in a professional setting. Assisting with collecting, evaluating, and analyzing current and historical trends of economic or agricultural data. Preparing tables, charts, graphs, or maps to illustrate or support analytical conclusions. Experience working with and manipulating data from numerous sources or databases. Writing, reviewing, or editing economic or agricultural reports and other written materials. -OR- SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION FOR EXPERIENCE: Three (3) years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree or Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree -OR- COMBINATION OF EDUCATION AND SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE: Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for this grade level. TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-12 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, which demonstrates experience with all the following: Applying economic techniques and principles using mathematical and/or econometric models, statistical techniques, and software in a professional setting. Independently collecting, evaluating, and analyzing current and historical trends of economic or agricultural data. Preparing and presenting tables, charts, graphs, or maps to illustrate or support analytical conclusions in a professional environment. Utilizing database management systems to access, manipulate, and interpret data for use in policy proposals or research projects. Preparing written reports or other written materials analyzing economic or agricultural market conditions; OR writing or reviewing economic studies, working papers, briefing papers, talking points, or decision reports. Note: Substitution of education for specialized experience is not applicable at this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field to be basically qualified. You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-11 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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

Please see Qualifications Section above for educational requirements.

Contacts

• Address Foreign Agricultural Service Human Capital Management Division 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Eric Hoyt
• Phone: (202) 777-9063
• Email: [email protected]