This position provides technical support in one or more FAS areas of responsibility to include coordinating and implementing agricultural trade capacity building programs and scientific exchanges; providing science-based training and technical assistance to policy makers and members of the private sector from foreign countries; and/or negotiating and coordinating agreements between USDA agencies and academic institutions and foreign equivalents.

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: Serves as a FAS senior specialist; performs strategic planning, analyses, reviews, project support, and associated functions which contribute to the accomplishment of the agency mission. Initiates and develops agreements authorizing cost-reimbursable and cooperative activities with U.S. universities, U.S. agricultural industry associations, international organizations and other funding partners. Serves as primary liaison with external partners to implement agreements. Initiates and develops statement of work for contracting officers to enter into contractual arrangements with private sector providers in support of international agricultural and scientific capacity building programs. Coordinates the activities of elements involved in research, training, planning, implementation, evaluation, and promulgation of USDA international trade capacity building and scientific exchange programs. Leads project teams in conducting of reviews of activities and programs to ensure programs are operated in the most efficient manner and provide the best possible services. Coordinates and participates with USDA staff and action agencies in executing short- and long-range planning programs and actions.

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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• 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 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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: There is no basic educational requirement for this position. TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-13 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, and which demonstrates all the following: Experience applying the theories and practices of internal program management to implement, coordinate, and evaluate agricultural development programs and technical assistance programs. Experience providing technical leadership and representation for a program area, including formulating guidelines, implementing new developments, and providing policy interpretation and recommendations to management. Experience utilizing knowledge of program and grants management to design, plan, execute, and report on assigned projects, including historical research, formulation of operational and organizational concepts, and conducting studies and evaluations. Experience utilizing knowledge of U.S. agricultural trade and capacity building to interpret and analyze international trade and capacity building issues. Experience communicating, both orally and written, on issues affecting the implementation of trade capacity building programs. 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: Eric Hoyt
• Phone: (202) 777-9063
• Email: [email protected]