1 position is located in the State Office of Mount Laurel, New Jersey or Hackettstown, New Jersey and 1 position in the State Office of Morgantown, West Virginia in USDA/Rural Development (RD). The Community & Economic Development Specialist supports economic development initiatives to maximize Rural Development's financial assistance advancing rural prosperity. This position is neither remote, nor virtual. The employee will be expected to report in person to the assigned duty location.

Duties

Meet, engage, and build relationships and strategies with federal and state organizations, local communities, business and nonprofit organizations, and private sector for long-term economic development. Handles complex projects that cross multiple programs and multiple entities in the public, private and non-profit sectors. Plan, develop, and deliver outreach presentations to interest groups such as state, community or economic development organizations, state, county and local organizations, lenders, and the like. Perform moderate in-state travel for attendance at meetings, events, site visits, and trainings. Serve as advisor to the State Director concerning rural issues within the state and represent Rual Development on various local, state, and federal groups and associations. Facilitate information sharing among public and private sectors to increase awareness of loan and grant programs and incentives for business development in rural areas.

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/

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. Resume that includes:1) personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment (month/year); title, series, grade (if applicable); 4) other qualifications. For GS-11 Grade Level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-09 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates experience working on rural or community economic development issues as an individual or team member. Maintains strategic partnerships with other federal and state agencies and organizations, local communities, business and nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and the private sector to maximize economic development opportunities in rural communities. Experience with project management from development, oversight and completion. Experience in writing, editing, and reviewing presentations, outreach materials, government/professional internal and external correspondence, talking points, or questions and answers. Experience in delivering training and outreach to various interest groups such as state, community or economic development organizations, employees of state, county and local organizations, lenders, attorneys. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M, if related OR a combination of education as described and specialized experience. For GS-12 Grade Level: Applicants must possess one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-11 grade level; or its non-Federal equivalent that demonstrates experience advising on rural and community economic development issues. Advises the use of various sources of alternative or supplemental funding, such as federal, state, or local loan and/or grant providers, non-profit organizations, and private lenders to maximize rural community economic development opportunities. Facilitates information sharing among public and private sectors to increase awareness of loan and grant programs and incentives for business and economic development. Ability to meet, engage and effectively build relationships, strategies and partnerships with other federal and state agencies and organizations, local communities, business and nonprofit organizations, colleges and universities, and the private sector for long-term rural community and economic development. Experience with project management from development, oversight and completion. Experience in writing, editing, and reviewing presentations, outreach materials, government/professional internal and external correspondence, talking points, or questions and answers. Experience in planning, developing, implementing, and delivering training and outreach to various interest groups such as state, community or economic development organizations, employees of state, county and local organizations, lenders, attorneys. There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level. NOTE: To be considered for this position, you must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements for the GS-0301 series set forth in the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualification Standards by the closing date of the announcement. A copy is available at: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards 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

For GS-11 Grade Level: A transcript must be submitted with your application if you are basing all or part of your qualifications on education.

For GS-12 Grade Level: There is no substitution of education for experience at the GS-12 grade level.

Contacts

• Address Rural Development 1400 Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Barbara Rivera
• Email: [email protected]