This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, Massachusetts State Office, Farm Loan Program Branch, located in Hadley, Hampshire County, Massachusetts. This position manages and directs the Farm Loan Programs administered in one or more USDA Service Centers providing services to one or more counties in the State.

Duties

Serves as the Service Center technical authority on the Farm Loan Programs and the primary point-of-contact on all farm loan issues addressed in the counties serviced. Supervises and directs the work of a subordinate staff responsible for making, servicing, and liquidating loans under FSA farm loan authorities. Has delegated loan approval authority and performs the full range of loan specialist duties. Attends public meetings with various groups and associations, and performs public relations and outreach efforts in the geographic areas serviced. Applies knowledge of the technical and administrative concepts, principles, and practices of farm loan and financial management. Applies knowledge of farm operations, land use and value, and production and marketing of various crops and livestock.

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.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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/.
• CONFIDENTIAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE REPORT: If selected for this position, you will be required to submit an Annual Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter.
• This Position Requires "Agricultural Loan Approval Authority".

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date 08/28/2024 of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined. For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-11 level in the Federal service. Experience that demonstrates competence in agricultural loans. Experience reviewing and passing upon applications for various kinds of agricultural operations representing all types of ownership (i.e., single owner, partnerships, and corporations, etc.); servicing an agricultural loan portfolio of a bank or other loan association. In addition, experience must demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the technicalities of farm financing and credit, farm operations, land use and value, production of various crops and livestock, and prices and markets in the farming area where loans are made and serviced In addition to the above requirements; applicants must meet the below Selective Placement Factor Requirement: MANDATORY SELECTIVE PLACEMENT FACTOR:Must possess or have possessed Agricultural Loan Approval Authority. NOTE: Your resume must specifically address the experiences and Selective Placement Factor needed to be considered. Failure to document may result in an ineligible rating. 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. 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, knowledge, and skills 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

THE SUBSTITUTION OF EDUCATION IS NOT QUALIFYING FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL.

Contacts

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