This is an Urban Agricultural County Program Analyst position. Located in the Harris FSA County Office, in Houston, Texas. Major responsibilities for this position would include serving as an expert in the following areas: Cultivation, processing, and distribution of agricultural products in urban and suburban settings, including things like vertical production, warehouse farms, community gardens, rooftop farms, hydroponic, aeroponic, and aquaponic facilities, and other innovations.

Duties

Carrying out activities and functions pertaining to one or more of the Urban and Suburban Agriculture program areas administered in the county. Interpreting and explaining procedures, program regulations and forms to producers and other agency personnel. Utilizing various web-based software applications to maintain producer data and processing automated forms. Using a high degree of initiative and judgment in planning and carrying out assigned tasks and resolving problems encountered. Serve as a central resource for expert guidance, coordination, and assistance at the county office level for assigned programs.

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/.
• Must be a high school graduate, or have a GED.
• Must be 18 years of age, or 17 years of age for high school graduates.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date in the announcement, including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified below: You may start at the CO-05 level if you have one of the following qualifications: Successful completion of four years of education above high school in an accredited business, secretarial or technical, junior college, college or university in any field in which high school graduation or the equivalent is a prerequisite or bachelor's degree from such an accredited college or university. OR At least one year of general work experience in support of projects, programs, or assignments providing a requisite knowledge of agricultural operations, agricultural management, governmental programs, or related office and customer service functions that indicate the ability to: analyze problems, gather pertinent data, and recognize solutions; plan and organize work; resolve conflict; communicate effectively both orally and in writing. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. You may start at the CO-07 level if you have one of the following qualifications: Successful completion of one full year of graduate education from an accredited college or university. OR Superior Academic Achievement: A bachelor's degree in any field of study from an accredited college or university with either: grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; 3.5 GPA based on a 4.0 scale for required courses completed in a major field of study during the last two years of undergraduate study; class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. An applicant must submit an unofficial copy of their transcript at the initial phase of the application process demonstrating that they qualify based on superior academic achievement. If selected for the position, an official transcript must be provided from the college or university before the applicant entering on duty. OR One-year specialized experience equivalent to grade CO-5 or GS-5 level. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of basic principles, concepts, and methods of fact-finding, analysis, and problem-solving techniques as they apply to the analysis, evaluation, and application of agricultural program requirements. In addition, knowledge of and skill in applying analytical and evaluative techniques to assist in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural program operations to make recommendations for improvements. OR A combination of education and experience as described above. You may start at the CO-09 level if you have one of the following qualifications: A Master's or equivalent graduate degree or two full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree from an accredited college or university. OR One-year specialized experience equivalent to at least grade CO-7 or GS-7 in the federal service. Specialized experience is experience that demonstrates knowledge of agricultural program policies and practices to independently examine applications, supporting documents, and program reports. In addition, experience applying analytical and evaluative techniques to assist in assessing the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural program operations to make recommendations for improvements. OR A combination of education and experience as described above.

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. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.

Contacts

• Address Farm Service Agency - County Offices 2405 Texas Avenue South College Station, TX 77840 US
• Name: Kristy Simmons
• Phone: 979-680-5161
• Email: [email protected]