This position is in the Specialty Crops Program, specifically within the Market Development Division. The Division oversees Research and Promotion (R&P) programs created to maintain and expand markets for specialty crop commodities. Programs develop generic promotion, research, consumer education, industry information, and develop new products. The incumbent will work in a fast-paced environment, reviewing marketing communications, contracts, and financial statements, and drafting rulemaking.

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: Attends board meetings for assigned programs; and often times these meetings cover controversial and precedent-setting issues. Reviews board marketing communications, and research and education studies/projects submitted for the Secretary’s approval to ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory and Department policy requirement. Receives and processes board member nominations and related information, and prepares a list of nominees for submission to the Secretary for appointment to a commodity promotion board. Prepares notice and comment rulemaking for proposed commodity promotion programs and amendments to current programs. Monitors board enforcement activities to ensure that they are effective and impartial and the proprietary information is not disclosed.

Requirements

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Satisfactory Background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one-year trial 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/
• Selectee will be subject to a pre-employment medical statement and/or exam.
• Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

Qualifications

To qualify, you MUST meet all program and qualification requirements by the closing date of the announcement. To be eligible, applicants must meet one of the following requirements. Completed all requirements for an associates, bachelors, masters, professional, doctorate, vocational, or technical degree or certificate from a qualifying educational institution within the previous two (2) years. OR Individuals who, due to military service obligation, were precluded from applying to the Recent Graduates Program during any portion of the 2-year eligibility period described above shall have a full 2-year period of eligibility upon release or discharge from active duty. This eligibility period cannot extend more than 6 years from the date on which the requirements for the academic course of study were met. TRANSCRIPTS are required. SPECIALIZED EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 GRADE LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience equivalent in level of difficulty and responsibility to the next lower level in the Federal Service. This experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors. Examples of qualifying experience include, but are not limited to: Experience reviewing agricultural marketing campaigns including advertising, consumer education programs, and other promotional materials. Experience presenting information to individuals and groups through written and oral communications. Experience developing policy or regulatory documents to describe and establish legal requirements. Experience drafting memos and other formal correspondence for both internal and external groups to communicate industry developments. Experience maintaining confidential and sensitive information such as personally identifiable information, trade secrets, and non-public market information. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree in Marketing, Agriculture,, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Business, Communications, Finance, Political Science or related field of study. OR 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree. OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-09 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 an applicant for that grade level. Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed graduate education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify an applicant 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 above for education qualification requirement information.

Transcripts including the date your degree was conferred are required. Applications will not be considered without this documentation.

Contacts

• Address Agricultural Marketing Service USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite 410 Minneapolis, MN 55401 US
• Name: MRP Human Resources
• Phone: 612-336-3227
• Email: [email protected]