This FAS position provides scientific leadership and USDA representation to a team of highly-specialized U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) specialists located within the USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) that improve food security and increase impact of humanitarian assistance programs totaling more than $7 billion annually.

Duties

The duties described are for the full-performance level. The duties may include but are not limited to: Directs and participates in critical field-level crop tour assessments of the agroclimatological situation as it relates to food security. Assesses the efficacy of remote sensing and modeling tools in representing actual field conditions. Makes expert recommendations to inter-agency agroclimatology teams on how to improve methods and practices. Sets science and technology goals for operational and applied research activities of FEWS NET agroclimatological partners. Supports the development and implementation of special studies and strategic analysis to identify and document key lessons learned, best practices, and innovations that should be mainstreamed. Coordinates agroclimatological applications for food security assessments with other offices and programs of USAID. Prepares and presents agroclimatology briefings for technical and program management audiences. Develops statements of work and budgets that meets the unique requirements of FEWS NET for forecasting and monitoring growing conditions in FEWS NET countries. Provides operational oversight of programs to ensure USAIDs responsibilities and obligations are met and oversees technical and non-technical contractor activities support program implementation.

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.
• 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/
• Successful completion of one-year trial period.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

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. BASIC REQUIREMENT: A degree in one of the following: biological sciences, agriculture, natural resource management, chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position such as geography, environmental systems/studies, remote sensing & GIS, Earth system science, OR global change studies. OR Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education. FOR THE GS-14 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-13 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Applying collaborative problem solving, technology transfer, and policies for data access and management; Experience in written and oral communication skills with government agencies and/or private sector; Experience in exhibiting tact, diplomacy, and resourcefulness in dealing with high-level officials of international organizations AND Conducting collaborative research, education, extension, or capacity-building activities related to agricultural sciences such as geography, hydrology, atmospheric science, or agroclimatology. Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: This position requires specific coursework or a degree in a specific field. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: 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. 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

Education Accreditation: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited towards qualifications. Applicants must report attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. To verify your college/university accreditation, please visit: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.

Foreign Education: Education completed in colleges or universities outside of the United States may be used to meet the education requirements. You must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. Failure to do so may result in an ineligible rating.

Contacts

• Address Foreign Agricultural Service Human Capital Management Division 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Erricka Generoso
• Email: [email protected]