USDA Agricultural Marketing Service seeks a Grants Division Director committed to staff development and organizational excellence to lead grants for local and regional foods, supply chain infrastructure, and other agricultural marketing activities. The Director supervises a dynamic team of grants specialists and project managers, advises senior leaders, and increases the public's understanding of the grant application and post-award processes for federal financial assistance.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Sharing responsibility with the Deputy Administrator for formulation and execution of the programs, policies, and processes of the Grants Division, which operates the full range of pre-award and post-award functions. Serving as a consultant and advisor to the Administrator and other Department officials on matters relating to Grants Division activities. Representing the Deputy Administrator and Associate Deputy Administrator in formulating and administering long-range and current policies and programs relating to grant programs. Investigating innovative means to increase efficiency, promote evaluation and impacts analysis, and reduce reporting burden for grants, while ensuring government-wide priorities are met. Recommending changes to update and correct deficiencies to the Grants Division's policies, guidelines, and procedures. Providing guidance and decisions in establishing priorities and procedures involving policy, setting deadlines concerning negotiation, execution, and post-administration of grant agreements. Providing expert management advice to the Deputy Administrator on broad and complex grant administration and systems issues within a wide-range of AMS programs. Identifying and recommending training, resources, technological, and process improvements to promote efficiency gains in grants management across all grant programs. Ensuring adequate managerial and financial controls in accordance with applicable policy and directives concerning budget, federal assistance, procurement, personnel, and other administrative matters.

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.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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/.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• 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

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. 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. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Demonstrated supervisory experience, overseeing technical, programmatic, and administrative supervisors and staff, from a junior to a senior level. Experience leading teams through organizational growth and change, in high-pressure, high-visibility, high-volume work environments with limited resources. Experience using and applying laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and methods governing the administration of Federal grant agreements and awards, including creating, gathering data, and reporting on outcomes measures. Experience applying analytical and evaluative methods to improve the efficiency of grant agreement program processes and grants management systems, including developing stand operating procedures and/or training programs. Experience creating briefing materials, reports, public presentations, and/or outreach materials for senior leaders, members of Congress, members of the public, and/or grant recipients to improve understanding of programs, increase accessibility and equity, and/or compliance with regulations. Note: There is no education substitution for this 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

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]