Agricultural Program Specialist

US Farm Service Agency; College Station (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

The US Farm Service Agency in College Station, TX seeks a qualified candidate to plan, administer, and review all aspects of the farm program activities at the State level. The position requires understanding of agricultural laws, regulations, and national policies and effectiveness in communicating with public and private stakeholders.

Education in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness or Agricultural Communications is required; specialized experience at GS-07/09/11 levels

Qualifications

• Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs and their application at the State level.
• Understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and the economic needs of farm communities at the State level.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with public and private organizations, farmers' associations, and others, and to interpret regulations, programs, and policies affecting them.
• Experience communicating with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to provide agricultural program information.

Responsibilities

• Plans, administers, and reviews all aspects of the farm program activities.
• Advises on applicability of national policies and objectives at the State level.
• Interprets regulations, programs, and policies for stakeholders.

Skills

Knowledge of laws & regulations for Ag

State-level farming practices & needs

Stakeholder communication & relations

Education

Undergraduate Education: Agricultural Science

Graduate Education: Agricultural Economics

Graduate Education: Agribusiness

Graduate Education: Agricultural Communications

Job description

This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, College Station, Brazos County, Texas.

The selectee plans, administers and reviews all aspects of the farm program activities. In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.

Basic Requirement: GS-1145 Series

Education:

Undergraduate Education: Major study -- Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Communications.

Graduate Education: Major study -- Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Communications. OR

Experience:

Experience that demonstrated:

• Knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs and of the particular application of national policies and objectives at the State level;
• Understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level;
• Knowledge of current State and Federal agricultural trends; and
• Ability to establish and maintain effective relationships with representatives of public and private organizations, farmers' associations, and others, and to interpret regulations, programs, and policies affecting them.

In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement For the GS-09 grade level:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: experience that demonstrates intermediate knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs to assist in the determination of the application of national policies and objectives at the State level; Intermediate understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; Experience communicating with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to provide agricultural program information affecting them.

Education at the GS-09 grade level:

Two full academic years of progressively higher education or master's equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Communications.

Combination of Education and Experience:

A combination of education and experience as listed above.

For the GS-11 grade level:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: experience which demonstrates considerable knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs to assist in applying national policies and objectives at the State level; Considerable understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; Experience working with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to interpret agricultural regulations, programs, and policies affecting them.

Education at the GS-11 grade level:

Three full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or Ph.D., or equivalent doctoral degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study with Agricultural Science, Agricultural Economics, Agribusiness, Agricultural Communications.

Combination of Education and Experience:

A combination of education and experience as listed above.

For the GS-12 grade level:

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as: experience that demonstrates expert knowledge of the laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and conservation programs to serve as an advisor on the application of national policies and objectives at the State level; Expert level understanding of farming practices and customs in the United States, and of the economic needs of farm communities at the State level; Experience maintaining relationships with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to interpret agricultural regulations, programs, and policies affecting them.

Education cannot be substituted for experience at the GS-12 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.