Agricultural Specialist

US-Farm-Service-Agenc; Colchester (VT); On-site; USD 45,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Farm Service Agency, Vermont State Office, Operations Branch in Colchester, VT is seeking a qualified candidate to plan, direct, and administer primary and related agricultural commodity and loan programs. The selectee will analyze program requirements, assist in developing procedures, and serve as a point of contact for program interpretation.

Eligibility must be demonstrated by the closing date. Experience and education options are listed in the qualifications, including specialized

Qualifications

• Specialized experience at the GS-7: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-5 level in the Federal service.
• OR Superior Academic Achievement with specific GPA or class standing requirements (transcripts must be submitted).
• OR Education: One year of graduate education or a master's degree with a major in dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or related fields (transcripts required).
• OR Combination: A combination of graduate education and experience as listed above.
• Specialized Experience at the GS-9: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-7 level.
• Education: Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's degree with a major in listed agricultural fields.
• OR Combination: Combination of graduate education and experience as listed above.
• Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work; credit is given for qualifying experience.

Responsibilities

• Plan, direct, and administer all aspects of primary and related agricultural commodity programs.
• Administer agricultural loan programs carried out by the State FSA Office.
• Provide information and support for program policies and procedures.

Skills

Specialized experience GS-7

Specialized experience GS-9

Technical advice

Education

Bachelor's degree in dairy science/agricultural field

Graduate education or master's degree in agriculture

Job description

This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, Vermont State Office, Operations Branch, located in Colchester, Chittenden County, Vermont.

The selectee participates in and shares in the responsibility for planning, directing, and administering all aspects of primary and related agricultural commodity programs and agricultural loan programs carried out by the State FSA Office.

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.

Specialized Experience at the GS-7: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-5 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience 1) presenting information and responding to questions on topics involving assigned program responsibilities; 2) providing information on the status of automated loan and supporting program applications; 3) assisting in the preparation of procedures, supplements, instructions and forms for use in administration of programs; and 4) assisting in researching program information to prepare calculations for reports;

OR Superior Academic Achievement: Superior Academic Achievement from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas; with either: 1) a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 based on a 4.0 scale; 2) a 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; 3) class standing of upper third of the graduating class in the college, university, or major subdivision of the college; 4) membership in a National Scholastic Honor Society certified by the Association of College Honor Societies, excluding freshman honor societies. (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS);

OR Education: Successful completion of one year of graduate education OR a master's degree or higher graduate degree with a major field of study as listed above. (MUST SUBMIT TRANSCRIPTS);

OR Combination: A combination of graduate education and experience as listed above

Specialized Experience at the GS-9: One full-time year of specialized work experience equivalent in difficulty and responsibility to the GS-7 level in the Federal service. Specialized experience 1) providing technical advice and assistance on less complex matters concerning loan making and servicing methods; 2) participating in processing foreclosures and other legal actions; 3) utilizing automated system(s) to maintain crop tables; and 4) serving as the first point of contact for program interpretation on questions within assigned program areas;

Education: Two full academic years of progressively higher level graduate education or master's or equivalent graduate degree from an accredited college or university with a major field of study in dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas;

OR Combination: Combination of graduate education and experience as listed above.

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.