International Programs Specialist.

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS); Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 52,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) seeks candidates to provide technical support in international program areas such as trade finance, capacity building, and scientific exchange. The role includes coordinating capacity-building efforts and delivering training and technical assistance to partners.

Successful candidates will assist with financial administration, compliance, and the development and implementation of cooperative activities with USDA agencies, academic institutions, and foreign

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support and expertise in one or more program areas, such as international trade finance; agricultural trade capacity building programs; scientific exchange initiatives; and related international development activities.
• Assist with the coordination and implementation of agricultural capacity building and scientific exchange programs, including helping deliver science based training and technical assistance.
• Support the administration of program financial requirements and internal controls by helping ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Contribute to the negotiation, development, and implementation of agreements and cooperative activities involving FAS, other USDA agencies, academic institutions and international or foreign counterparts.
• Provide information, participate in briefings, and represent program areas in discussions with internal and external partners as assignments become more complex.

Job description

• 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.
• Provide technical support and expertise in one or more program areas, such as international trade finance; agricultural trade capacity building programs; scientific exchange initiatives; and related international development activities.
• Assist with the coordination and implementation of agricultural capacity building and scientific exchange programs, including helping deliver science based training and technical assistance.
• Support the administration of program financial requirements and internal controls by helping ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Contribute to the negotiation, development, and implementation of agreements and cooperative activities involving FAS, other USDA agencies, academic institutions and international or foreign counterparts.
• Provide information, participate in briefings, and represent program areas in discussions with internal and external partners as assignments become more complex.

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.
• Provide technical support and expertise in one or more program areas, such as international trade finance; agricultural trade capacity building programs; scientific exchange initiatives; and related international development activities.
• Assist with the coordination and implementation of agricultural capacity building and scientific exchange programs, including helping deliver science based training and technical assistance.
• Support the administration of program financial requirements and internal controls by helping ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Contribute to the negotiation, development, and implementation of agreements and cooperative activities involving FAS, other USDA agencies, academic institutions and international or foreign counterparts.
• Provide information, participate in briefings, and represent program areas in discussions with internal and external partners as assignments become more complex.

Requirements

Conditions of employment

• 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.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served.
• 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/
• This is an *office-centered position*--you must physically report to the duty station stated in this announcement on a regular basis.

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.

FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level), which may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, that demonstrates all the following: assisted with program or project support for international or agricultural development or trade activities; helped collect and organize information for capacity-building or technical assistance work; and used written or oral communication to share basic program information or support team tasks. Experience may be from the public or private sector.

OR 1 full year of graduate level education.

OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND must meet certain GPA requirements.

TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 grade level), which may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, that demonstrates all the following: conducts research, gathers data, and provides inputs for reports, briefings, and analytical products; implementing, coordinating, and evaluating agricultural assistance programs; conducts assessments and provides initial interpretations of international trade issues, conditions, and events.

OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree.

OR 2 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.B. or J.D., if related.

TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 grade level), that demonstrates all the following: program or project management support activities such as designing, implementing, monitoring, or evaluating international or agricultural development or trade programs; draft or review documents or agreements for capacity-building or technical assistance; assisted in providing technical information or training to stakeholders; written and oral communication to present findings or support program discussions.

OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree.

OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree or LL.M., if related.

TO QUALIFY AT THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must possess one full year (52 weeks) of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 grade level), that demonstrates all the following: independently carried out program or project management activities such as design, implementation, monitoring, or evaluation for international or agricultural development or trade programs; led or contributed to developing, negotiating, and implementing capacity-building or technical assistance agreements; provided technical leadership and consultation for program activities in rural development, natural resources management, scientific exchange, or trade; and used written and oral communication to present findings, recommend activities, and represent an organization in discussions with internal and external partners.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

TRANSCRIPTS Are Required If

• You are qualifying for the position based on education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education.
• You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement.
• This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university.

COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07 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 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.

Additional information

• Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the
• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• This position is being concurrently announced under Merit Promotion Announcement Number MP-13031149-26-FAS-DJ. Current or former Federal employees or other eligible applicants may apply to both announcements to expand all possibilities of consideration since different referral criteria apply to each type of announcement. See the above announcement for more information.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will NOT be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee.
• Telework eligibility is based on current USDA policy.
• Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• Recruitment or Relocation Incentives will NOT be considered.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this announcement.
• This position is in a bargaining unit with American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), Local 3976.
• For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.