Agricultural Program Specialist
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Job Location:
Amherst, MA - USA
Yearly Salary:
$ 108610 - 156124
Posted on:
Yesterday
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Summary
This position is located in the Farm Service Agency Office of the State Executive Director located in the following locations:
Amherst Hampshire County Massachusetts
Colchester Chittenden County Vermont
Please Note: Position is to be shared between Vermont and Massachusetts so the the duty station will be either Colchester VT or Amherst MA.
- The selectee administers and advises on Agricultural Programs. Manages and directs the administration of assigned programs and related activities throughout the State.
- Provides administrative and technical supervision to a subordinate staff of support personnel.
- Serves as the expert advisor to the State Executive Director (SED) and State Committee (STC) on all Statewide programs within the functional area.
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. If selected you may be sent instructions on obtaining fingerprints. Please note we are unable to reimburse for any fees incurred.
- Successful completion of one-year probationary period unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
- 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 .
- Subject to one year supervisory probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New FSA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
- Required to submit Confidential Financial Disclosure Report Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date and annually thereafter.
Qualifications
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 Managements General Schedule Qualification Standards. Education: Undergraduate Education: Major study - economics agricultural economics marketing business administration animal or poultry science/husbandry agronomy soil science or related curricula dealing with the production and distribution of farm products. Graduate Education: Major study -- dairy science agricultural marketing domestic agricultural development farm management agronomy or other agricultural specialty areas; OR 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.
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:
In addition to meeting one of the Individual Occupational Requirements listed above applicants must meet the following Minimum Qualifications Requirement in order to be considered:
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-13 level: You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as experience that involved work in directing developing reviewing administering and coordinating programs which demonstrate 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.
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.
Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement.
Education
This job does not have an education qualification requirement.
Additional information
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP/RPL eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP candidates must be rated and determined to be well qualified (or above) based on an evaluation of the competencies listed in the How You Will Be Evaluated section. When assessed through a score-based category rating method CTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100.
Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.
Locality Pay: The salary for each location may vary depending on geographically defined locality pay areas. Locality tables may be found at Office of Personnel Management Salaries and Wages.
Financial Disclosure: If selected you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR Part 2635 Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants borrowers or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.
Telework: This position is not eligible for telework.
Incentives: Recruitment and/or relocation incentives may be authorized.
Bargaining Unit: This is a non-bargaining unit position.
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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
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.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- GIS
- Engineering
- Engineering Practices
- Data Collection
- Irrigation Systems
- Agriculture
- CAD
- GPS
- Water Quality
- Biology
- Nursery
- Emergency maitenance
- Technical Assistance
- Watetr conservation
- Agricultural Equipment
