Duties

• The incumbent is responsible for federal administration of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
• Overseeing development and interpretation of federal legislation, regulations, and policy guidance and for development and execution of procedures to monitor State agencies and local program operators.
• Assessing and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and developing plans for enhancing program performance.
• Overseeing technical assistance, training, and grants in support of nutrition education, program operations, and technology/innovation.
• Leading national program response to unanticipated events, such as natural disasters, public health emergencies and other disruptions requiring program action or modification consistent with Congressional and Administration direction.
• Determining resource needs and allocating personnel, funding, and material to achieve overall work objectives.
• Duties include a variety of responsibilities, some carried out independently and others in concert and coordination with other FNS executives.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• Veterans Preference is not applicable in the Senior Executive Service.
• Initial appointments are required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Background Investigation required.

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME BASED method. Although applicants cannot address the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs) separately, evidence of each must be clearly demonstrated in the five (5) page resume.

Resume-Based Process: Applicants must show possession of the ECQs and any technical qualifications via resume. Your resume must reflect that you possess the ECQs and MTQs and give a synopsis of your accomplishments.

A sample 5-page executive level resume and ECQ narratives can be viewed at this link http://www.opm.gov/ses/references/GuidetoSESQuals_2012.pdf

To apply for this position you need only submit a resume which CANNOT exceed FIVE (5) pages using 1 inch margins and a 12 point font. Any information submitted in excess of five (5) pages WILL NOT be considered. You must submit a resume which provides evidence of how you possess the five Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) and Mandatory Technical Qualifications (MTQs). Additional information about the SES and Executive Core Qualifications can be found on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) SES Website .

As a basic requirement for entry into the SES, applicants must provide evidence of progressively responsible executive leadership and supervisory experience that is indicative of senior executive level management capability and directly related to the skills and abilities outlined under Executive Core Qualifications and Technical Qualifications listed below. This experience should reflect management of program or organization of significant scope and complexity. Please ensure that you communicate your experience in a manner that is clear, concise, and emphasizes your level of responsibility, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken, and level of contacts. Typically, experience of this nature will have been gained at or above the GS-15 grade level in the federal service or its equivalent in the private sector, with state and local government, or nongovernmental organizations.

MANDATORY EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQS): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions.

1. Leading Change : This core qualification involves the ability to bring about strategic change, both within and outside the organization, to meet organizational goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to establish an organizational vision and to implement it in a continuously changing environment. (Competencies: creativity and innovation, external awareness, flexibility, resilience, strategic thinking, vision)

2. Leading People : This core qualification involves the ability to lead people toward meeting the organizations vision, mission, and goals. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to provide an inclusive workplace that fosters the development of others, facilitates cooperation and teamwork, and supports constructive resolution of conflicts. (Competencies: conflict management, leveraging diversity, developing others, team building)

3. Results Driven : This core qualification involves the ability to meet organizational goals and customer expectations. Inherent to this ECQ is the ability to make decisions that produce high quality results by applying technical knowledge, analyzing problems, and calculating risks. (Competencies: accountability, customer service, decisiveness, entrepreneurship, problem solving, technical credibility)

4. Business Acumen : This core qualification involves the ability to manage human, financial, and information resources strategically. (Competencies: financial management, human capital management, technology management)

5. Building Coalitions : This core qualification involves the ability to build coalitions internally and with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, nonprofit and private sector organizations, foreign governments, or international organizations to achieve common goals. (Competencies: partnering, political savvy, influencing/negotiating)

MANDATORY TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS (MTQs):
Below are the descriptions of the mandatory technical qualifications for this position. Your five (5) page resume must provide information regarding your professional experience and accomplishments that demonstrate you meet these technical qualifications in addition to the ECQs.

1. Demonstrated expertise in theoperation of federal nutrition programs, including the statutory/regulatory framework; operational structures, and critical outcomes. Extensive experience leading national programs/initiatives involving State and local level oversight and partnerships.

2. Demonstrated analytical and strategic thinking ability, including the ability to make important judgments and develop options and recommendations which serve as a basis for decisions by senior level Executive Branch appointees and members of Congress. Superior ability to express ideas, conclusions, and recommendations effectively and forcefully, and to present such matters clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.

3. Executive-level experience demonstrating ability to lead a senior staff and managers responsible for a range of program functions, including policy development and execution, oversight, technical assistance and training, and program support and innovation. Demonstrated ability to coordinate with appropriate officials within and outside a large organization to achieve desired outcomes in these areas.

Education

No education requirement.

Additional information

Consideration for competitive selection for this position is open to all persons within the area of consideration who meet the basic qualifications. Race, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, marital or family status, disability, and other non-merit factors will not be considered.

1. This position is covered under the post-employment restriction of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). This law also requires the selectee to file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (Standard Form 278), within 30 days of appointment.

2. Applications sent in U.S. Government postage-paid envelope and submitted through Federal Agency courier services will not be considered.

3. The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political recommendations for Federal jobs.

4. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be employed by an executive agency of the Federal government. This requirement does not apply to Agency employees appointed before November 8, 1985.

5. All application forms are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become the property of USDA. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Reasonable Accommodation: This agency provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency at 202-260-8128. The decision on granting reasonable accommodation will be on a case-by-case basis.

Effective January 1, 2010, OPM must authorize any employment offers we make to current or former (within the last 5 years) political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employees in the executive branch. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, or Non-career SES employee in the executive branch, you must disclose that to the Human Resources Office.