Duties

Summary

This position is located in the Essex County FSA Office, in Tappahannock, Virginia.

This position is employed by the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) committee(s).
Learn more about this agency

Responsibilities

• Responsible for directing and managing program and administrative operations for one or more counties.
• Carrying out permanent and ad hoc farm bill programs and policies established by USDA as well as crop insurance operations under policies established by the Risk Management Agency (RMA).
• May perform farm loan program assignments based on authorities delegated.
• Performing office and field activities as needed to accomplish program objectives.
• Managing and directs activities of subordinate staff.

Travel Required

Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.

Supervisory status
Yes

Promotion Potential
11

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.
• Must be a high school graduate or equivalent.
• Must be 18 years of age or 17 years of age for high school graduates.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• 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 https://www.e-verify.gov/.
• Successful completion of one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period, if required.
• Financial Disclosure Required (FSA-324).
• All USDA employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of their duty location. If selected, you will be required to submit documentation of COVID-19 vaccination by November 22, 2021 or before appointment, if after November 22, 2021.
• The agency will provide additional information regarding what COVID-19 vaccination information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

Qualifications

** Additional Clarification from the Agency;

In-State County Operations Trainees (COT) who have successfully completed the COT program or are within 30 calendar days of successfully completing the COT program.

Out-of-State COTs who have successfully completed the COT Program.

Former (within the last 5 years) FSA supervisory/managerial CO or GS employees with specialized experience.

Current Program Technicians, who:

• previously completed the COT program within the last 5 years
• requested to remain on the STC register for a 1-year extension
• exceeded the combined 2-year time limit for the STC register
• served as Program Technician in Charge for more than 1 year within the last 5 years.

Note: Must have more than 52 weeks of total experience acquired on 1 to 3 temporary promotions during the most recent 5-year period.

Qualifications are in accordance with requirements in Handbook 27-PM.

*--Examples of Specialized Experience would be experience in an FSA Supervisory position, COT position, or PT-in-Charge position within the last 5 years for a total of at least 52 weeks.

** Specialized experience is defined as experience that equipped the applicant with the particular
knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and is
typically in or related to the work of the position being filled. To be creditable, specialized
experience must have been equivalent to at least 1 year in the next lower grade level.

When self-qualifying at any grade(s) above the lowest advertised grade, applicants should also ensure they are indicating the lowest grade they are willing to accept the advertised position at. It is imperative applicants understand they can NOT be considered for any grade(s) lower than what is indicated in the Lowest Acceptable Grade field when completing the preferences section.

Applicants must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date in the announcement, including the following specialized experience and/or education, as identified below:

** You may start at the CO-07 level if you have one of the following qualifications:

• One year of specialized experience directly related to the functions of the position to be filled in a related activity at the next lower grade level. Experience that demonstrates knowledge of administering segments of an agricultural program area and researching procedural content of new laws, amendments, and regulations for compliance. Some examples of how this experience may have been gained may include any of the following: experience in reviewing documents for accuracy and compliance with agricultural provisions; assisting staff in resolving program problems; serving as technical specialist; reviewing regulations to recommend an effective approach in resolving problems; developing reports, written and oral communications for managers; establishing effective relationships with representatives of public and private organizations or farmers' associations; or similar activities.

** You may start at the CO-09 level if you have one of the following qualifications:

• One year of specialized experience directly related to the functions of the position to be filled or equivalent experience in a related activity at the next lower grade level. Experience in providing program interpretation, and instruction for an agriculture program area or operational phases of farm loan programs. Such work experience included acquiring data and providing information to producers, farm loan borrowers and farming operations; writing summary reports; assisting staff with policy guidance; arranging and scheduling activities of subordinates to complete technical/clerical review.

** You may start at the CO-11 level if you have one of the following qualifications:

• One year of specialized experience directly related to the functions of the position to be filled or equivalent experience in a related activity at the next lower grade level. Experience in independently conducting agricultural operation or in participating in the overall administration of one or more agricultural program areas. Such work experience included actively participating in the development or implementation of local farm program policies; applying knowledge of agricultural principles; making presentations or providing training; planning and organizing work of lower level employees.

Education

The substitution of education is not qualifying for this position.

Additional information

• Veterans preference does not apply since this position is being advertised under Title 7 authorities.
• Relocation expenses are not authorized.
• When promotion potential is shown, the agency is not making a commitment and is not obligated to provide future promotions to you if you are selected. Future promotions will be dependent on your ability to perform the duties at a higher level, the continuing need for an employee assigned to the higher level, and administrative approval.
• This is a Title 7, Non-Federal, Non-Civil Service position.
• This announcement may be used to fill one or more vacancies.
• Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).
• This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements in accordance with Department and Agency directives.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

All applicants will be considered on the basis of their education, experience, supervisory appraisal, training, awards and education as it relates to the qualification requirements and on the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA's) listed below.

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING ELIGIBILITY QUESTIONS CAREFULLY. During the online application process, you will be asked to address the following items:

Describe your ability to plan work and make decisions independently. Be sure to include specific examples.

Describe your ability to identify and resolve problems. Be sure to include specific examples explaining the situation you encountered, the action you took, and the resolution you achieved.

Describe your ability to communicate in writing being sure to include specific examples.

Describe your ability to communicate orally being sure to include specific examples.

Describe your ability to supervise and lead people. Be sure to include specific examples including any supervisory or leadership roles you may have held.

Describe your knowledge of FSA farm programs and practices including details regarding how you obtained this knowledge.

Note: If, after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on application documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Background checks and security clearance

Security clearance
Not Required

Drug test required
No

Position sensitivity and risk
Noncritical-Sensitive (NCS)/Moderate Risk

Trust determination process
Suitability/Fitness

Required Documents

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, illegible fax transmissions, delays in the mail service, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: 1)personal information such as name, address, contact information; 2) education; 3) detailed work experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; for current or previous Federal or FSA County employees, it should also include the title, Pay Plan, Series and Grade for each work experience entry; 4) supervisors phone number and whether or not the supervisor may be contacted for a reference check; 5) other qualifications.
• For current or previous Federal or FSA County employees, you must attach a copy of your most recent Notification of Personnel Action (form SF-50 or SF-50B or equivalent) that provides current position, grade level, salary, and duty location. Award SF-50 or SF-50B or equivalent will result in an ineligible rating.
• Current and former USDA Employees must submit your most recently completed annual performance appraisal/Summary Rating (dated within 18 months) which identifies the employees official rating of record, signed by the supervisor, or a statement advising why the performance appraisal/summary rating is unavailable. Do not submit a performance plan. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating.

If education is required or you are using education to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application; however, if you are selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.