The USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) links U.S. agriculture to the world, improves foreign market access for U.S. food and agricultural products, builds new markets, improves the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provides food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. This position works closely with the Administrator and Associate Administrators to formulate and administer Agency-wide programs, deliverables and functions.

Duties

The duties may include, but are not limited to: Provides leadership in organizing and facilitating efforts of agency-wide teams implementing major program initiatives and briefing materials. Provides supervision and oversight ensuring effective coordination and integration of work. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with other federal organizations, state and local governments, agribusiness representatives, and other groups and individuals. Works with the Administrator and other senior managers to conduct or coordinate analyses of existing policies and programs to assess their effectiveness and identifies and initiates needed revisions in such policies and programs. Manages the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Administrator and ensures that the Administrator’s guidance results in corresponding action across the Agency. Planning, implementing, and evaluating new regulations and approaches and improved business processes associated with the assigned functions. Advises the Administrator of findings, identifies problems or issues requiring corrective action, and recommends appropriate changes. Helps resolve conflicts and controversies and initiates necessary action to assure understanding and acceptance of the Administrator’s policies and objectives. Oversees all operational issues related to the Office of the Administrator such as oversight of the program area’s budget, awards, staffing, hiring, training, space, and IT needs. Plans and schedules ongoing work, adjusting staffing levels and resource allocations when necessary to achieve work goals and objectives.

Requirements

• 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.
• Subject to one year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• 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/.
• Testing Designated Position: Selectee must submit to a urinalysis to screen for illegal drug use prior to appointment and random testing thereafter. Final appointment and continued employment is conditional on negative results for illegal drug use.
• In accordance with Office of Government Ethics regulations concerning conflict of interest, the incumbent will be required to submit a financial disclosure report within 30 days of their effective date of appointment and annually thereafter.
• Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including time-in-grade restrictions, specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. TIME-IN-GRADE: Current federal employees applying for a promotion opportunity must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. Selective Placement Factor: This position has a Selective Placement Factor, which is a skill, knowledge, ability, or other characteristic essential for the job's satisfactory performance. The Selective Placement Factor represents the minimum requirements for this position and is a prerequisite for appointment. Applicants who do not meet the Selective Placement Factor are ineligible for further consideration. Your resume must demonstrate the experience of working with agricultural trade policy, agricultural trade promotion, or agricultural trade capacity building AND experience as a Chief of Staff who has demonstrated ability to staff and advise senior officials. FOR THE GS-15 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-14 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Planning and organizing work, making sound and effective administrative and technical decisions, and evaluating work accomplishments. Briefing and providing technical advice on complex issues to senior leadership to obtain their support for recommended courses of action. Experience in establishing and implementing goals, assigning work to subordinates, evaluating performance, resolving complaints and obtaining completed staff work from subordinates. Note: There is no education substitution for this 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

This position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Contacts

• Address Foreign Agricultural Service Human Capital Management Division 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, DC 20250 US
• Name: Tanja Blagmon
• Phone: 202-869-9068
• Email: [email protected]