Agricultural Program Specialist

Full Job Description

This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, South Carolina State Office in Columbia, South Carolina.

About the position: Plans, coordinates, and directs all aspects of program operations; develops and recommends State policy and program implementation guidelines; fosters cooperation on program issues among government and private agencies thought the State.

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 Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.

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.

Individual Occupational Requirements 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 General Experience (for GS-5 positions): Experience related to the production and marketing of agricultural commodities.

Specialized Experience (for positions above GS-5): 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.

Examples of qualifying specialized experience include: Agricultural extension work as a subject-matter specialist, county agent, or assistant or associate county agent.

Teacher of vocational agriculture.

District director, State program specialist, or county office employee performing duties in the operational phases of farm programs such as production adjustment, price support, and conservation.

Experience at the county, district, or State government levels in the operational phases of farm programs of the type carried out through such agencies as the Soil Conservation Service, Farmers Home Administration, or related programs.

In addition to meeting the Individual Occupational Requirements, you must also possess experience listed below.

Specialized Experience Requirement For the GS-13 grade 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: 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. Major Duties:

• Provides technical leadership in program administration and operations; determines methods of program achievement within the broad guidelines of the national handbooks and regulations.
• Analyzes provisions of current and proposed national programs and practices to determine their applicability to conditions existing in the State.
• Conducts a continuing appraisal of program operations and determines areas for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of program administration.
• Interprets program policies, procedures and regulations.
• Attends meetings and develops and maintains contacts with various governmental agencies, producers and trade organizations, county Offices, State agricultural officials, and the public.
• Prepares State Maintenance Checklists for assigned programs and activities.
• Serves as key resource person on issues involving the programs' automated applications.