Summary The Market Information Branch provides timely, accurate, comprehensive market information on milk and dairy products to enhance market transparency in the dairy industry. This market transparency provides all segments of the industry from producers to consumers with information on current conditions and trends of the market supplies and other technical information which serves to promote the orderly and equitable production and marketing of milk and dairy products. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Advises on the formulation of operational policy in the administration of both voluntary and mandatory nationwide and international market news reporting services on milk and dairy products. Conducts surveys of dairy production and marketing contacts as an aid in the formulation of long range and current plans for improving services. Participates and works with various State officials and industry groups to plan and develop partnerships with Dairy Market News. Collects information relative to general and specific market conditions as reflected in supply, demand, price, quality, condition, and movement of milk and dairy products. Reviews and evaluates operating procedures to determine their effectiveness or deficiencies and recommends effective methods of performance to determine desirable changes in programs or operations. Provides administrative and technical supervision to the dairy market reporters and clerical staff assigned. Requirements Conditions of Employment 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. FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Planning, directing, and coordinating collection and timely dissemination of accurate daily, weekly, monthly, periodic, and annual reports on marketing milk and dairy products, including directing staff assignments. Reviewing and evaluating program operations to determine effectiveness or deficiencies, and recommends efficient and effective methods of performance change to enhance program effectiveness. Representing the organization to external stakeholders, including members of industry, associations, and educators, and to internal stakeholders by preparing and presenting program information as needed. Serving as team lead for working within the program internal data storage tools and provides expert guidance to Dairy Market News staff on use of those tools. Applying excellent written and verbal communication skills showing thorough knowledge of industry specific terminology, and provides guidance to staff members on commodity coverage. 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. Additional Information Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP 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/ICTAP applicants must receive a rating of at least 85 out of a possible 100. Veterans who are preference eligible or who have been separated from the armed forces under honorable conditions after three years or more of continuous active service are eligible for consideration under the Veteran's Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA). 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. For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as certain military spouses etc., explore the different Hiring Paths on the USAJOBS website. Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act (LMWFA) provides current or former temporary or term employees of federal land management agencies opportunity to compete for permanent competitive service positions. Individuals must have more than 24 months of service without a break between appointments of two or more years. Service must be in the competitive service and have been at a successful level of performance or better. Refer to PUBLIC LAW 114-47-AUG. 7, 2015 for more information. First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected. Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses will not be paid. Any travel, transportation, and relocation expense associated with reporting for duty will be the responsibility of the selected employee. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
