Summary This position provides timely, accurate, and impartial agricultural commodity information to the public including economic factors such as supply, demand, movement, distribution, prices, price trends, and other related factors on which market decisions can be based. Responsibilities The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity. The duties may include, but are not limited to: Conducts interviews with industry representatives to collect, analyze, and report the supply, demand, prices, and other current market information of your assigned agricultural commodities. Reconciles each price quotation to the originating growing area by commodity unit of sale, size, variety, grade and other distinguishing factors. Prepares and disseminates numerous daily, weekly, monthly, and special market reports covering local sales on the wholesale market or information that may be of interest to the trade. Develops and maintains educational and instructional knowledge and materials on agricultural commodities marketing information, methods, and practices. Makes presentations describing investigation procedures and results, and relevant developments to other interested agency personnel. Makes recommendations for new or revised policies, methods, and techniques to improve the collection and dissemination of market information and the efficiency and transparency of the program. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement, including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below. FOR THE GS-07 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-05 grade level) that demonstrates: Assisting in reporting agricultural commodity markets by unit of sale, size, variety, grade and other distinguishing factors under general supervision. Using information technology to compile and track data pertaining to agricultural commodity market reporting and analysis. Collecting and preparing market quotations for publication, radio, or news services; or marketing or commercial production. OR one (1) full year of graduate level education in Agriculture, Agricultural Business, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Communications, Dairy, Horticulture, Marketing, Meat Science, Poultry Science or related field of study. OR Superior Academic Achievement: To qualify based on superior academic achievement, you must have completed the requirements for a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution AND 1) have a class standing in the upper third of the graduating class, 2) membership in a national scholastic honor society (excluding Freshman honor societies), or 3) must meet certain GPA requirements. GPA requirements: 3.0 or higher out of a possible 4.0 as recorded on official transcripts or as computed based on 4 years of education, or courses completed during the final 2 year of the curriculum; OR 3.5 or higher out of a possible 4.0 based on the average of the required course completed in the major field or courses completed during the final 2 years of the curriculum (GPA will be rounded to one decimal place, e.g., 2.95 rounds to 3.0 and 2.94 rounds to 2.9). FOR THE GS-09 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-07 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:' Reporting agricultural commodity markets by unit of sale, size, variety, grade and other distinguishing factors under general supervision. Utilizing database systems to enter and analyze data and generate reports pertaining to agricultural commodity market reporting and analysis. Evaluating and reconciling information and data, in order to accurately determine and describe market developments under general supervision. Making recommendations to the supervisor relative to new or revised policies, methods, and techniques in the collection and dissemination of market information in response to shifts in marketing patterns. OR Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full academic years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Business, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Communications, Dairy, Horticulture, Marketing, Meat Science, Poultry Science or related field of study. FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-09 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates: Evaluating production and market conditions to report markets and advise the supervisor on complex issues. Utilizing database systems for completing the collection, analysis, aggregation, and dissemination of market reporting information. Evaluating and reconciling complex, and sometimes contradictory information and data, to accurately determine and describe significant market developments and shifts in marketing patterns with minimal supervision. Revising policies, methods, and techniques in the collection and dissemination of market information in response to shifts in marketing patterns. OR Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree in Agriculture, Agricultural Business, Agricultural Economics, Agronomy, Animal Science, Communications, Dairy, Horticulture, Marketing, Meat Science, Poultry Science or related field of study. Equivalent combinations of education and experience are qualifying for the GS-07/09/11 grade levels. TRANSCRIPTS are required if: You are qualifying for the position based on education. You are qualifying for this position based on a combination of experience and education. You are qualifying for this position based on Superior Academic Achievement. This education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. COMBINATION OF EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE AT THE GS-07/09/11 GRADE LEVELS: Applicants may have combinations of successfully completed education and specialized experience to meet total qualification requirements. The total percentages must equal at least 100 percent to qualify for that 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 Please see above for education qualification requirement information. 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. 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. Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed. Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments here. The work is performed equally in office and field settings that may have exposure to uncomfortable conditions such as stockyards, dealer buying stations, and meat packing plants. There is some carrying of equipment and walking over rough terrain to check inventories.
