Summary In this position you'll be overseeing the Local and Regional Foods Division's team of branch chiefs, economists, architects, and agricultural marketing specialists. The incumbent carries out difficult assignments, including the formulation and leadership of program plans, research agreements, outreach, and technical assistance to support stakeholders in the Local and Regional Food sector to develop markets and improve market access for farmers and ranchers. Responsibilities The duties may include, but are not limited to: Shares responsibility with the Deputy Administrator for formulation and implementation of the policies and programs of the Division. Leads research to improve the economic efficiency and effectiveness of agricultural marketing. Develops economic impact analysis on local and regional marketing and supply chains. Develops research direction in support of core activities and mission of the Transportation and Marketing Program area based on previous experience, staff recommendations, and stakeholder needs. Identifies suitable topics and candidates for cooperative research agreements. Ensures protocols and operating procedures for cooperative agreements are followed and that outreach impact is maximized. Represents the Division in establishing and maintaining relationships with producers, trade organizations, the public, governmental agencies, and various public groups. Ensures adequate managerial and financial controls in accordance with applicable policy and directives concerning procurement, contracts and agreements, personnel, and other administrative matters. Oversees technical assistance to agricultural marketing and food systems stakeholders and manages design services for construction and/or renovation of marketing facilities. 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-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: Experience managing and leading employees and teams to plan, organize, and manage cooperative agreements and their associated funding streams in accordance with Federal regulations, including developing standard operating procedures and/or training programs. Experience developing the scope of research programs to support economic impact analyses of agricultural marketing and investments and facilitate community economic development, and leading technical assistance for the development of agricultural markets and food supply chains. Experience creating plain-language briefing materials, written reports, public presentations, and/or outreach materials for senior leaders, members of the public, and/or funding recipients to improve understanding of research findings and support adoption of recommendations. Experience working across organizational boundaries and collaborating with a variety of stakeholders (state agencies, nonprofits, government agencies, universities) to identify and explore challenges and opportunities to increase support for, demand for, and supply of local and regional food. 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 There is no education 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. 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. For more information on applying under special hiring authorities such as the Veteran's Recruitment Act (VRA), 30 percent disabled veterans, certain military spouses, Schedule A Disabled, 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. Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection. Existing AMS employees may maintain current duty station UNLESS that duty station is in the National Capital Region. Additionally, and subject to office availability, this position may be approved at the following locations: Raleigh, NC; Fort Collins, CO; Kansas City, MO; Other locations in federal offices may be identified at the time of selection if AMS identifies available and suitable federal office space; this is not a remote position.
