Foreign Agricultural A airs O icer (Trainee)

Transcription

1 Foreign Agricultural A airs O icer (Trainee) DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Foreign Agricultural Service Overview Open & closing dates 11/06/2017 to 11/22/2017 Pay scale & grade GS Salary $66,510 to $103,369 per year Work schedule Full-Time Appointment type Term Locations Washington DC, DC MANY vacancies Relocation expenses reimbursed No This job is open to The public U.S. citizens, nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S., and excepted service employees. Announcement number FAS-DE Control number Duties Summary The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is a small but dynamic foreign a airs agency with approximately 135 Foreign Service O icers 1/10

2 The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is a small but dynamic foreign a airs agency with approximately 135 Foreign Service O icers (FSOs) in 93 o ices in 171 countries around the world. Overseas, FSOs are responsible for supporting FAS e orts at agricultural trade promotion; trade policy; trade capacity building and food security. FSOs can expect to spend about a third of their career serving in USDA/FAS headquarters in Washington, D.C., in positions throughout the agency. Successful applicants to this announcement will enter FAS as Foreign Service Trainees to work and train in Washington, D.C. for an average of 18 to 36 months, followed by assignment to an overseas post. Candidates demonstrating the necessary competencies and achievement will be commissioned into the Foreign Service and can look forward to professional careers with increasing rank and responsibility which averages 25 years. To access the "Guide to the Foreign Service O icer Selection Process" for more information about the Foreign Service O icer Trainee position and the assessment process please click here: ( NOTE: The Foreign Agricultural Service will host a Public Information Session on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 from 1:00-2:30 PM, EST at Patriots Plaza III, 355 E Street SW, Auditorium B, 1st Floor, Washington, DC. For those not in the Washington, DC area, you can dial in to virtually access the meeting (audio only) at , Code The panel will discuss the Foreign Service O icer selection process, the Foreign Service personnel system, and the lifestyle of a Foreign Service O icer. The trainee positions are term appointments, not-to exceed 18 months, which can be extended every year for up to a total of four years, if needed. A term appointment does not confer competitive status. This announcement may be used to fill 7-15 vacancies in Fiscal Year 2018, (pending budget and/or funding availability). Salary Information: First time hires to the Federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range. This is a multi-level assessment process. The highest ranking/best qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a one-day Applicant Assessment Forum in Riverdale, MD. Travel and transportations costs to attend the Applicant Assessment Forum will be at the applicant's expense. Responsibilities This position serves as a Foreign Service O icer Trainee and will undertake training which will include being assigned to work in Washington, DC. Foreign Service O icer Trainees are responsible for participating in the development of their training plan, attending and performing work as directed by the supervisor, and working toward developing a strong FAS knowledge base and learning job related skills throughout the training period. The training period may be up to 4 years. Under the general supervision of the Area Director, the incumbent performs some or all of the following: Works e ectively with other FAS program areas, other USDA agencies, and other U.S. Government (USG) agencies. Completes administrative and training requirements by assigned due dates. Participates in the management and oversight of public and private sector activities, including market development, market promotion, credit and credit guarantee programs. Develops, evaluates and coordinates market development programs of USDA Cooperators, State and Regional Trade Groups, and other entities which receive USDA funding. Develops and maintains e ective working relationships with domestic agricultural industry representatives, trade associations and cooperators. Participates in the compilation, review and analysis of economic information and data regarding production, trade, consumption, prices and other factors a ecting the world agricultural situation and outlook. Researches the economic, agricultural and trade policies that pertain to assigned areas of responsibility, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of the range of issues involved and writes documents summarizing findings. Participates in the development of country strategy plans that include goals and measurable objectives aligned directly with the FAS Strategic Plan. Coordinates input from stakeholders, organizes country team meetings, and formulates longer-term trade strategies for addressing outstanding trade policy issues. Contributes creative ideas and actively participates in team meetings. Participates in the analysis of agricultural conditions, government policies, and commercial practices a ecting the marketing and importing interests of U.S. producers and exporters. Prepares briefing memoranda, correspondence, briefing books, market profiles and other background information for USDA decision makers on a variety of subjects related to agricultural trade. Prepares other oral and written briefings as required, with thorough analysis of policy options and strategies. Participates in the identification, monitoring, and removal of technical, sanitary and phytosanitary barriers to agricultural trade. Participates in the coordination of Departmental objectives in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other major 2/10

3 Participates in the coordination of Departmental objectives in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other major international organizations and conferences whose work has a bearing on international trade. Learns to influence others; gains cooperation while showing, in the spirit of mutual respect, understanding of other positions; applies these skills in both technical and nontechnical settings, as appropriate. Participates in the formulation of policies for the administration of USDA trade and food assistance programs. Works to implement agricultural capacity building and development activities to enhance trade and food security goals. Performs other duties as assigned. This position serves in a developmental capacity performing assignments which are designed to prepare you to be laterally transferred to the Foreign Service in the position of Agricultural Attaché/Assistant, FP , at a U.S. embassy upon completion of the following requirements: Satisfactory demonstration of the ability to perform the duties of the Agricultural Attaché/Assistant. A proven ability to work e ectively with USDA and all government agencies. Recommendation by supervisor. Completion of all legal and regulatory requirements (including holding valid medical and security clearances) by assigned due dates. Travel Required 75% or less - Must be available for worldwide assignments Supervisory status No Promotion Potential 12 Who May Apply This job is open to US Citizens and Nationals; no prior Federal experience is required. Questions? This job is open to 1 group. Job family (Series) 0135 Foreign Agricultural A airs ( Requirements Conditions Of Employment You will be required to pass a background investigation/fingerprint check You must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance You must be able to obtain and maintain a medical clearance Certain selectees may be subject to a 1 year trial period You must complete the online Occupational Questionnaire You must submit a resume along with other applicable supporting documents PLEASE READ ALL OF THE "HOW TO APPLY" INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE APPLYING U.S. Citizenship is required Selective Service Registration is required for males born a er 12/31/1959 Special Conditions: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a Top Secret security clearance. Requires a world-wide medical pre-employment clearance issued by the State Department 3/10

4 Requires a world-wide medical pre-employment clearance issued by the State Department Employees will be required to sign a Service Agreement Members of the Foreign Service shall be obligated to serve abroad and shall be expected to serve abroad for substantial portions of their careers. A member of the Service may not be assigned to duty within the United States for any period of continuous service exceeding eight years unless the Secretary of Agriculture approves an extension of such period for that member because of special circumstances. Members of the Foreign Service are expected to serve anywhere in the world (worldwide), even in cases where family members cannot go to post due to political instability and/or other concerns, or when family members must leave post as conditions deteriorate (evacuations). Current Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) career employees will have re-employment rights back to FAS if not converted into the Foreign Service. BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND FINGERPRINT CHECK: Selection and retention in this position is contingent on a successfully adjudicated FBI National Criminal History Check (fingerprint check) and a background investigation. Prior to employment, you may be required to complete an OF-306, Declaration of Federal employment and other paperwork. The information collected on this form is used to determine suitability for Federal employment. You will also be required to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application/resume. You must answer all questions truthfully and completely. A false statement on any part of the declaration or other forms may be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal service. Qualifications FOR THE GS-11 LEVEL - In order to qualify for this position at the GS-11 level applicants must possess one of the following: 1. One year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-9 level in the Federal service OR 2. Have qualifying education OR 3. Have a combination of specialized experience and qualifying education. Specialized Experience: To qualify based on specialized experience applicants must possess one year or more of specialized experience that was equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-09) in the Federal service that has provided them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed in order to successfully perform the duties of the position at the GS-11 level. Specialized experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, be paid or unpaid, and is typically gained in the same field as the position being filled or another very closely related field. Applicants qualifying for the GS-11 level based on experience must provide evidence of the following type of specialized experience in their resume. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating: - Experience assisting with, or performing professional work in, one of the following three areas:. market development (market expansion-type activities); or. capacity building (includes building food and market systems, expanding trade through food assistance, or enhancing agricultural development); or. trade policy (negotiating and enforcing agreements; resolving technical, sanitary, or phytosanitary barriers; pursuing the development of rules-based international systems) OR - Experience assisting with or performing professional work in market and economic analysis and interpretation. Education: In order to qualify for the GS-11 level based on education applicants must have successfully completed at least three full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to a Ph.D. degree in agricultural marketing, economics, agricultural or applied economics, agricultural business, or another field of study directly related to this position from an accredited university. Applicants qualifying for the GS-11 level based on education must submit copies of their college transcripts. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating. Combination of Specialized Experience and Qualifying Education: Applicants may qualify for the GS-11 level based on a combination of specialized experience and education, as listed above. Only graduate education beyond the second full-time year may be combined with experience. Applicants qualifying for the GS-11 level based on a combination of experience and education must show evidence of their experience in their resume and they must submit copies of their college transcripts. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating. FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL - In order to qualify for this position at the GS-12 level applicants must possess one year or more of specialized experience that was equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service and that has provided4/10

5 specialized experience that was equivalent to at least the next lower grade level (GS-11) in the Federal service and that has provided them with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to successfully perform the duties of the position at the GS-12 level. Specialized experience may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors, be paid or unpaid, and is typically gained in the same field as the position being filled or another very closely related field. Applicants must provide evidence of the following type of specialized experience in their resume in order to qualify for this position at the GS-12 level. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating: - Experience performing professional work in all of the following three areas:. market development (market expansion-type activities),. capacity building (includes building food and market systems, expanding trade through food assistance, or enhancing agricultural development), and. trade policy (negotiating and enforcing agreements; resolving technical, sanitary, or phytosanitary barriers; pursuing the development of rules-based international system AND. Experience performing professional work in market and economic analysis and interpretation. NOTE: There is no substitution of education allowed at the GS-12 level. FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in colleges or universities outside of the United States may be used to meet qualification requirements. To be eligible, applicants must provide acceptable documentation that the foreign education is comparable to that received at an accredited educational institution in the United States. Failure to do so will result in an ineligible rating. EDUCATION ACCREDITATION: Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be creditable toward meeting the minimum qualification requirements. To verify your college/university accreditation, please visit: NOTE: Your college transcript is used to verify successful completion of degree or college course work. If you are using your degree to qualify for the position, you must submit a copy of your college transcript. If selected, an o icial college transcript will be required before you can report for duty. 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, knowledge, and skills 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 Additional information Displaced Federal employee's eligible under the Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): For information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP eligible see ( 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. Additional selections may be made if more vacancies occur within 90 days of the issuance of the certificate of eligibles. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc) should contact: USDAs TARGET Center at (voice and TDD). Direct Deposit Per Public Law all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of your choosing. E-Verify: Federal law requires agencies to use the E-Verify system to confirm the employment eligibility of all new hires. If you are selected as a newly hired employee, the documentation you present for purposes of completing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-9 on your entry-on-duty date will be verified through the DHS E-VERIFY system. Under the system, the new hire is required to resolve any identified discrepancies as a condition of continued employment. It is the policy of the Government not to deny employment simply because an individual has been unemployed or has had financial di iculties that have arisen through no fault of the individual. See more information at: ( 5/10

6 How You Will Be Evaluated Applications will be evaluated in accordance with O ice of Personnel Management's (OPM) Delegated Examining Procedures using category rating. The category rating procedure is used to rank and select eligible candidates. Applicants who meet basic minimum qualifications will be placed in one of three categories: Best Qualified, Well Qualified, or Qualified. Within these categories, applicants eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veterans. Category placement will be determined based on applicants' quality of experience and the extent that they possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) or competencies: Communication Skills Intellectual Skills Leadership Skills Interpersonal Skills Client service skills Substantive knowledge of agricultural marketing and development techniques/processes Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if (a) you meet the minimum qualification requirements and (b) your resume supports the answers provided to the job-specific questions. Your resume must clearly support your responses to all the questions addressing experience and education relevant to this position. Those determined to be in the best qualified category will be referred to the selecting o icial for consideration. Note: If, a er reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your rating may be lowered to more accurately reflect the submitted documentation. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may a ect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to and including removal from the Federal Service. Assessment Process This is a multi-level assessment process. The highest ranking/best qualified applicants will be invited to participate in a one day Applicant Assessment Forum in order to receive further consideration. The Assessment Forum will include written, group and oral exams. The successful applicant will demonstrate the following dimensions that reflect the skills, abilities and personal qualities deemed essential to the work of the Foreign Service: interpersonal skills, intellectual skills, leadership skills, customer service skills, and communication skills. The Assessment Forum is tentatively scheduled to take place on January 29 - February 9, 2018 in Riverdale, MD. Travel and transportation costs for participation in the Assessment Center will be at the applicant's own expense. Applicants must pass each portion of the assessment process. If you do not pass all of the exams in the Assessment Center, you will not be considered for the position. Those that pass all of the exams in the Assessment Center will be referred to the selecting o icials on a certificate of eligibles for further consideration. The certificate of eligibles is valid for 3 months. Qualified applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference will receive selection priority over non-veteran s preference eligibles. To view the application form, visit: BDE4-A82300F7D149 ( Background checks and security clearance Security clearance Top Secret ( ces/) Required Documents The following documents are required in order for your application to be complete. Our o ice cannot be responsible for 6/10

7 The following documents are required in order for your application to be complete. Our o ice cannot be responsible for incompatible so ware, illegible fax transmissions, delays in mail service, your system failure or downtime, etc. Encrypted and digitally signed documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration. Resume that includes the following information: 1) job information for which you are applying; 2) personal information such as your name, contact information, etc.; 3) your education; 4) work experience, including the work schedule and hours worked per week (full-time/part-time) as well as the dates of employment; 5) work experience that documents possession of required specialized experience as outlined in the Qualifications Required section of this announcement including the job title, (and job series and grade level if Federal experience); 6) supervisors phone number for each work period listed and whether or not we may contact them for reference checks; and, 7) other related qualifications you would like to include such as volunteer experience. College Transcripts, if qualifying using education as a substitute for specialized experience. An uno icial copy of your transcript is su icient with the application; however, if selected, an o icial college transcript will be required prior to entering on duty. All education must have been successfully completed and obtained from an accredited school, college, or university. Foreign education must be evaluated by an approved organization. For additional information, refer to the U.S. Department of Education web site at ( All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation. DD-214 (Member 4 Copy), if claiming veterans preference, you must submit a DD214, Certificate of Release from Active Duty, which shows dates of service and discharge under honorable conditions. If currently on active duty you must submit a certification of expected discharge or release from active duty service under honorable conditions that is signed no later than 120 days a er the date the certification is submitted. The certification must be on the letterhead of the appropriate military branch and include the dates of military service. Veteran s preference must be verified prior to appointment. Without this documentation, you will not receive veteran s preference and your application will be evaluated based on the material(s) submitted. If claiming 10-point veterans preference you must provide the DD214 or certification requirements (see above bullet), plus the proof of entitlement of this preference as listed on the SF-15 Application for 10-point Veterans Preference. The SF-15 should be included but is not required. Failure to submit these documents could result in the determination that there is insu icient documentation to support your claim for 10-point preference. For more information on veterans preference see CTAP/ICTAP Documentation: Reduction-In-Force: Certification of Expected Separation, Reduction-In-Force Separation Notice, or Notice of Proposed Removal; AND most recent performance evaluation; AND SF-50 demonstrating your separation or the position you will be separated from. Workers Compensation Separation: Agency certification of inability to place employee AND Notification of Separation OR Separation SF-50. Disability Annuity Termination: Notification from OPM of disability annuity termination AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. Military Reserve or National Guard Technician Special Disability Retirement Annuity under 5 U.S.C. 8337(h) or 8456: Certification of special disability retirement annuity from a military department or National Guard Bureau AND Separation SF-50 of the last position held. NOTE: If a document is resubmitted, it replaces the previous submission, which means the previous document is no longer available to the Human Resources O ice. If you are adding to, rather than replacing a previous submission, you must upload both the old document and the new document. Please verify that documents you are uploading from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's sta ing system as there is a limitation to the number of documents that can be transferred. However, once in the Agency's sta ing system, you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded resumes must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements: You MUST submit a copy of your transcript if you want to substitute your education for experience. If you claim qualifications based on education, and do not submit a transcript, your education will not be used in making a qualification determination and you may be found "not qualified". Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting insti tutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. ( Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may a ect the overall rating. 7/10

8 Benefits A career with the U.S. Government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Benefits for federal employees ( Healthcare insurance ( Pay and leave ( These term positions a ord the full range of benefits o ered in the Federal Government's comprehensive benefits package. Explore the major benefits o ered here: ( Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time, or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits o ered. How to Apply Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin. The following instructions outline our application process. You must complete this application process and submit all required documents electronically by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) on the closing date of this announcement. We are available to assist you during business hours (normally 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday - Friday). Applying online is highly encouraged. If applying online poses a hardship, please contact our o ice during business hours well before the closing date for an alternate method. All hardship application packages with supporting documents must be submitted no later than noon on the closing date of the announcement in order to be entered into the system prior to its closing. This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities on a case-by-case basis; contact us if you are requesting this. Step 1: Create a USAJOBS account (if you do not have one) at It is recommended that as part of your profile you set up automatic notification to be informed when the status of your application changes. If you choose not to set up this automatic notification, then you will have to log into your USAJOBS account to check on the status of your application. Step 2: Create a resume with USAJOBS or upload a resume into your USAJOBS account. Customize your resume to ensure it documents duties and accomplishments you have gained that are directly related to this position in order to verify that qualifications are met. Your resume must support your responses to the online questionnaire (you may preview the online questionnaire by clicking on the link at the end of the How You Will Be Evaluated section of the job announcement). Step 3: Click "Apply Online" and follow the prompts to complete the Occupational Questionnaire and attach any additional documents that may be required. You can update your application or documents anytime while the announcement is open. Log into your USAJOBS account and click on "Application Status." Click on the position title, and then select "Update Application to continue. NOTE: Verify that uploaded documents from USAJOBs transfer into the Agency's sta ing system. Once in the Agency's sta ing system you will have the opportunity to upload additional documents. Uploaded documents must be less than 3MB and in one of the following document formats: GIF, JPG, JPEG, PNG, RTF, PDF, or Word (DOC or DOCX). Agency contact information Human Resources Specialist Phone (tel:// ) Fax Address USDA APHIS MRPBS 250 Marquette Avenue, Suite /10

9 Minneapolis, MN, United States Learn more about this agency (#agency-modal-trigger) Begin a challenging and rewarding career with the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). FAS is a dynamic foreign a airs agency with o ices in Washington, D.C. and 93 countries around the world. FAS is seeking committed professionals with diverse skills and talents to help improve foreign market access for U.S. products, build new markets, enhance the competitive position of U.S. agriculture in the global marketplace, and provide food aid and technical assistance to foreign countries. Visit our careers page Learn more about what it's like to work at Foreign Agricultural Service, what the agency does, and about the types of careers this agency o ers. ( Next steps If you set up your USAJOBS account to send automatic notifications, you will receive an acknowledging: 1) the submission of your online Occupational Questionnaire and resume was successful, 2) if you were referred to the selecting o icial for consideration, and 3) if you were selected or not selected. If you choose not to set up automatic notifications, you must check your USAJOBS account for the latest status of your application. Your application may be reviewed to verify that you meet the qualifications and eligibility requirements for the position prior to issuing lists to a selecting o icial. If further evaluation or interviews are required, you will be contacted. We expect to make a final job o er within 40 days a er the closing date of the announcement. Fair & Transparent The Federal hiring process is setup to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy The United States Government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy And gender identity), national origin, political a iliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) o ice at OPM ( O ice of Equal Opportunity ( Reasonable Accommodation Policy Federal agencies must provide reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the hiring agency directly. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a Case-by-Case basis. A reasonable accommodation is any change in the workplace or the way things are customarily done that provides an equal employment opportunity to an individual with a disability. Under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) must provide reasonable accommodations: An applicant with a disability needs an accommodation to have an equal opportunity to apply for a job. An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to perform the essential job duties or to gain access to the workplace. An employee with a disability needs an accommodation to receive equal access to benefits, such as details, training, and o ice-sponsored events. Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations 9/10

10 o ice-sponsored events. Disability Employment - Reasonable Accommodations ( How to contact an agency ( Legal and regulatory guidance Financial suitability ( Social security number request ( Privacy Act ( Selective Service ( Signature & False statements ( New employee probationary period ( 10/10