Agricultural Program Specialist

This position is located in the Farm Service Agency, Virginia State Office, located in Richmond, Richmond County, Virginia.

Responsible for administering and advising on assigned Farm Programs in the State, interpreting regulations and legal requirements, providing guidance to County offices on complex, precedent setting, or unusual situations. Provides information to producers, the public, and groups interested in the program and its operations.

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.

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:

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. In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below.

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-07 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
Reviewing and/or commenting on national FSA program policy;
Interpreting and applying regulations to resolve program administration issues or problems;
Explaining program requirements and provisions. conducting reviews, and recommending solutions. OR Education at the GS-09 grade level:
Master's or equivalent graduate degree or 2 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as:
Economics, agricultural economics, marketing, business administration, animal or poultry science/husbandry, agronomy, soil science; dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas. OR Combination of

Education and Experience:

A combination of education and experience as listed above.

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-09 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
Assisting in the planning of agricultural and FSA programs;
Directing and/or coordinating agricultural programs on a statewide basis through county committees and county offices;
Working with representatives of public organizations, farmers' associations, and others, to interpret agricultural regulations, programs, and policies affecting them. OR Education at the GS-11 grade level:
Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as:
Economics, agricultural economics, marketing, business administration, animal or poultry science/husbandry, agronomy, soil science; dairy science, agricultural marketing, domestic agricultural development, farm management, agronomy, or other agricultural specialty areas. OR Combination of

Education and Experience:

A combination of education and experience as listed above.

You must have one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 grade level in federal service or comparable experience not gained through federal service. Specialized experience is defined as:
Experience in applying laws and regulations governing agricultural stabilization and FSA programs to serve as an ad