GS-07 International Program Specialist USDA Foreign Agricultural Service

[Liz Newman]

Job Title: International Agricultural Program Specialist
Grade: GS-0301-07
Area of Consideration: All Sources
Type of Appointment: Excepted Service (Time Limit) Appointment
Length of Appointment: Up to 5 years
Opening Date of Announcement: 01/27/12
Closing Date of Announcement: 03/09/12

You must be a U.S. citizen to apply for this position and be able to
obtain and maintain a secret security clearance for this assignment.
This is an Excepted Service, Schedule B appointment not to exceed 5
years.

The individual selected for this position will be administratively
assigned to the Regulatory and Policy Capacity Building Branch of the
Trade and Scientific Capacity Building Division, Office of Capacity
Building and Development, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S.
Department of Agriculture (FAS/OCBD/TSCB/RPCB).

TSCB is responsible for promoting trade through the provision of
technical assistance to foreign governments and the private industries
in emerging markets and transition economies. The individual will be
responsible for multiple tasks within a wide range of development and
networking activities. S/he will initiate actions, track
administrative functions, and solve programmatic, administrative and
financial problems. The position may require some domestic and/or
international travel.

To apply, please send a) a cover letter that directly and individually
addresses each of the required skills listed below and b) your current
resume of experience and qualifications to:
FAS-SCH...@wdc.usda.gov with the Subject: (OCBD-12-104)

Basic Qualification Requirements:

Must have 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-5
level in the Federal Service that has equipped you with the particular
knowledge, skills and abilities to perform successfully the duties of
this position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the
position to be filled.


Required Skills:

§ Knowledge of agriculture and rural development theories,
principles, methods and techniques and experience in applying them to
provide technical support to FAS programs advancing agricultural and
natural resource capacity building, and reconstruction and
stabilization initiatives.

§ Experience in planning and carrying out administrative and
financial tasks and budget monitoring. Ability to handle multiple
tasks with close attention to detail

§ Ability to handle difficult situations, resolve problems, and
effectively maintain working relations with individuals from U.S. and
foreign government agencies, universities, and the private sector.
Skill working in a multi-team environment.

§ Knowledge of policies and procedures used for project management in
USDA and USAID to carry out a full range of administrative support
functions including budgeting, report drafting, preparation of
documents, spreadsheets, financial reports, and operations manuals.

§ Skill in oral and written communication in order to effectively
present complex technical analysis and information.

§ A solid working knowledge of micro-computer uses and skill in using
spreadsheet, database, and word processing software as well as
telecommunications systems.

The position is located in Washington, DC, but will require the
ability to travel, particularly to developing countries, sometimes
under strenuous conditions in remote locations.

NOTE: Attachments should be limited to a total of 5 MB or less, as e-
mails with large attachments may be blocked by the USDA e-mail
firewall.
NOTE: Applications that do not include a supplemental statement
addressing individually each of the required skills may not be
considered.

Direct all inquiries to:
Program Officer: Brandon Banner
Mailing address: USDA/FAS/OCBD/TSCB/RPCB
1400 Independence Ave. S.W., Room 3834-S, STOP 1033,
Washington, D.C. 20250-1033
Telephone: (202) 690-1858

NOTE: A career status employee that is outside of FAS that accepts
this position will be appointed to a Schedule B, Excepted Service time
limited appointment. This appointment does not offer re-employment
rights back to career status within FAS, as described in CFR, Chapter
352. The employee may seek re-employment rights from their losing
agency prior to accepting this Schedule B appointment. Please note
that agencies are not required to grant re-employment rights.