Clarification from the agency

This announcement is open to current permanent federal employees with competitive status , CTAP/ICTAP/RPL eligible, Schedule A eligible, Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) eligible veterans, and 30% disabled veterans.

• Incumbent has the key role in the overall administrative functions and the coordination of activities involved in the implementation of reauthorization; reporting; streamlining and simplification; prevention and detection of fraud, waste and abuse.
• Represent NIFA at meetings and conference providing updates, data, information, statistical analysis, and reports. These activities involve keeping current on relevant issues impacting the SBIR program and activities.
• Provide expert advice in explaining and interpreting program(s), statutes, regulations, directives, policies and procedures as they pertain to various business, financial, and/or administrative/management requirements.
• Responsible for maintaining open lines of communication and plans of action with the Small Business Administration (SBA), other Federal agencies and the USDA SBIR team for future partnerships and cooperation.
• Responsible for taking corrective actions. Identify problems and resolve or coordinate resolution with appropriate staff. Participate in dispute resolution activities that may include membership on various review and appeal committees.
• Analyze and evaluate the development and modification of methods for SBIR operations, and in responding to programmatic requirements to include in the formulation of reports, communications, etc.
• Develop, maintain, and track all associated reporting requirements mandated by the SBA Policy Directive, the Department of Agriculture, the White House and Congressional inquiries.
• Participate in the planning of program outreach to the 27 states, minority serving institutions and organizations that represent minority/disadvantaged or women-owned small business firms in an effort to increase the number of proposals submitted.

Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Males born after 12/31/1959 must be Selective Service registered or exempt.
• Subject to satisfactory adjudication of background investigation and/or fingerprint check.
• Successful completion of one year probationary period, unless previously served.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.
• Successfully pass the E-Verify employment verification check. To learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities, visit https://www.e-verify.gov/.

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 the time in grade requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.

Education Requirements:
1. 4-Year Degree in: Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resource Management, Chemistry, or related disciplines appropriate to the position.

or

2. Combination of education and experience: Courses equivalent to a major, as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

AND

Specialized Experience:
The specialized experience requirements for this position is: Experience ensuring program compliance with all mandated administrative responsibilities; ensuring all data is gathered, analyzed, prepared for reports completed in order to meet timelines; and serving as a liaison to encourage participation in a program.

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.

How you will be evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

You will be evaluated based on your qualifications for this position as evidenced by the experience, education, and training you described in your application package, as well as the responses to the Assessment Questionnaire to determine the degree to which you possess the knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies listed below:

• Administration and Management
• Communication and Outreach
• Data Management

Your application, including the online Assessment Questionnaire, will be reviewed to determine if you meet (a) minimum qualification requirements and (b) the 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. Applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be among the best qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Noncompetitive candidates and applicants under some special hiring authorities need only meet minimum qualifications to be referred.

ICTAP applicants who meet the minimum qualification requirements and are determined to be well qualified will be referred to the hiring manager for consideration. Applicants eligible under the 30% disabled veteran authority must meet minimum qualifications to be referred. VEOA eligibles must meet minimum qualification requirements and be ranked among the best qualified candidates in order to be referred.

Note: If after reviewing your resume and/or supporting documentation, a determination is made that you have inflated your qualifications and or experience, your score may be adjusted to more accurately reflect your abilities, or you may be found ineligible. Please follow all instructions carefully. Errors or omissions may affect your rating. Providing inaccurate information on Federal documents could be grounds for non-selection or disciplinary action up to including removal from the Federal service.

Clicking the link below will present a preview of the application form; i.e. the online questionnaire. The application form link below will only provide a preview and does not initiate the application process. To initiate the online application process, click the "Apply" button to the right.

To view the application form, visit: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12940396

The following documents are required for your applicant package to be complete. Our office cannot be responsible for incompatible software, your system failure, etc. Encrypted documents will not be accepted. Failure to submit required, legible documents may result in loss of consideration.

• Resume that includes: Personal Information: name, address, contact information; Education; Work Experience related to this position as described in the major duties including work schedule, hours worked per week, dates of employment; title, series, grade (if applicable); other qualifications. Resume cannot exceed 2 pages.
• If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your college transcripts. An unofficial copy is sufficient with the application if it includes your name and the necessary course information; however, if you are selected, official transcripts will be required prior to entering on duty. Education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university. If any education was completed at a foreign institute, you must submit with your application evidence that the institute was appropriately accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as equivalent to U.S. education standards. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the NACES website. All transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
• Current and former Federal employees:
  • Most recent non-award Notification of Personnel Action (SF-50) showing you are/were in the competitive service, highest grade held (or promotion potential) on a permanent basis, position title, series and grade AND
  • Most recent performance appraisal (dated within 18 months) showing the official rating of record, signed by a supervisor, or statement why the performance appraisal is unavailable. A performance plan is not an acceptable substitute.
• Surplus or displaced employees eligible for CTAP, RPL, or ICTAP priority must provide: proof of eligibility (RIF separation notice, notice of proposed removal for declining a transfer of function or directed reassignment to another commuting area, notice of disability annuity termination), SF-50 documenting separation (as applicable), and your most recent SF-50 noting position, grade level, and duty location with your application per 5 CFR 330.

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