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.

• Collaborate with the Deputy Director and other Division Directors of the Institute to ensure the integration of functions, assure compliance of division work efforts with NIFA priorities, rules, regulations and operational procedures.
• Serve as supervisor and has leadership responsibility for the coordination and integration of multiple programs within and outside of NIFA.
• Manage programs by prioritizing activities, anticipate and resolve possible obstacles, and direct all program aspects.
• Serve as a staff expert and consultant providing leadership and direction for programs of national and/or international scope and impact.
• Administer programs by anticipating problem areas, recognizing emerging areas, develop new policies, procedures, and guidelines, and independently build/influence coalitions, new programs, and partnerships
• Maintain technical and disciplinary competence and keep abreast of emerging topics, trends, and issues in the field. Identify challenges and synthesizes information from a wide range of sources and broad experience.
• Incumbent has leadership responsibility for initiation and facilitation of networks, liaisons, and collaborations among high-level partners and stakeholders both within and outside NIFA.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of evaluation strategies and necessary response for areas of responsibility. Establish goals and objectives for program and oversees Division operating resources.
• Assign and monitor work, develop and maintain staff performance and training plans, evaluate performance, assess training needs, approve leave, reward performance accomplishments, and take disciplinary action when necessary.

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.
• Subject to a one year supervisory probation period unless previously completed.
• 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. (e.g., plant production and protection, including agronomy, entomology, integrated pest management, plant science, plant pathology, or weed science).

OR

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

AND

Specialized Experience
One (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-14 level; that included experience conducting or applying biological science disciplines to food or agriculture research, education or extension programs; leading multidisciplinary teams comprised of scientific professionals that administer programs relevant to the listed areas below; collaborating with scientific professionals to identify food and agriculture research, education, and extension priorities; and fostering partnerships between university scientists, government agencies, and industry.

Listed areas: Food and agricultural science areas include (but are not limited to): Plant production and protection, including agronomy, horticulture, entomology, plant pathology, IPM, weed science, and forestry

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 and a Structured Resume Review by subject matter experts.

Leadership and Supervision: Leads people toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals (acts decisively, leverages diversity and inclusiveness, demonstrates flexibility and resilience, fosters continuous improvement and innovation, develops others, fosters integrity and honesty); manages performance (communicates performance standards and expectations, gives timely and constructive feedback, provides and fosters excellent customer service, manages projects and functions).

External Awareness: Understands and keeps up to date on local, national, and international policies and trends that affect the organization and shape stakeholders' views; is aware of the organization's impact on the external environment.

Technical Competence: Uses knowledge that is acquired through formal training or extensive on-the-job experience to perform one's job; works with, understands, and evaluates technical information related to the job; advises others on technical issues.

Program Coordination: Organizes and coordinates groups of highly technical experts for the purpose of formulating, directing, and coordinating national research, education, and extension programs.

Planning and Evaluating: Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements; determines short- or long-term goals and strategies to achieve them; coordinates with other organizations or parts of the organization to accomplish goals; monitors progress and evaluates outcomes.

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.

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/12942586

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.
  • Resume must include the title, series, grade, and dates position was held for every position.
• 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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