Agricultural Economist - Department Of Agriculture : Job Details

DutiesServes as Chairperson, Interagency Commodity Estimates Committee for assigned commodities; membership includes the Economic Research Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, Farm Service Agency, Agricultural Marketing Service, and other USDA agencies.Collaborates in hearings, inter-governmental and agricultural meetings, international conferences for commodity issues/problems for estimates, forecasts, and basic expertise in the production, processing, structuring, and pricing of commodities.Prepares agricultural and economic outlook estimates and forecasts for analytical and fiscal purposes.Develops commodity supply and use balance sheets, evaluating programs and estimating costs associated with alternative policies, legislative proposals, and program initiatives.Undertakes projects for the Secretary of Agriculture, the Chief Economist, and the WAOB relating to commodity supply and utilization estimates and forecasts, etc., affecting the performance /behavior of the agricultural domestic and foreign sectors.Maintains a broad range of knowledge, analytical skills, and expertise in computer techniques that enable development of sound commodity estimates and forecasts.Coordinate the interagency review and clearance of agricultural and economic analyses for internal use and public release.Coordinates interagency statistical and analytical commodity programs that undergird the Department's economic intelligence program.Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with key officials of the Department in order to fulfill the mission of WAOB.Requirements Conditions of EmploymentYou 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 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 time-in-grade (TIG) requirement of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled.Basic Requirement: This position requires applicants to meet basic requirements in addition to at least one year of specialized experience in order to be found minimally qualified. Applicants MUST meet the following occupational series basic requirement.Economist, 0110 SeriesDegree: economics, that included at least 21 semester hours in economics and 3 semester hours in statistics, accounting, or calculus.OR-Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in economics, as shown above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.Specialized Experience:GS 15: One year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-14 level in the Federal service or equivalent responsibility in the private sector/pay systems that has equipped the candidate with the particular competencies to successfully perform as an Agricultural Economist (Commodity Analyst for livestock, dairy and poultry) .For this position, specialized experience is possessing experience in the production, processing, market structure, and pricing of livestock, dairy and poultry; and experience preparing agricultural and economic outlook estimates and forecasts for analytical and fiscal purposes.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.Education This job does not have an education qualification requirement. Additional informationCareer Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP), Reemployment Priority List (RPL), or Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP, RPL. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP 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.Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Employees: Permanent County employees without prior Federal tenure who are selected for a Civil Service position under Public Law 105-277 will be given a career-conditional appointment and must serve a 1-year probationary period.If selected, you will be required to submit Form OGE-450 within 30 days of your initial appointment date, and annually thereafter. Selectee is subject to financial Disclosure Requirements in accordance with 5 CFR, Part 2635, Sub part E regarding business or personal transactions with applicants, borrowers, or business contacts who have or who are seeking business with this Agency. Selectee must be able to obtain and maintain a security clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a National Agency Check and Inquiry (NACI) and a credit report.This position may be eligible to telework up to four days per week, based upon the duties of the position. This position may also be eligible for flexible work arrangements as determined by agency policy and any applicable collective bargaining agreements. Help 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. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits. 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 offered.How You Will Be EvaluatedYou 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:LeadershipEconomic analysisPartneringYour 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: