About this role
Job SummaryThese positions are located in the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Office of Grants and Financial Management (OGFM), Policy and Oversight Division, Kansas City, Missouri. In this position, you will be an integral member of the Policy Branch assisting in establishing federal assistance policy and issuing solicitations for NIFA programs.
QualificationsApplicants 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. GS-09 Grade Level Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-09 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-07 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is assisting in researching and analyzing policy issues related to financial assistance administration (e.g. grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements); complying with policies and procedures related to financial administration; and assisting with coordination of activities to publish reports, notices, or documents. OR Education: Master's or equivalent graduate degree; OR two (2) full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree; OR LL.B. or J.D., if related. Related degrees include Finance, Mathematics, Accounting, Business Administration, or Business Management. OR Combination of specialized experience and education: To use this option, applicants must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the first year of graduate school. GS-11 Grade Level Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-11 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-09 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is managing financial reports; analyzing policy issue agreements; and providing input for draft policies and procedures, reports, or notices. OR Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree; OR 3 full years of progressively higher-level graduate education leading to such a degree, OR LL.M., if related. Related degrees include Finance, Mathematics, Accounting, Business Administration, or Business Management. OR Combination of specialized experience and education: To use this option, applicants must have a combination of specialized experience and education beyond the second year of graduate school. GS-12 Grade Level Specialized Experience: Specialized experience is experience directly related to the position to be filled. The specialized experience requirements for this position are: Qualifying experience for GS-12 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-11 which is directly related to the work of this position, and which has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position. For this position, specialized experience is managing financial agreements; assisting with financial, compliance, and administrative reviews; researching and analyzing policy issues and legislative developments affecting various types of grants, agreements, or special projects; and drafting policies and procedures, reports, or notices. 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.
Major DutiesAssist with interpreting and analyzing broad legislative authorities and departmental regulations related to financial assistance and program implementation.Provide day-to-day advice and consultation to a wide variety of managers, grants and agreement staff, or other leadership staff on an assortment of issues associated with federal financial assistance topics and issues.Assist in analyzing, assessing, and making appropriate recommendations (after consulting with supervisor) on issues and initiatives relating to assistance activities.Assist in modifying business processes, policies, and procedures as necessary.Assist in assessing proposed and newly enacted legislation, regulations, or policies relating to grants, agreements and assistance, and other program related issues.Identify new legislation and regulations and determine applicability to the program, in consultation with staff.RequirementsYou 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. 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/. As a condition of employment for accepting this position, you will be required to serve a 1-year probationary period or 2-year trial period depending on your appointment type, unless previous federal service is creditable. During this time your employment will be evaluated, and we may consider: your performance and conduct, the needs and interests of the agency, whether your continued employment would advance organizational goals of the agency or the Government, and whether your continued employment would advance the efficiency of the Federal service. Upon completion of your probationary or trial period your employment will be terminated unless you receive certification, in writing, that your continued employment advances the public interest.