Deputy Administrator for Specialty Crops Program

Summary

This position is designated as SES Career-Reserved. USDA structures its SES positions into position levels. This is a position level 2 with a salary range of $204,122.00 - $216,010.00 per year. Exceptions to the salary cap may be considered in certain circumstances. SES employees are also eligible to receive bonuses and performance-based awards. Visit http://www.opm.gov/ses/ for additional information and benefits for SES employees.

Duties

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• As Deputy Administrator (DA), the incumbent leads the Specialty Crops Program within AMS, delivering grading, marketing, and information services to fruit, vegetable, nut, and other commodity customers nationwide.
• Participates fully with the Administrator and the Associate Administrator in developing, recommending, and directing programs, policies, and procedures.
• Oversees 600 geographically dispersed employees, covering inspection functions, standardization activities, market news reporting, research, promotion, marketing order oversight, PACA enforcement and domestic hemp production program administration.
• Ensures proper program and policy integration, working with and through national policy-making implementation structures and procedures, including interagency reviews, legislative processes, judicial review, and international coordination.
• Formulates and administers strategic plans and policies that supports the specialty crops industry and helps move our Nation's harvest into the marketplace.
• Represents the Program and the Department, providing expert counsel across specialty crops industry stakeholders, including national trade groups, members of Congress, interagency and foreign partners.
• Leads and directs organizational changes to ensure the integrity, customer responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, and efficiency of the Specialty Crops program.
• Oversees substantial user fee, appropriated funds, and reimbursable agreements across a large portfolio of private and state business partners, including management of complex inspection, billing processes, and licensing activities.
• Provides administrative and technical direction, coordination, and control in the execution of the approved policies and programs carried out by the headquarters organization and regional and field offices.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or National
• Veterans Preference is not applicable in the Senior Executive Service.
• Initial appointments are required to serve a 1-year probationary period.
• Background Investigation required.
• If you are a male applicant born after December 31, 1959, certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System or are exempt from having to do so.
• File a Financial Disclosure Report within 30 days of appointment and annually from then on.
• You may be required to obtain and maintain an interim and/or final security clearance prior to entrance on duty. Failure to obtain and maintain the required level of clearance may result in the withdrawal of a job offer or removal.
• May be subject to pre-employment and random drug tests

Qualifications

The application process used to recruit for this position is RESUME-ONLY. DO NOT submit separate Executive Core Qualifications/Technical Qualifications in lieu of a resume.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution. Candidates will not be hired based on their race, sex, color, religion, or national origin.

To meet the minimum qualification requirements for this position, you must show that you possess the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQ) and Technical Qualifications (TQ) related to this position within your resume - NOT TO EXCEED 2 PAGES using 0.8-inch margins and 11-point font. Resumes over the 2-page limit, will not be reviewed beyond page 2 or may be disqualified. Your resume should include examples of experience, education, and accomplishments applicable to the qualification(s). If your resume does not reflect demonstrated evidence of these qualifications, you may not receive consideration for the position.

There is NO requirement to prepare a narrative statement specifically addressing the Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs) or the Technical Qualifications (TQs).

EXECUTIVE CORE QUALIFICATIONS (ECQs): The ECQs were designed to assess executive experience and potential, not technical expertise. They measure whether an individual has the broad executive skills needed to succeed in a variety of SES positions. All applicants must address the ECQs. Your resume must address each ECQ and should describe your experiences and accomplishments/results. Your resume should be clear, concise, and emphasize your level of responsibilities, scope and complexity of programs managed, program accomplishments, policy initiatives undertaken and the results of your actions.

NOTE: Current career SES members, former career SES members with reinstatement eligibility, and SES Candidate Development Program graduates who have been certified by OPM do NOT need to address the ECQs.

1. Commitment to the Rule of Law and the Principles of the American Founding: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge of the American system of government, commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law, and commitment to serve the American people. (Competencies: Knowledge of the American System of Government, Commitment to the Rule of Law, Civic-Mindedness)

2. Driving Efficiency: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to strategically and sufficiently manage resources, budget effectively, cut wasteful spending, and pursue efficiency through process and technological upgrades. (Competencies: Fiscal Responsibility, Managing Resources, Leveraging Technology)

3. Merit and Competence: This core qualification involves the demonstrated knowledge, ability and technical competence to effectively and reliably produce work that is of exceptional quality. (Competencies: Technical Skills, Problem Solving, Agility and Resilience)

4. Leading People: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to lead and inspire a group toward meeting the organization's vision, mission, and goals, and to drive a high-performance, high-accountability culture. This includes, when necessary, the ability to lead people through change and to hold individuals accountable. (Competencies: Accountability, Developing Others, Executive Judgement)

5. Achieving Results: This core qualification involves the demonstrated ability to achieve both individual and organizational results, and to align results to stated goals from superiors. (Competencies: Operation Mindset, Innovation, Strategic Thinking)

For more information regarding the SES and ECQs, please visit SES Executive Core Qualifications.

TECHNICAL QUALIFICATION (TQ):

In addition to the ECQs, applicants must clearly demonstrate in their resume that they meet the following technical qualification(s).

1. Provide a comprehensive overview of your experience in developing, recommending, directing, and reviewing programs, policies, and procedures, to carryout functions and activities for the food and agricultural industries.

2. Describe your executive leadership experience in directing highly complex technical, financial, and administrative programs in a fast-paced setting; staffing and motivating a geographically dispersed organization to accomplish its goals; leveraging limited resources efficiently and effectively; and resolving complex managerial challenges for customers or stakeholders.

Additional information

Consideration for competitive selection for this position is open to all persons within the area of consideration who meet the basic qualifications. Race, color, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, political beliefs, religion, marital or family status, disability, and other non-merit factors will not be considered.

1. This position is covered under the post-employment restriction of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 (P.L. 95-521). This law also requires the selectee to file an Executive Personnel Financial Disclosure Report (Standard Form 278), within 30 days of appointment.

2. Applications sent in U.S. Government postage-paid envelope and submitted through Federal Agency courier services will not be considered.

3. The 1993 Hatch Act Reform Amendments prohibit oral and written political recommendations for Federal jobs.

4. Male applicants born after December 31, 1959, must be registered with the Selective Service System before they can be employed by an executive agency of the Federal government. This requirement does not apply to Agency employees appointed before November 8, 1985.

5. All application forms are subject to the provisions of the Privacy Act and become the property of USDA.

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

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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.