Summary

This position is located in the Agricultural Marketing Service, Livestock and Poultry Program (L&P), Operations and Planning Program, Agricultural Analytics Branch. The program plans and directs the broad spectrum of administrative, budget, finance, safety and health, data management, and related discipline activities of the L&P Program. You will serve as the primary coordinator and execution lead for all modernization, operational, technical, and administrative projects across the L&P Program.

Duties

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• The duties described are for the full-performance level. At developmental grade levels, assignments will be of more limited scope, performed with less independence and limited complexity.
• The duties may include, but are not limited to:
• Leads, develops, and executes strategies for system development projects and quality assurance strategies for LP information systems by serving as the primary liaison between information technology (IT) and Livestock and Poultry.
• Develops and monitors progress against a project plan which identifies program milestones and associated tasking and time frames.
• Utilizes project management skills to lead, conduct and/or direct special studies, and high-level initiatives and coordinates with other experts as necessary.
• Gathers, documents, and prioritizes user requirements from a variety of stakeholders and investigates and evaluates alternative systems for the Program's systems/software development efforts.
• Develops and implements user rollout plans and leads training once completed systems/software projects are ready to deploy.
• Develops Standard Operating Procedures, business processes, and operational guidance across program.

Requirements

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Conditions of employment

• You must be a US Citizen or US National.
• Individuals who were born male 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. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• 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/.
• Prior to an official offer, selectee will be required to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) acknowledging/accepting that geographic mobility is a condition of employment. Failure to sign the MOU will result in withdrawal of the job offer.
• All USDA employees are required to be enrolled in Continuous Vetting, which authorizes government agencies to receive notifications of criminal activity on individuals who hold low risk, public trust, or national security positions.

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.

FOR THE GS-12 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-11 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Participating in the planning, development, and implementation of system/software projects by assisting in gathering and analyzing business requirements, preparing project plans, and supporting quality assurance activities for information systems.
• Supporting project execution and reporting by preparing interim and final reports, tracking milestones, and briefing leadership on project progress, issues, and results.
• Assisting with procurement and contract management activities by preparing acquisition documentation, monitoring contract deliverables, and ensuring compliance with federal procurement rules and policies.
• Participating in operational process improvement efforts by helping to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), business processes, and operational guidance across programs.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

FOR THE GS-13 LEVEL: Applicants must have one year of specialized experience (equivalent to the GS-12 level) that may have been obtained in the private or public (local, county, state, Federal) sectors which demonstrates:

• Leading and managing complex system/software development projects by independently gathering, documenting, and prioritizing user requirements, developing project plans, and ensuring successful execution of IT and non-IT workstreams.
• Serving as the primary liaison between IT teams, business stakeholders, and leadership to facilitate communication, negotiate requirements, resolve conflicts, and advocate for user needs in system/software development efforts.
• Managing procurement and contract administration for IT and operational projects by preparing and reviewing statements of work, monitoring acquisition activities, and ensuring timely execution and technical accuracy of deliverables.
• Developing and implementing operational improvements by creating SOPs, business processes, and operational guidance, and leading cross-functional teams to enhance program efficiency, effectiveness, and compliance.

Note: There is no education substitution for this grade level.

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 position does not have an education qualification requirement.

Additional information

• Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP) or Reemployment Priority List (RPL): Visit the OPM website for information on how to apply as a CTAP or RPL eligible. 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 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.
• First time hires to the federal government normally start at the lowest rate of the salary range for the grade selected.
• Travel, transportation, and relocation expenses may be authorized.
• Locality pay will vary based upon the selectee's duty location. A final salary determination will be made upon selection.
• Promotion Potential: If you are selected for a position with further promotion potential, you will be placed under a career development plan, and may be non-competitively promoted if you successfully complete the requirements and if recommended by management. However, promotion is neither implied nor guaranteed.
• The work is primarily sedentary but may require physical movement throughout the business office facilities as well as some lifting of books and files.
• Work is performed in a typical office setting with occasional travel for short durations.

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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.