Supervisory Agricultural Economist

Summary

This position is located with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Economic Research Service (ERS), Office of Food Markets, Kansas City, MO

In this position, you will serve as the Branch Chief of Food Access and Nutrition; planning, directing, and managing agricultural economic research, analysis, and information dissemination.

Duties

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• Analyze the consequences of public policies that relate to specialized work on food access and availability, food and nutrition assistance, food consumption, nutrition and health, and food safety and provide economic analyses on appropriate subjects.
• Target the dissemination of basic statistics and data, research findings, and policy analyses toward key client groups
• Manage several technically complex projects that involve selecting or developing the most appropriate and current research methodologies and apply them to complicated economic problems.
• Identify research activities and resources required to complete the work assigned to the branch.
• Serve as the focal point for research and analysis of appropriate topics and represent the branch within the department.
• Represent the branch, office, agency, and department in various high-level meetings concerning assigned areas of responsibility.
• Provide technical and administrative supervision to a staff of professional economists who perform work through participation in project teams led by team leaders.
• Consult with employees regarding training needs and submits final recommendations; keep employees informed regarding personnel and other administrative programs; and maintain morale, discipline, and constructive employee relations.

Requirements

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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.
• Successful completion of one-year probationary period, unless previously served. Refer to the Next Steps section for more information.
• Subject to one-year supervisory/managerial probationary period unless prior service is creditable. New USDA supervisors must successfully complete all components of the required training program before the end of their probationary period.
• Direct Deposit: Per Public Law 104-134 all Federal employees are required to have federal payments made by direct deposit to their financial institution.

Qualifications

Applicants must meet all qualifications and eligibility requirements by the closing date of the announcement including specialized experience and/or education, as defined below.

Basic Requirements:

Degree: 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.

AND

In addition to the basic requirements above, all applicants must also meet the following minimum qualification requirements:

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-15 includes one year of specialized experience comparable to the GS-14 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 serving as the primary author of influential papers, models, theories, or techniques that are widely recognized or adopted to advance the field of food, agriculture, diet and health, food markets, food assistance, or food security economics; and analyzing the results of public policies that relate to specialized areas such as food access and availability, food and nutrition assistance, food consumption, nutrition and health, and food safety.

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

Please see above for education qualification requirement information.

Additional information

Career 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, or ICTAP eligible. To exercise selection priority for this vacancy, CTAP/RPL/ICTAP candidates must meet the basic eligibility requirements and all selective factors. CTAP/ICTAP 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.

The Office of Personnel Management has granted Direct Hire Authority for positions. There is a critical hiring need, and these positions play an important role in research.

The USDA has authority to recruit and fill Permanent (Career/Career-Conditional) positions under Direct Hire Authority. Under this authority, any U.S. citizen may apply.

For more information on the Government-wide Direct Hire Authority positions click here

Recruitment or Relocation Incentive may be authorized. The final determination to pay an incentive will be made by the hiring official.

For information on benefits available to federal employees, please visit: https://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/Guide-Me/New-Prospective-Employees/ Please see the Benefits section below for additional information.

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.

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.

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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.